” “Open frontiers

Concluding his Angelus address on Sunday 8 December, John Paul II invited Christians to pray for “the political authorities meeting in Copenhagen” on 12 and 13 December to conclude the negotiations for the membership of ten new countries of the European Union. “This continent – commented the Pope – may thus be enriched with the contribution of the cultural and religious traditions that, through the centuries, have bequeathed us a precious common heritage of civilization. May God enlighten all Europeans to be united, and continue to offer faith and hope also to other peoples”. On the question of enlargement we put some questions to Bishop Amédée Grab of Chur in Switzerland, president of the Council of the European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE). What significance does EU enlargement have for the Churches? “From the point of view of the Church and of the CCEE in particular, Europe has always been united. So the concept of enlargement per se is not one we particularly cherish, because it is linked to a specific political project. What the churches are dedicated to, as also affirmed in the third part of the Charta Oecumenica – Guidelines for the growth of collaboration between the Churches in Europe – is “a human and social Europe, in which human rights, and the basic values of peace, justice, freedom, tolerance, participation and solidarity are championed”. It would be terrible if the processes of constructing the enlarged European Union were to build new walls and create distinctions between premier league and second league countries. Unification must be achieved in such a way that the diversity of riches and contributions emerge in a common context. Nonetheless the Churches are conscious that enlargement is an historic event that closes a chapter in European history and opens a new one, with enormous potential for peace and justice. That is in conformity with the values of the Gospel and with the perspective of the “brotherhood” typical of our faith. For this reason the Churches support the current political course of Europe”. What contributions can the Churches make to the process of EU enlargement? “Enlargement arouses dreams, hence expectations, but also doubts, in the minds of the candidate countries, especially on the question of “values”. The basic question seems to me “cultural”, in other words, the confrontation with Western culture and society characterized by such problems as relativism and secularization. Some resolutions of the European Parliament (in the fields of healthcare, the family, sexuality…) strike fear because they seem to undermine tradition in these areas. That’s why the Churches are working especially for a “founding” vision for the European Union, to ensure that these values be saved. Moreover, the Churches support a Europe of solidarity and subsidiarity (criteria they try to introduce into such questions as agricultural policies) because only a Europe of solidarity can prevent enlargement from failing. A further focus of attention is on the need for the frontiers of Europe to be “open”: while the need to “trace” frontiers is legitimate, it is vital that these frontiers be not closed to countries which do not belong to the Union, but with which the EU must have relations. We are therefore concerned about the nations not yet involved, such as Russia and Turkey (countries that in other respects are already members of the Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe!). A Europe with a clearer identity will also be a Europe more capable of giving and receiving in the world order”. What do the Churches wish to obtain with the recognition of religion, of transcendence, of God in the constitutional treaties of Europe? “It seems to me that two fundamental questions are posed here: the first is to guarantee religious freedom and constitutional rights to religious expression. The Churches are not trying to obtain privileges from the European Union, but respect for a reality that de facto exists in Europe. Secondly, the reference to transcendence is important because it opens horizons to fundamental values, and downplays questions of “power”. The real meaning of enlargement is brotherhood and freedom: it means enlarging European horizons to the point of opening them to the eternal!”