Open confrontation

The June editorial of Europe Infos, the monthly magazine published by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) in conjunction with the Jesuit European Office (OCIPE), presents a critical status quaestionis by English Jesuit Fr. Frank Turner on the institution of the External Action Service (news report by SIR Europe 41/2010), while Stefan Lunte draws a balance of Europe’s handling of the crisis in Greece. With reference to the Year on Poverty, the 2020 European Strategy is addressed along with the unsuccessful achievement of the 25% poverty reduction target. The subject of GMOs and stepping up cooperation in the area of divorce are equally addressed. Moreover, the magazine presents two recent documents released by the COMECE secretariat regarding the negotiations on nuclear non-proliferation programs along with a memorandum on religious freedom. The report on the meeting themed “Christians for Europe” held May 9 closes the issue.Religious freedom. The COMECE bishops have approved the memorandum themed “Religious freedom, foundation of human rights policy in the external relations of the EU”, that conveys the concerns over the violations and religious persecutions in the world. In reality the EU Council resolution (11.16.2009) inscribes the defence of religious freedom within the fundamental rights deserving enforcement. Such measure is unprecedented, although – the bishops state in the Memorandum – it represents “the cornerstone of all human rights”. The bishops urge European institutions to provide for the enforcement of these rights in non-EU States marked by EU relations and by jointly ratified agreements, namely Pakistan. The document, summarised by Vincent Legrand, presents a long list of recommendations and asks EU institutions to be engaged in this field in accordance with the responsible authorities. European Parliament Inter-parliament delegations are requested to devote an item of their daily agenda to the violations of such rights by non-EU States; the EU high representative for foreign affairs is urged to ensure that SEAE devotes a “religious” panel tasked with addressing the enforcement of this liberty. Furthermore, the Memorandum prescribes that within the framework of the enforcement of art.17 of the Lisbon Treaty religious freedom be given a primary role in the agenda on Church-EU Institutions relations. GMOs: the debate is open. President Barroso has shown his determination to follow up evaluation and endorsement of the so-called “responsible innovation”, namely GMO technology. This is the case of the Amflora high-starch potato authorized by the Commission past March, 12 years after the last authorization. Those who are against GMOs refer, among other things, to the hanging question of GMOs’ impact on human beings and on the environment along with the unacceptable GMO dependence imposed on farmers, as explains José Ignacio Garcia. In contrast with USA, China and India, Europe has not yet applied a “de facto moratorium” on GMOs. Stepping up cooperation in the area of divorce. “According to EU data, 13% of marriages in the EU are ‘international’ (couples from different nationalities, couples that live separated in different countries or which live in a Country different from their Country of origin)”, writes Joanna Lopatowska. In all these cases the Council has never managed to approve a regulation defining responsibilities and enforceable laws. The Commission has thus decided to follow the procedure of reinforced cooperation. Austria, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia and Spain have asked to undertake this procedure for marriages, proposing rules in case of conflict between differing national legislations, without interfering with or overlapping national legislation. The main objective, Lopatowska explains, “is to defend the weaker spouse in the case that the partner submits a divorce petition to a more favourable legislative authority”. The juridical procedure for the approval of stepped up cooperation must be brought to completion. Christians’ contribution to the European building. The French dioceses of Metz and Verdun celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Schuman declaration with a European ecumenical meeting, conceived as a “pilgrimage” and an occasion for reflection on the contribution of Christian believers to the European building, taking the figure of Schumann as the point of departure, explains Hervé Pierre Guillot. Three days were devoted to cultural events, ecumenical celebrations and debate. At the centre of reflection lies the contribution of Eastern Countries to European fraternity. Guillot draws a positive balance of the meeting, from which there emerged the contributions that Christians can give to Europe, especially in the direction of authentic fraternity.