A resource for Europe

“In an era in which many people are perceiving the signs of a crisis, affecting not only the economy and the financial sector but also values and the meaning of life, religious education can be crucial”, declared Cardinal Péter Erdo, archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and CCEE President in his address delivered at the Council of Europe on the occasion of a Round Table dedicated to the teaching of religion in Europe. Strasbourg was also the venue of the presentation of a research on the teaching of religion in schools across Europe, promoted by the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe and supported by Italy’s Bishops’ Conference. To this regard, Cardinal Erdo declared: “the Church believes it is her duty to continue educating the youth, doing her utmost to provide them with qualified education. Since religion is innate in men’s lives, the teaching of religion ought to be provided for in academic environments, i.e. schools and all contemporary aeropagus. We believe that the contribution of Churches in general, and of the Catholic religion in particular, gives life a new perspective and a larger horizon, making it more human and capable of generating solidarity and hope within society”.A contribution to learn more about Europe’s cultural tradition. The Church can give her contribution “to the erection of the new Europe and to the development of full European citizenship also with religion teaching in academic environments”, Msgr. Mariano Crociata, CEI Secretary General, stated in his address. European citizenship also encompasses the knowledge of the cultural traditions and identities that marked our Continent, that are ever more interlaced, in the framework of plural, multi-cultural and multi-religious Europe.” “We wish to witness the implementation of the union of States and peoples. This union doesn’t stem from government provisions and market needs only, it stems from shared values, ideas and objectives. Dialogue, reception and respecting identities: these attentions and behaviours can substantiate European citizenship that ought to be promoted with educational efforts throughout our Countries’ school environments. Religion teaching in schools finds its raison d’être in this effort of education”. It proposes a “place for learning that is open to everyone”, and a “valid contribution providing knowledge on Western society, whose century-long historical tradition was deeply marked by Christianity”.Not distant, but vital roots. “Religion teaching is a resource for Europe inasmuch as it doesn’t represent an ‘archaeological’ finding with age-old roots. Rather, it is a living element inscribed within the Church communities that live the Gospel in contemporary Europe”. With these words, father Vincenzo Annicchiarico, director of CEI’s Service for the Teaching of the Catholic Religion, presented the research on RT in Europe. “With the teaching of religion in schools, in favour of the youth, the local Churches intend to promote the integral formation of individuals, thus contributing to the social and civil formation of European citizens to come”. Father Annichiarico said the research reports on an atmosphere that is often averse to religion teaching, and that “questions its legitimate inclusion within school programs, set against the background of a culture that views religion as pertaining to the private sphere”. Hence the request for “a full citizenship” of religion teaching in schools with “firmly established institutional and juridical guarantees, full academic recognition, introduction in school programs, open to all, consistent and coherent options and recognized and effective evaluation”. “Living together is far more than existing together”. According to Jan Figel’, member of the European Commission and holder of the portfolio for education, training and youth, this is not just a slogan: it’s “a challenge and a commitment in view of the new humanism for which Europe has ever more need”. “We need – said Figel’ – to work towards a European citizenship in which religion and responsibility, as the fathers of Europe taught, are the two sides of the same coin”. And it is in this perspective that the contribution of the Catholic faith is placed: it is – he insisted – “very important for promoting a society of knowledge that is also a society of wisdom and of dialogue between diversities”. “For knowledge in itself – added the EU Commissioner – is not enough to improve the world: we also need to transmit and share those values on which the dignity of the human person is based and developed”. Referring to the CCEE survey on the teaching of Catholic religion in Europe, Figel’ underlined the need to “support hope” and avoid the risk of the European citizen feeling “lost” and ending up as a prey to “scepticism”.