Brexit Day. Cardinal Vincent Nichols: “No nation can thrive in isolation”

“I think that many people in the United Kingdom are coping with a combination of anxiety and enthusiasm today.” Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, Vice-President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) takes the floor. Today is B-day, marking the official divorce of the United Kingdom from the European Union, informed in a letter signed by British Premier Theresa May. British Ambassador Tim Barrow personally handed the letter triggering article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to Donald Tusk, whereby the UK officialised its intention to leave Europe. Thus begins the countdown of London’s farewell, scheduled for March 29 2019, at the end of two years of negotiations. Cardinal Nichols is presently in Barcelona taking part in a European Symposium on young people. He promptly commented that his Country was divided since the launching of the referendum: “Some groups protested, but many people said OK, since the decision has been taken we need to move on.” He added: “the next two years will be important, and I think it is unlikely to see sudden changes in the short run.” Two hanging issues: “The economic and financial repercussions” of the decision of leaving the EU and “the question of the movement of people across borders that are bound to change. In particular, there is the delicate issue involving Eire and Northern Ireland.”

What should we expect next? Obviously no decisions will be taken in the coming two years. We need to wait. But it should be pointed out that England does not want to leave Europe. The issue at stake is the European Union. In my opinion two factors in particular have played an important role. First of all, the feeling of distance and separation that citizens have constantly perceived from Brussels and Strasbourg. Second, the way in which the European Union has addressed the question of diversity.

It was perceived like a system created with the purpose of decreasing diversity and imposing uniformity.

What are your hopes? As a nation we still have a place in Europe and we are part of the common European project. We intend to be good neighbours for European Countries. As Churches we can give a substantial contribution in this respect. We have ties with the Catholic Churches of other European nations, and most of all, we bear common witness to the fact that

No nation can thrive in isolation.

The attack on Westminster risk strengthening populisms and policies calling for further barriers. Is this how the fight on terrorism can be won?

As regards the attack on Westminster it is evident that what has happened has absolutely nothing to do with the borders issue.

The attacker was born and raised in England. Indeed, he did spend a long period in Arabia and eventually converted to Islam. But it should be said that he had a long history of violence. He was sentenced to prison 5 or 6 times, and those who knew him describe him as a very angry person. Thus this incident should be viewed and interpreted in its proper context. But it’s clear that every government has the responsibility of ensuring vigilance and protection.

What lesson can be drawn for the future?  There is an important lesson to be learnt, namely the community should be prevented from falling into isolation. I firmly believe that people of faith have a lot to offer. Dialogue between people who believe in God creates a common ground. From this perspective religious leaders have the moral duty to communicate, to meet, to jointly search for common solutions, to address the question of belief that spirals into extremism and violence. But we should pay heed not to confine faith to the private sphere as it contributes to further isolating communities and fails to advance the development of inclusive societies. In this respect, for example, the tradition of the Holy See of sending messages of good wishes to the different Muslim or Hindu communities is important. In fact in many areas of England our priests convey those messages to the various communities, which promotes the building of relations.

Next week I will be leading a delegation of four Muslim leaders from England for a private audience with Pope Francis to reaffirm the commitment of religious leaders in the furthering of mutual relations.

Whence should we restart? It is interesting to analyse in detail what happened last Wednesday in Westminster. Four people have died. The attacker has died. It all happened in 82 seconds from beginning to end; 82 seconds in which we saw the worst side of human nature, but we also saw the best side. At a short distance from Westminster Bridge there is a hospital. The healthcare workers and the doctors of that hospital weren’t afraid to run to the scene of the attack to assist casualties and administer first aid. Also the reaction of bystanders was courageous. They reacted positively. We have to restart from here, from our best side. People with 12 different nationalities were among the 40 who were wounded. That’s what we are in the United Kingdom: we are all different. My diocese includes 60 different ethnic communities.

Let’s start again from what we are: people with a very generous nature in a multicultural society.

Thus there are many strong points that can mark a fresh start. And I firmly believe that that is what we will do. Of course there is fear. But the good leaderships are those that help people transform fear into something positive, not those who manipulate it for political purposes.