| Author (Person) | Spinant, Dana |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.8, No.40, 7.11.02, p1, 7 |
| Publication Date | 07/11/2002 |
| Content Type | News |
|
Date: 07/11/02 By THE debate on the future of Europe is heading for controversy over whether the future EU constitution should refer explicitly to the role of religion. Pope John Paul II is pressing Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, chairman of the Convention on Europe's future, to include text asserting the contribution made by Christianity to Europe's heritage. Following a meeting at the Vatican with the former French president, the Pontiff warned that the EU risks 'grave dangers' if it does not recognise the place of God. Giscard, who went to Rome 'with an open mind', an advisor said, pledged that the Convention would reflect on the Pope's concerns. 'It is legitimate to think about these issues,' a senior Convention official said, 'but we will have to find a formulation which is not discriminatory. Therefore, the contribution of religion, and not of Christianity, should probably be mentioned,' he added. The Pope told Giscard that the 'community of believers in European countries, where they are in l Continued from Page Onethe majority, [want to] see their identity and their specific contributions to the life of European societies respected as well as the statute whose benefits they have by virtue of national legislation'. John Paul II wants the constitution to refer to the status of the Church, with the aim of keeping the EU out of its organisation. The 1998 Amsterdam Treaty contained a declaration on the status of churches and non-confessional organisations, stipulating that 'the European Union respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the member states'. A diplomat who negotiated the insertion of this text said the aim was to avoid the EU interfering with taxes set up by the Church in some countries, in particular Germany: 'The Vatican is eager to ensure that at least this declaration will be maintained, if they cannot obtain more,' the Convention official confirmed. The Pope stepped up his demands to assert the role of religion in Europe in a welcome message to the new Belgian ambassador to Vatican, Benoit Cardon de Lichtbuer, who presented his credentials last week. The Pontiff warned that 'society exposes itself to grave dangers if it does not recognise God as the author of life, human dignity and human rights'. He pointed out that building Europe requires leaders with 'will and determination, with the desire to build the Union on common values, aware of the Christian roots of different people which are an inescapable reality of European history and culture' and 'a common treasure'. The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), one of the main Catholic lobby groups, had already called for the constitution's preamble to restate 'what Europe owes to its religious heritage' in its submission to the Convention, so the Pope's latest remarks will come as no surprise. Nevertheless, his efforts to press the case for the role of religion to be recognised is bound to split Giscard's forum. The question previously sparked controversy in 2000, when the Charter of Fundamental Rights was drafted; in the end, a direct reference to religion was avoided. The Pope certainly has allies in the Convention. The European People's Party, the largest political family in power in Europe, is also urging a clear reference to religion in the constitution. The EPP spelt this out in its manifesto for the future of Europe, adopted at the party congress in Estoril on 18 October. Bishop Josef Homeyer, the president of COMECE, wrote to EPP President Wilfried Martens to welcome the party's proposals. The document's opening paragraphs mention Europe's 'spiritual and moral heritage' and urge that 'the preamble of the constitution should refer to what Europe owes to its religious heritage'. The text, which does not have the support of all within the EPP, was inserted at the last minute, following pressure from Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister. In addition, a draft constitution put forward by Elmar Brok, chairman of the EPP members in the Convention, asserts that the Union shall respect the legal status of churches and religious bodies, and shall act with loyalty to them. It also proposes a protocol on the 'status of churches and non-confessional organisations'. However, the Socialists, who account for roughly one third of Convention members, along with the Greens, are set to oppose such references. Anti-racism groups have reacted angrily to the Pope's call, describing his comments as 'extremely worrying'. Mouloud Aounit, director of Mouvement Contre le Racisme et Pour L'amitié entre les Peuples, said: 'Since 11 September 2001 there has been a serious rise in Islamophobia in Europe and instead of trying to calm the problem, he is just making things worse. We should be trying to build a Europe based on universal values like human rights.' Convention members predict the issue will be divisive. However, at least one has pointed out 'you would expect the Pope to call for religion to have its place in the constitution'. The debate on the future of Europe is heading for controversy over whether the future EU constitution should refer explicitly to the role of religion. |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations, Values and Beliefs |
