Christian erosion and laicism ” “

“It has been observed that the formal legal and Constitutional framework in Europe’s nation states ideally ensures fundamental freedoms for all”, which include the freedom of worship and of faith. “But increasing flaws are seen in the enforcement of the Rule of law” along with the “progressive erosion of legal systems, stripped of their ethical foundations first and then of their content”. It is a snapshot of the face of surging secularism in Europe, accompanied by increasing laicism. We are witnessing the slow, constant growth of this phenomenon which through amendments, administrative measures and court rulings confines religion to the intimate sphere of individual conscience and nation States to the sphere of “absolute neutrality”, even without the adoption of new laws or changes in the Constitution. It is the outcome of an in-depth survey conducted by CCEE, with the purpose of identifying prevailing forms of secularity in European societies meant to establish whether the question of God is present in public debate and in the social life in European countries and how it is dealt with. The survey was presented during the recent plenary assembly in Bratislava. CCEE had previously sent to all 39 Bishops’ Conferences representing the continent’s 44 countries a form with thirteen questions regarding national Constitutions’ legal framework, and on the teaching of natural sciences, history and literature in schools. Other questions focused on university environments, public administration, health policies and politics. The results of the 300-page survey was interpreted and summarized by Emilia Hrabovec, history professor at the faculty of theology of the Komensky University in Bratislava, according to whom the answer to the questionnaires show that “until society preserves the foundations of Christian moral conscience and basic Christian consensus, also an imperfect legal framework can ensure freedom of action for the Catholic Church”. She shared her reflections with Danka Jaceckova, for Sir Europe.  Which findings deserve special emphasis in terms of the Church’s position at national level and across Europe as a whole? “It can be said that the position of the Catholic Church is formally enshrined across the legal systems of European countries. But all nation States have experienced a certain degree of internal erosion of their legal system. Existing laws are subject to new interpretations. We also registered certain froms of ideological secularism aimed at alienating – directly or indirectly – national and religious identities in Europe”. Could you give us some concrete examples?”In the teaching of history, for example, it has been noted that often the Church is portrayed from a purely negative angle as the enemy of progress. In academic environments, while naturally no teacher is asked his religious belief, informal barriers are erected when faith is expressed. These barriers become limits to accessing various fields of research, external cooperation, and requests for funding. Policymakers’ approach to the religious realm has equally been surveyed and the results show that also Catholic politicians lack an overall understanding, knowledge and familiarity with the social doctrine of the Church, which is hardly ever applied”. Is the Church in Europe aware of these tendencies and facts? “The level of awareness of these problems is explicit. The Church’s diagnosis of this situation is clear. It does not indulge in a sort of tame naiveté. On the contrary, it is fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead. For example, in the past the conflict between faith and reason was marked by controversies over natural sciences, while today widespread debates focus on so-called social sciences, whose materialistic views contradict human understanding of Christian teaching, and become a tool of militant laicism”. What’s the best way to address this situation? “In my opinion Catholic lay people such as myself should rid themselves of their worries and fears and be consistent with our identity. We should fully express our beliefs and open up to a broader knowledge of Church social doctrine, putting it into practice in our every day lives”.