Curb populism

“We notice a significant increase of movements and tendencies with ‘populist’ characteristics in countries throughout the EU”; it’s a “complex phenomenon” which “we are deeply concerned by”. European bishops launched a clear message at the end of the Autumn Plenary Assembly of COMECE (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European community) and underlined that populism, along with certain forms of extreme regionalism and nationalism ‘tend to divide society” undermining “social cohesion and solidarity”. “Christians are not immune”. The document released at the end of the plenary (November 24-26), states that populism discriminates “against the weakest in society” and minorities, “offering the illusion of simplistic solutions to complex problems”. “In particular – Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich-Freising, COMECE vice-president, told SIR Europe – we are concerned about the development of these tendencies in certain Countries and about the fact that Christians are not immune”. In response to this “cultural and social drift” COMECE underlines the need to “promote intercultural dialogue in fraternity and truth”, to “encourage Christians to further civil and social engagement at the service of their neighbour”. “Populism – add the bishops – is the very opposite of the European idea” and “it is truly incompatible with the universal vocation of the Church”.Solidarity in the EU. Along with the phenomenon of surging populism during the plenary assembly the COMECE bishops addressed a number of other themes such as the ongoing economic crisis, religious freedom in Europe and in the world, and the Catholics’ Social Days, held for the first time in Gdansk in October 2009. “The next edition of the Days – explained Msgr. Piotr Jarecki , auxiliary bishop of Warsaw, COMECE vice-president -, could take place in 2013. For the occasion two sites are being considered: a city in Western Europe and a city in a new EU Member Country”. Msgr. Jarecki thus presented the minutes of the Days held last year in Gdansk, titled “Solidarity, a challenge for Europe”, and said: “It is necessary to compare the principle of solidarity with its effective practice” in everyday life and in national and European policies. “Solidarity – pointed out the Polish bishop – must take place among individuals and across generations, among European States and populations, as well as between Europe and the rest of the world”.Credible witnesses. Returning to the theme of populism Msgr. Adrianus Van Luyn, COMECE president, bishop of Rotterdam, explained: “Christians live in societies amidst other men and women. They perceive the international tensions and fears caused by the economic crisis, by unemployment” and by other social and cultural factors. “Thus also believers are drawn towards simplistic solutions”. “As Christians facing populism we have a twofold task”, continues Msgr. Van Luyn. “The first regards our capacity, as believers, to live according to the Gospel and to create Christian communities that will clearly bear witness” to the Christian message. “We must be willing to sustain an open dialogue towards civil society, towards other Christian confessions and religions”. Religious freedom. To the theme of religious freedom COMECE devoted the report “Religious Freedom, Pillar of the Human Rights Policy in the External Relations of the European Union”, presented by the Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus Msgr. Youssef Soueif. “It is a fundamental theme not only Europe, but also in the Middle East” and in world regions. “Religious freedom is an essential part of human life, and as such, it must be protected” and promoted at the level of civil society, in “the dialogue among Churches and faiths” and by “political institutions”. The European Parliament recently adopted a resolution which denounces acts of violence against Christians in Iraq and demands religious freedom: what do you think? “We welcome the Parliamentary resolution”, responds Msgr. Soueif to SIR Europe. Christians’ presence “in the Middle East is a positive sign and a witness of peace for everyone. But the freedom of worship, although it is stipulated in Constitutions and legislations, ought to be implemented in everyday life”. “Moreover, also in other nations, starting from Palestine – continues Soueif -, the Christian population must be encouraged not to leave, as a sign of hope for all”.