Strong and live roots

Two thirds of five West European countries’ population – France, Germany Great Britain, Italy and Spain – identify the topical relevance of the Christian message, and point out that the Churches ought to primarily serve the cause of peace, justice and solidarity, while religious practice differs according to national cultures. These are the findings of a survey conducted March 11-19 by the French research institute IFOP (Institut français d’opinion publique), on behalf of the Catholic daily “La Croix” on a relevant sample of adult population across five countries. Questions focused on European citizens’ expectations of Christian faithful. The results of the survey were published on the issue of April 2. Deeply rooted in Christianity. Despite the ongoing controversies over the Church’s management of paedophilia cases, “respondents appear uninfluenced by the debates, which shows that Europeans are deeply rooted in Christianity, regardless of current polemics”, remarked Isabelle De Gaulmyn. However, she added, “Europeans’ attitude of mind” is not homogenous. Indeed, “it varies from one nation to the next”. French citizens “gave more radical replies, shifting the average upwards or downwards”, and were “extremely critical” of Church-media relations, said Jerome Fourquet, co-chairperson of IFOP’s survey centre. Conversely, 70% of Italians positively assessed the Church’s communication capacities and said they “believe in the Christian message and values”. And while the survey identifies the French population as a whole as “the most religiously-detached”, French Catholics “are more religious than Italians and Spaniards, and more critical than non-Catholics as relates to the Church’s communication modalities”. Denis Pelletier, dean of the École Pratique des Hautes Etudes is not surprised, “French practising Catholics are a minority within an indifferent and hostile society and are thus self-defined through their opposing stands”, he claimed. According to the survey, 58% of Spanish citizens have a “strong attachment to Christian values”, although the younger generations appear to be more critical: 56% of those under 35 said that Christianity has nothing more to say to society”. Analysts agree that Spain “is rapidly experiencing what France experienced in the 1960s”. More present in public life. The situation is different in Great Britain and Germany. In these countries religious pluralism “is part and parcel of the countries’ history, due to the long-dated coexistence of Anglicans, Protestants and Catholics”. But stark differences do remain. In Great Britain religion is viewed as a private affair, according to the findings of the research. “The Church must be present in life’s important moments, and not in order to promote world peace”, interviewees claimed, although they also wish that the Church were “more present in the public sphere”. In particular, said Anthony Abela, 65 , Anglican bank clerk, “while keeping a distance from politics”, the Church “could provide advice and guidelines” on “mundane issues, such as drugs and contraception”. The survey shows that in Germany the Churches’ social role is “acknowledged as important, and viewed as a state institution”. “Most Germans don’t believe in God – pointed out pastor Friederike von Kirchbach, prior of the Protestant Church of Berlin-Brendeburg – however they do expect the Church to address ethical issues, support the poor”, and act as “conveyor of joy and courage”. Another question, especially valued by the Germans, is environmental protection. Solidarity to the poor and to immigrants. Paolo Magarelli, 23-year-old student from Italy, actively committed in a parish sport centre, highlights the importance of solidarity and the care of the poor. “There should be no walls separating the parish from the surrounding neighbourhood”. “Practising my faith and bearing Christian witness in my every-day life is part and parcel of my Christian life”. In fact, the survey’s coordinators remarked: “Italians identify migrants’ reception and assistance to the poor as one of the priorities”. Spanish interviewees also valued these themes, which is “a sign of the serious economic difficulties experienced across the Country”. Rosa Medina, migrants’ assistance coordinator for the Caritas of Valencia, noted that her compatriots’ opinions on religion “are very discordant”. However, she added, “The confessional trait of our organization, involved in charity and assistance to the poor, never caused tensions with our public interlocutors”. “The findings reveal a positive assessment of the Church’s visibility in the public domain and strong expectations in terms of the Church’s social commitment to the service of peace and justice”, remarked Dominique Greiner, which shows there is “faith in the ethical creativity of Christianity”.