Front row

Faith and religious communities in Europe: a theme that is frequently given major relevance in public discourse and which is also at the centre of political, cultural and ecclesial debate. "Political" Europe (at national and continental level) and religious communities (whose majority still is Christian, with increasing numbers of faithful from other religions) are engaged in mutual dialogue, although relations undergo alternate phases. In the past few days the Catholic Church devoted her attention to the building of a Europe "united in diversity", whose political commitment, capable of addressing global challenges – notably the ongoing economic crisis, which is posing a threat to the single currency, as well as to workers, families, and social cohesion – is widely acknowledged. The presidents of the bishops conferences gathered in St. Gallen from September 27-30 will debate the path of integration. CCEE, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, addresses the social and spiritual aspects of the major themes of our times – hence the title of the meeting -; as well as the discrimination of Christians in Europe and across the world, with an overview of European Union and the Council of Europe initiatives. Occasions such as this are often addressed by COMECE, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community seated in Brussels (with the recent contribution on Horizon 2020 and the ethical aspects of research in the EU) in the reunions of the bishops of the member countries and through seminars and conferences promoted by lay Catholic bodies, by Christian-inspired associations, in the "Catholic Social Weeks" or in Catholic universities. On September 25 the Catholic Church promoted a "Mass for Europe" in Brussels, while Eucharistic celebrations are held every Sunday in the seats of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. A debate on the COMECE initiative is scheduled to take place on October 2, regarding Christians’ discrimination and religious freedom in Europe. Church bodies’ attention for European activities include the recent decisions pronounced by the two European Courts (the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg), providing interpretations or rulings which appear contradictory, on issues linked to human dignity, to rights and fundamental freedoms. Similarly, Church bodies follow civil and societal issues that impact the spiritual lives of individuals, their way of thinking and their behaviour (such as the theme of religious symbols) in the relations between individuals, including affective relations, relations with parents and in the family. In particular, the EU’s positive – yet occasionally thwarted – political development, has gradually managed to establish new forms of dialogue with religious communities. Notably, Art.17 of the Treaty of Lisbon stipulates an open, structured and transparent dialogue with European Churches, whose highlight is the annual meeting between EU leaders and religious dignitaries (representing Christian, Muslim, Jewish and other world faiths). Another occasion that is gaining grounds, owing to the same Treaty, which came into force at the end of 2009, is the so-called ‘citizens’ initiative’, namely, the opportunity of presenting the Commission with the request, endorsed by one million signatures, to undertake a legislative process in areas that fall within EU province. "One of us" is the citizens’ initiative presented by a large number of pro-life movements to extend "juridical protection of the dignity, the right to life and of the integrity of every human being from conception in the areas of EU competence in which such protection is of particular importance". In a nutshell, the invitations to the EU presented by European religions, firstly by the Catholic Church, to promote greater participation and responsibility, may be summarized in three major themes. These are: the concept of the family (encompassing affective and educational relations within the marriage as well as measures for the protection of the family across Member States, improved services to families with children, fiscal cuts, work-family balance etc.); the protection of life in all stages and expressions; and thirdly, the presence of religions in the public realm (rights, duties, cultural and political dialogue, education, solidarity, environment and the defence of the Creation, educating to civic responsibility and mutual respect, openness to the world…). In all of these issues Christians can play a significant role by bringing constructive elements and testimonies of universal values, overcoming diffidence or complaints, so as to act as a prophetic voice and a constructive presence in contemporary Europe.