A clear sign

“The issue of protection of religious freedom and Christian people in the world should be tabled at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the EU, due on 21 February”. The request is contained in a letter to Baroness Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union sent in conclusion to their meeting by the members of the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC: a fellowship of Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches) and of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE). The underlying theme of the annual meeting, held in Belgrade 18 to 20 February, was National Identity and European integration: the contribution of Christians. Persecuted Christians. At the meeting, CCEE and CEC representatives addressed the issue of religious freedom, “a right and a value that every democratic society should be open to promoting and safeguarding”. In this spirit, the members of the Joint Committee have decided to draft and send a letter to Baroness Catherine Ashton, requesting that “a clear sign is given also regarding decisions on common policies displaying the engagement of the European Union for the defence of religious freedom for those of all faiths throughout the world”. “The reference to the persecution of Christians, the urgency of which has been proven by recent events (particularly in the Middle East, in Iraq) cannot be forgotten or buried by abstract and fruitless policies. Western countries where specific relations with areas where persecution exists should show their concrete commitment in protecting all those who are persecuted due to their faith, whichever that faith may be”. From the meeting “the conviction emerged that every human being is endowed with non-negotiable dignity”, states the press release. Such dignity derives from having been created in the likeness of God, in Himself a communion of persons”. “Therefore the human person is not limited to the individual dimension, but also intrinsically enjoys a social being”. In this context, continue the representatives of Christian Churches, “religious freedom cannot mean relegating the religious dimension to private life”. Ecumenism. Ecumenism was a major theme broached during the meeting in Belgrade. “As Christians we have a specific contribution to offer in Europe. And we hope that ecumenism, as a space where traditions, communities and persons meet, may always be able to grow and to witness the engagement of Christians in their attempt to keep alive the love which make us followers of Jesus, in order that we may become agents in building true peace rooted in the hearts of peoples and nations”. Ecumenism must be viewed as “a space for encounter and dialogue both on a personal level and that of communities wishing to undertake a journey towards a deeper unity, a journey involving the identity rooted in every one of us and which enables us to discover the gifts of others”, participants said, and added: “This requires continuing conversion. Without all this the unity of the Church will always be an unrealistic aspiration”. This year recurs the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Charta Oecumenica (April 22 2001). The Ecumenical Institute of the University of Freiburg (Switzerland) will hold on May 9 a meeting titled Ecclesial Communion in Europe. Economic crisis and the Roma. CCEE and CEC equally addressed the ongoing economic crisis, underlining how “without solidarity and other values the discovery and preservation of which are the result of an pilgrimage of faith, Europe will never be able to reach overall development. It is correct to say that the economic crisis has in fact placed before countries the challenge of having to choose between protectionism and solidarity. We are certain that only when we are sure of our identity are we able to recognise the value of others and the importance of ties promoting mutual assistance.” Europe thus also needs the contribution of Christians. “Faith helps us to love our identity and those who are our own, and at the same time opens our hearts to others and encourages us to take that all-important step towards anyone who is in need”. Regarding the Roma population in Eastern Europe, CCEE and CEC have agreed to begin a common process of reflection on the issue of Roma people coming from EU member states (Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria), where they represent a strong minority group. “This process will avail itself of experts in the field and aims at promoting concrete initiatives allowing on the one hand for a more effective integration in their country of origin, and on the other to change the mistaken perception they are often subject to in Europe”, affirmed the members of the Joint Committee.