The expectations of Latvia and Estonia” “

On the 1st May Estonia and Latvia, together with eight other countries, will enter the European Union. With these two countries we end our review of the ten member states of the Union. More particularly SirEurope has asked the representatives of the Churches in these countries with what expectations and feelings people are awaiting this historic date. (In previous numbers, Cyprus, Poland, Malta, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Lithuania). A signal of change. The hope of a better economic future, but also the strong fear of a rise in prices: these are two most widespread states of mind in Estonia as 1st May approaches. They are described to us by Eerik Joks, assistant general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). The Churches of Estonia – he says – are regarding Western Europe with a good deal of apprehension, because they consider it “very liberal in the moral field, far more so than Estonia, where a very conservative understanding of morality still prevails”. The mood of the young, on the other hand, is different: they are awaiting entry into Europe with “many hopes”. The possibilities of cultural and economic exchanges will be far greater, even though the spectre of rising prices is of especial concern for the average Estonian. “The referendum on EU membership was very positive: at the basis of this enthusiasm was especially the need to survive without succumbing to the Russian influence, while for a minority entry into the EU was synonymous with exchanging one union (the Soviet one) for another. But Estonia’s entry into NATO was very significant for us: it was the signal that something important had changed in the history of Estonia”. Ringo Ringvee, a young civil servant in the department of religious affairs of the Ministry of the Interior, explains that the date of 1st May has been prepared “for a long time”, also through the reform – called for by the EU as a condition for membership – of some laws in the field of human rights (anti-discrimination, abolition of the death penalty, and so on). But now the most common fear is that of rising prices and the cost of living. That explains the fact that a frantic race to build up stocks of basic commodities has begun, especially in rural areas: there are those who have been buying large quantities of sugar and salt”. Fact File. Estonia is a very small country with a population of only 1,400,000 inhabitants, concentrated especially in Tallin and Tartu. The leading church in the country is the Lutheran Evangelic (with some 180,000 faithful). Catholics number little more than 5,000, less than 1% of the population, regrouped in 7 parishes. Pastoral responsibility is assigned to the Nuncio of the Baltic States, Peter Zurbriggen, 13 priests and 25 male and female religious. There are over ten main Christian denominations. There’s so much to do. “There’s so much to do” before Latvia can truly call herself a European country, says Sister Silvya Krivteza, head of the Latvian language section at Vatican Radio. “While awaiting this great event – she explains – the politicians are especially thinking of the country’s future in united Europe, and really they have a lot to think about and in a hurry, because there’s so much work to be done. For example, Parliament needs to proceed to the approval of over 30 bills to adjust the country’s legislation to EU standards. There are so many economic, political and social problems that need to be solved. Strong social tensions exist in Latvia; many people are living in poverty and without work. The reform of education also needs to be implemented. Entering Europe remains an open question: people wonder whether the country is able to solve all these problems and solve them in a hurry. But there are also great hopes, especially among the young. Unfortunately, however, people are also perplexed by fears, doubts and uncertainties. They are especially worried by the possible increase of prices, the so-called euro-shock that has been experienced in other countries of the Union at the time of the transition of their national currency to the Euro”. Fact File. Latvia is a small country: it has a population of 2,600,000 inhabitants, of whom only 15% are Catholic, 16 % Lutherans and 8% Orthodox. The rest of the population declare themselves atheist. Catholics are divided into 4 dioceses and 280 parishes. The pastoral guidance of the Catholic Church is entrusted to 4 bishops, 150 priests and over 100 male and female religious.