Vatican foreign minister: democracy without human rights may foster extremism

October 21, 2015

As Europe faces “the greatest humanitarian and refugee crisis” since World War II, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States called for “respect for human rights and in particular freedom of religion and of conscience” in the Middle East.

Speaking on October 20 at a meeting sponsored by the Greek government, Archbishop Paul Gallagher also called for the nurturing of a culture of democracy.

“There is a danger, however, that democracy may legitimize extremist and fundamentalist ideologies which represent a fundamental threat not only to religious minorities in the region, such as Christians, but also to the majority of Muslims in the Arab world who seek democratic institutions based on citizenship and participation rather than religious affiliation,” he cautioned, adding:

Developing a ‘culture of democracy’ will take time, effort, patience and civic education. It also requires engagement with civic and religious leaders in eliciting respect for basic freedoms, such as freedom of religion, freedom of expression, etc., as the guarantee of fundamental human freedoms particularly for religious minorities.

 

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Further information:

• Statement by H.E. Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher at the Meeting “Religious and cultural pluralism and peaceful coexistence in the Middle East” (Holy See Press Office)