RELIGION AND POLITICAL CULTURE

On 29 September, the Centre for European Studies (CES) in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Rome, started its three-part series of conferences ‘Questions for the Future’ with a discussion entitled ‘Religion and Political Culture’. More than 20 international experts from the Christian churches took part in this event under the aegis of the Pontifical Gregorian University. Among those participating were the Italian senator Marcello Pera, President of the International PEN, Jiri Grusa, an expert on legal and state matters, Prof. Josef Isensee, Bishop Emeritus of Hildesheim, Josef Homeyer, a Romanian Orthodox theologian, Prof. Radu Preda, the Under- Secretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Prelate Mons. Giampietro Dal Toso, and the Chairperson of the Department for External Ecclesiastic Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchy, Archimandrite-Archabbot Cyril Govorun. During the conference the Konrad Adenauer Foundation adopted a policy document entitled ‘Europe Must Breathe with Both Lungs’.

According to the Romanian Orthodox theologian Preda, the churches of Eastern Europe are in the process of finding their identity. After state dependency, it took a long time to reach independence and become a mouthpiece for society. The Polish theologian Pater Maj challenged the Orthodox churches to take the risk of adopting uncomfortable views and to actively encourage dialogue with Western churches. The Archimandrite Govorun from the Ukraine, however, expressed the idea that the West should appreciate and respect the Eastern church as it is.

The tenor of the conference was that the Christian churches would only be able to take a stance on societal and political discussions on values if the Churches determine precisely what their relationship is with each other and develop strategies for the future accordingly. It was thought that in order for the Church to determine its position, the relationship between the Church, society and the state should be laid down. Pope John Paul II had used the metaphor of two lungs, stressing the need for equality between the Eastern and Western churches. The conference participants felt that immense effort should be put into sustaining dialogue on an equal footing.