On December 4, 2024, the European Parliament hosted the twenty seventh version of the European Prayer Breakfast, the place the Fee of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) made a compelling case for the appointment of an EU Coordinator devoted to combating anti-Christian hatred. The convention, themed “Safeguarding Non secular Freedom in Europe – Present Challenges and Future Prospects,” underscored the urgency of addressing rising anti-Christian sentiments throughout Europe.
Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE’s adviser on elementary rights and Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), articulated the urgent want for equal safety of non secular freedoms, emphasizing that each one dimensions of this elementary proper must be safeguarded. “Freedom of faith is just too typically seen as a ‘problematic’ proper,” Calcagno remarked. He careworn that the collective dimension of non secular freedom should be prioritized alongside particular person rights, warning towards the hazards of decreasing tolerance to a mere substitute for real safety.
Calcagno highlighted the continued challenges confronted by non secular communities, significantly concerning the visibility of non secular symbols and expressions. He asserted that so long as these expressions are considered as doubtlessly offensive or coercive, true freedom of faith stays unattainable. The convention emphasised the significance of mainstreaming non secular freedom protections in EU insurance policies, together with the safeguarding of locations of worship and knowledge safety measures.
A pivotal second got here when Calcagno known as for the institution of an EU Coordinator particularly to fight anti-Christian hatred, reinforcing that this isn’t about making a hierarchy of victimhood however making certain equitable entry to protecting measures. “The time is mature for this step,” he acknowledged, acknowledging the prevailing coordinators for Jewish and Muslim communities whereas advocating for comparable assist for Christians.
The dialogue additionally touched on the important function of non secular literacy in fostering understanding and respect amongst completely different faiths. Calcagno urged public authorities and establishments to have interaction with non secular training to develop knowledgeable insurance policies that successfully handle discrimination primarily based on faith.
The convention concluded with a name to motion, urging policymakers to leverage Article 17.3 of the TFEU to translate discussions into concrete coverage initiatives moderately than remaining on the stage of summary ideas. The occasion was moderated by MEP Paulius Saudargas from Lithuania and featured distinguished audio system, together with Dr. Katharina von Schnurbein, the EU Coordinator on combating antisemitism, and Anja Hoffmann, Govt Director of The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination towards Christians in Europe.
Because the European Prayer Breakfast drew to an in depth, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, supplied a prayer, invoking blessings for the members and the important work forward in safeguarding non secular freedom throughout Europe. The decision for an EU Coordinator to fight anti-Christian hatred indicators a major step in the direction of making certain that each one non secular communities in Europe obtain the safety and respect they deserve.
