European bishops rue anti-Christian hostility
CWN – October 02, 2012
At the conclusion of its annual meeting, which took place in Switzerland, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) issued a statement mourning anti-Christian hostility in Europe.
“Secular cultures, fighting over their different anthropological visions, should not look at the Christian message with suspicion, while it spreads its wings of faith and reason,” the bishops stated. “Both wings belong to European history and are the foundation of our civilization. The Church, by bearing witness to faith’s truth, engages in the cultural and social debate with her heritage of wisdom and culture, showing what righteous reason can bring. The intention to redefine society’s natural foundations, like the family or the coexistence between different historical and religious traditions, is not considered to be incidental.”
“We wonder about the aim of annoyed and systematically scornful attitudes towards Christian doctrine and faith, and therefore towards Christians, which sometimes lead to discrimination and instigation of hatred,” the bishops continued. “The voice of Christians is considered bothersome by some, who accuse this voice of intolerance and obscurantism: but it is actually perceived as being dangerous, because it is a free voice that is unbending in front of particular interests and unwilling to give in to blackmail. Destabilizing individuals and societies is not for the good of man, but just a way to pursue partisan interests.”
Additional sources for this story: CCEE: Challenges of Evangelisation in Europe (Vatican Radio) www.news.va/en/news/ccee-challenges-of-evangelisation-in-europe
European bishops warn of new threats to religious freedom
CWN – October 03, 2012
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) called attention to new restraints on religious freedom, during a seminar at the European Parliament.
The COMECE conference urged new efforts to stop discrimination against Christians in Europe, and argued that the European Union should recognize that Christians, as well as other religious groups, require legal protection for their religious liberty.
Additional sources for this story: See www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=15799