Anti-Christian prejudice growing in Europe, Vatican official warns OSCE leaders
December 06, 2013
In an address to European government leaders, the Vatican’s top foreign-policy official warned of “ever more numerous acts against Christians motivated by prejudice.”
The painful phenomenon of anti-Christian bigotry is not confined to undeveloped countries, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, told ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), who were meeting in Kiev, Ukraine. It exists in Europe as well, he said.
“We must not forget that there are episodes of intolerance and marginalization against religion and believers even in traditionally democratic societies where, fortunately, there is not violent persecution,” Archbishop Mamberti told the European government representatives. He said that it is disgraceful to see religious intolerance persisting in Europe, at a time when the European community is celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan, which established an era of religious toleration.
Speaking to the OSCE group on other issues, the archbishop said that the Vatican is concerned about the lack of progress toward an accord on no-proliferation; would like to see “greater political will and a greater commitment” to environmental preservation; and insists that “migrants’ rights must be of primary consideration” in national policies.
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Posted by: John J Plick -
Dec. 07, 2013 7:49 AM ET USA
Europe has been an ever increasing spiritual wasteland for years. Portugal, the home of Fatima, just a few years back when I visited, only had a 4% rate of weekly Mass attendance. And now a top Vatican advisor states in sonorous tones that "prejudice" is increasing?? And one of the biggest priorities of the clergy in and around Fatima is the 2017 centennial celebration?? "The clergy fiddles while souls burn.."
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Posted by: normnuke -
Dec. 06, 2013 1:44 PM ET USA
This is an excellent time to live in (no sarcasm intended). There is nothing like a little prejudice to bring the rosary out of the closet.
