Catholic and Orthodox leaders gathered in Paris last month to talk about the threat of terrorism and the value of religious freedom.
During the 5th European Catholic-Orthodox Forum, 12 delegates of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) met with 12 representatives of the Orthodox Churches in Europe. They discussed the theme, “Europe in fear of the threat from fundamentalist terrorism, and the value of human person and religious freedom,” Catholic News Agency reports.
In a joint statement, the faith leaders called on Europeans to return to their Christian roots amid persecution and escalating efforts of various groups to eliminate Christianity.
In a joint statement, the faith leaders called on Europeans to return to their Christian roots amid persecution and escalating efforts of various groups to eliminate Christianity.
“If you are cut off from your roots, you will come adrift,” Catholic and Orthodox leaders stated. “The emptiness within especially exposes the youngest people to the worst temptations. We firmly repeat that the Christian faith reconciles all the personal and social dimensions that are found in the human person.”
“Christianity is a marker of identity that does not deny others their human rights, but seeks to cooperate with all for the realization of the common good,” the statement said.
The faith leaders noted that terrorism and extreme secularization greatly affect the youth. Many terrorists are troubled young people who see violence as an outlet. They have been taught to discriminate believers of another faith as “other.”
The joint statement said ignoring the religious heritage of Europe often leads, even if unintentionally, to discrimination and persecution within societies that claim to be open.
Sources:
Catholicnewsagencycom. (2017). Catholic News Agency. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/europe-will-be-adrift-if-it-loses-christian-roots-faith-leaders-warn-83630/
Cruxnowcom. (2017). Crux. https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2017/03/03/europe-will-adrift-loses-christian-roots-faith-leaders-warn/
