Holy See's Address at Summit on Religious Freedom

(September 14, 2011) A top Vatican Official has called attention to warning signs indicating a rising trend in hate crimes directed at Christians in Europe. Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, cited irrefutable proof of a growing intolerance against Christians in Europe and called for efforts to ensure religious freedom. He was speaking at the summit of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, held on Monday in Rome. The OSCE was considering discrimination against Christians. The Archbishop alerted the Conference to the threat against religious freedom that fall short of violent persecution but nevertheless impinge the rights of believers. One may contend and rightly so that most of the hate crimes against Christians in the world occur outside the OSCE area, but at the same time they are also experienced within its area. In Europe he said Christian believers find themselves marginalised and even under attack. “Sadly acts motivated by a bias against Christians are fast becoming a reality also in those countries where they constitute a majority,” he said. The Prelate stressed that religious freedom cannot be restricted to the simple freedom of worship, although the latter is obviously an important part of it. With due respect to the rights of all, religious freedom includes, among others, the right to preach, educate, convert, contribute to the political discourse and participate fully in public activities, he added. In order to prevent hate crimes, it is essential to promote and consolidate religious liberty, the concept of which must be clear from the outset. Religion, the Archbishop explained is more than just a private opinion and it always has an impact on society and its moral principles.