Common values

“Each Member State, and the European Union on the whole, should be capable of welcoming religious reality”, “its specific role in social construction” and in “the promotion of the intercultural dimension”, acknowledging that “in this process, political, economic and social stances are not enough”. The statement was delivered on June 2 by Archbishop Antonio Maria Vegliò, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrant and Itinerant people as part of his address on “Shared values in the framework of the religious and social impact of migrations” during the Conference on Christian-Jewish-Muslim Dialogue, promoted in the semester of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Conference took place June 1 to 3 at the Royal Castle of Gödöllö, near Budapest, Hungary. The Conference was attended by Cardinal Peter Erdo, President of the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences, as well as by ministers, ambassadors, high dignitaries from the three religions and scholars. Msgr. Vegliò prolonged his stay in Hungary from 1 to 6 June for a pastoral visit on the invitation of Msgr. János Székely, head of the Pastoral for Human Mobility of the Hungarian Bishops’ Conference. The importance of the places of worship. Underlining that “religions represent one of the most important expressions of a cultural identity” Msgr. Vegliò pointed out that places of worship “have a primary mission to fulfil in the social integration of migrants, as they provide a Community space whilst establishing networks of relations and channelling economic and social resources”. This is all the more true considering that migrants experience the difficulty of “having to live their religious faith and their cultural values in a new and different context as compared to the environment of their countries of departure. This could trigger disorientation and insecurity. There ensues, claimed the archbishop, “that the places of worship in the countries of arrival, as they are untainted by ghettoization and isolation, must promote openness” to the stranger”. According to Msgr. Vegliò places of worship “promote integration, inasmuch as they will be open to the cities and neighbourhoods in which they are present, promoting the establishment of relations, encouraging projects of cooperation and promoting dialogue at all levels with other religions, with civil associations and institutions”.Integration is not a one-way path. As regards integration, Msgr. Vegliò underlined, “it’s not a one-way process. Autochthonous populations and migrants must show that they are ready to undertake journeys of dialogue and mutual enrichment, that enable to evaluate and welcome the positive aspects of everyone”. This process must “take into account the respect for the cultural identity of the migrant person, as the point of departure of a sort of adaptation between the cultural traditions of the autochthonous populations and their own”. Two tools are indispensable in the promotion of interculturality: “Dialogue and education”. Dialogue, he said, “must be viewed as the most important tool to be used in relations, and in every area of human life”. However, the archbishop pointed out, “there is a serious problem: in order to welcome those who arrive into Europe and for the benefit of a constructive dialogue with them, Europe has concealed the principles and the values that have marked her birth and shaped her development. The European continent has silenced or denied its Christian roots”. This, continues the prelate, “prevents adequate the reception along with the true integration of migrants from a different cultural background, since for them it’s impossible to establish a dialogue with a land without a face and a history, a land without common principles and fundamental values”. According to Msgr. Vegliò, another reason for the “failure” of the reception of migrants in the European continent is due to the fact “that it was carried out in a passive way and it was justified by a yearning for tolerance”. “On several occasions – he remarked – we mistake the concept of tolerance with the a-critical acceptance of all lifestyles, starting with unlimited respect and refraining from making whatsoever criticism to their regard”.The path of intercultural education. Msgr. Vegliò thus highlighted the value of intercultural dialogue, addressed both to “the majority culture, and to minorities alike”, with the following objectives: “teaching the respect and the appreciation of various cultures, discovering mutual positive traits; changing the behaviours of fear or indifference towards diversity; educating to welcome, equality, freedom and non-discrimination; countering generalizations, prejudice, stereotyping, overcoming individualism and isolation of closed groups”.