European Catholic and Orthodox representatives praised a growing awareness of religious rights on their continent and urged governments to allow churches a more active role in ethical debates. In a joint statement from the Greek island of Rhodes, the representatives said bishops and theologians at the second Catholic-Orthodox Forum had welcomed the legal protection given to religious rights by Europe’s democratic constitutions, as well as by international instruments such as the 2000 Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
However, it said, “The legal system on which states and relations among citizens are based cannot depend on the changeable opinions of people, nor on action by pressure groups. Such a system should be based on the intangible human values which are intrinsic to humankind.” The statement also said: “Our churches wish they could participate more actively in the ethical and moral debates concerning the future of the society. We ask our governments and politicians to commit themselves in guaranteeing religious freedom in Europe and promote it in the world, fighting against any form of discrimination based on religion,” it added.
RHODES, Greece (CNS)