A force, not a threat

Ex-religious correspondent of the dailies “Times” and “Daily Telegraph”, Clifford Longley, Catholic, is held in high esteem by the British press who interviews him often on current events. He regularly contributes his spiritual reflections on channel four’s morning radio program “Today”. The network is the most followed among decision-makers in the UK. Mr. Longley is the editorial advisor of the Catholic weekly “Tablet” and author of the book “Chosen People”, on the importance of religion for the United Kingdom and the United States. We asked him to draw a balance on the role of the Catholic Church in English society and Europe. This is the Week for Christian Unity. At what point is the dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans? “The progress made was unimaginable until a few years ago. Today Catholics and Anglicans meet and talk. A further step forward, such as the sharing of the Eucharist, requested by Anglican Primate Rowan Williams in an article written for the “Tablet”, could hardly be realized since its significance for Catholics and Anglicans is very different. While for Catholics the Eucharist defines the Church, for Anglicans it’s a sign of good will and good relations”. Why do some Countries and sectors of the EU oppose recognizing the Christian roots of Europe? “Because there are Countries, France is one of these, which fear that the Church may reach the point of controlling the EU. This concern is connected to the influence and the power that the Church exerted in the past. Which today makes no sense. The Pope isn’t interested in having a more important role within the EU and the issues that the Church considers of primary importance, such as the defense of life and marriage are decided at national, not at European level. Far from constituting a threat for Europe, the Church is an important force for the work it does in the fields of social justice and human rights. To reaffirm the Christian roots of Europe, does not entail, as many fear, the exclusion of Islam since historically Islam coexisted with Christianity. Let it suffice to consider the history of Spain and the influence which Muslim thought and spirituality exerted upon Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Francis”. You spoke of human rights: the Catholic Church in Europe is on the forefront of the defense of the rights of immigrants and political refugees. However this is the object of criticism on the part of those who believe that the arrival of foreigners should be regulated… “The stand of the Church is to be admired since she concretely helps marginalized immigrants and fights for the legal recognition of their rights. It’s important to regulate the position of foreign citizens who have been living in Europe for years, and to help them integrate into the societies in which they live”. If the commitment in the field of human rights and social justice gives the Church the right to express herself, the same right is denied when she speaks in favor of life and against euthanasia or abortion. What are the reasons to restrict religious issues only to the private sector? “The problem is that there’s a hierarchy of values within those elements that are considered politically correct. Thus, there are more important and less important principles. The respect for religious values is considered less important compared to non-discrimination according to gender. In our society religious values are considered optional, something extra that we can do without. Thus, over the right to practice one’s religion prevails the right to protect different positions as relates to sexuality. In Great Britain the Church is in a position of defense, trying to defend her values in a secular society. This is true also as relates to the question of Catholic Schools in Great Britain”. In what way? “The State guarantees to the Church the right to give priority to those students baptized in the Catholic Church, as relates to selective criteria. There would be no reason to allow the Church to run educational institutions if these are not permitted to educate Catholic students. However, a great part of the press believes that in this way the Church causes sectarian divisions within society. Far from dividing, religious-based schools promote integration. It would be important for Britain to subsidize also Muslim schools whereby, in learning English history, language and culture the students would more easily integrate into the society in which they live”.