Arch. Mamberti decries religious intolerance

(March 30, 2012) Intolerance and discrimination against Christians in Europe today and in the West could possibly lead to real violence like that of Nigeria in recent times. Vatican Secretary for Relations with states, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti made the remark at a meeting on religious freedom on Thursday at Italy’s embassy to the Holy See in Rome. The Italian embassy had organized the meeting to launch a permanent observatory on religious freedom, an initiative of Italy’s Foreign Ministry and Rome Municipality. In his talk, Archbishop Mamberti, whose portfolio is equivalent to a foreign minister’s, spoke of artworks deemed offensive to many Christians that have been proposed or exhibited in Europe, the United States and Australia; or discriminatory laws against religions, particularly against Christianity, such as banning of public celebrations or display of religious articles. Archbishop Mamberti spoke of three stages of intolerance against Christians. The first is social and cultural intolerance. This is followed by legal discrimination and real crimes of hate. According to the Vatican official, the West today is passing through the first phase of intolerance. There is a growing hostility against religion in general, particularly against the Catholic Church, especially in the media, shows and also art. Archbishop Mamberti however clarified that intolerance in Europe could not be compared to the violence against Christians in Africa or in Asia. But it cannot take too long to slip from intolerance to discrimination and actual violence. That is why Archbishop Mamberti said it is important to value freedom of religion, as it is not merely one of the fundamental human rights. It is much more – it is preeminent among all rights as its defence is the litmus test for the respect of all other rights. Where religious freedom flourishes, there too flourish and develop all other rights, he added.