With greater courage

With the interview to Msgr. Zbignevs Stankevics, Metropolitan archbishop of Riga (Latvia), continues the special SIR Europe series on the reflections of European bishops regarding the European integration process and Church thought on the common European home (Cf. SIR Europe 62-63-64-65-66-67-69-71-75).What do Latvian Catholics think and expect of the EU? “Catholics’ opinions vary, there are euro-scepticals and euro-enthusiasts. Catholics in Latvia appear to have concerns regarding the EU, namely, as relates to the directives that promote minorities’ rights, notably homosexuals’. A couple of months ago, the United Nations delivered a recommendation to Latvia prompted by Great Britain and Spain through the United Nations, against the discrimination of homosexuals and calling for the recognition of their rights. The country’s Catholics, representing 20% of the overall population, are concerned about this and other similar issues, as we perceive it as a new dictatorship. We have been in the USSR and for us now it’s hard to accept that someone decides things that regard us on our behalf. That’s why we want to be part of the EU, but at the same time we are worried about the fact that occasionally central institutions address realms that do not lie within their provinces, stripping us of a part of our autonomy and sovereignty”. Public opinion is grounded on correct information. Do you think that in your reality there is appropriate information on the EU institutions and on European Churches?“There isn’t enough information. A large part of the population has other interests and other problems and they don’t care about these issues. As for European Churches, it is widely believed that the Church in Western countries is experiencing a Christian identity crisis”.How can the Church in your Country contribute to the European Union? “We have some treasures that were preserved from the old Christian tradition, which we could re-propose to the Church in Europe. Our people confess, quite regularly, they gladly go to Adoration, chapels are increasingly attended for perpetual adoration, and religious practices bring about a contemplative atmosphere. Every year there is the pilgrimage to our most important shrine. And that day, August 15, was recognized by the state as an event of national importance, thus public order services are ensured, and also the president takes part, although he is not Catholic, along with high-ranking public authorities. 70 000 people attended this year! For a country like Latvia, with less than two million inhabitants, it’s a great number. At the same time there is a strong tradition of pilgrimages. We can re-propose these traditions to the Churches of other European countries. We have many prayer movements, two years ago I counted them, there were as many as 23 all together. Ours is a small Church, but it has thriving centres of Christian life. In my diocese there has been a generation turnover, and there are many young priests. There was a fall in vocations in the EU accession period, in 2005, but now the situation is gradually recovering”.What is the balance of the work of European churches in the EU? “I think that this is the right direction, but I also think that Christian Churches should be more courageous; without trying to be always politically correct; proclaiming the truth and carrying out this prophetic service, without fear. I also think that our service should primarily be the presence of God. We cannot convince others only by means of human wisdom and with being polite. An interior contact is needed, a living bond with God that operates in history and in society. If not, everything become just activism. This gives us the ability for discernment and strength, the internal condition to propose our message. I sometimes think that Christians in Europe are afraid and remain silent instead of proudly reaffirming that we have a treasure that others are lacking”.