[ACNS source: Diocese of St Albans] An important initiative to encourage dialogue between the governments and faith communities of Europe has been applauded by the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert.
He welcomed moves towards closer links highlighted at a high-level European Union conference in Rome last week, at which he spoke for the Anglican Church.
The ground-breaking event, organised by the Italian Presidency of the European Union, brought together Home Affairs ministers from governments across Europe with senior representatives of faith communities, on Thursday (October 30th).
The UK Government was represented by Fiona Mactaggart, Home Office Minister for Race Equality, Community Policy, and Civil Renewal, who also spoke at the conference.
The Bishop, who sits in the House of Lords and is also UK Chairman of the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) told the conference that dialogue between all faiths lies at the heart of Europe's future.
He also welcomed the reference to the EU maintaining "an open, transparent and regular dialogue" with churches and other faith communities contained in Clause 51 of the European Convention that will shape the EU's future.
Bishop Christopher said, "I sense in the new Europe which is emerging some fascinating and hopeful signs. There is a tendency amongst the power-wielders of modern society to treat religions and faith as simply a kind of lifestyle choice, of no more importance or significance than going to the gym or deciding which designer-jacket to wear."
In contrast, he said that the Convention's Clause 51 represented "a profound recognition that religions are unique, they are far more than lifestyles or a matter of personal choice."
Bishop Christopher added, "That clause is one which I hope all here will welcome, because it provides part of the serious conceptual architecture within which interfaith dialogue can take place.
"The future of Europe is bound up with interfaith dialogue, because it is in that dialogue that we may fashion a language which, with due humility, will shape our vision of God and of our human destiny. Without such a dialogue, the political structures of Europe could become thin and feeble."
In the address, Bishop Christopher said that interfaith dialogue had to be built on transparency, openness and trust and based on an academic, intellectual rigour. It had to take the 'emotional content' of the dialogue into account, and be morally patient and courageous.
He explained: "Dialogue takes energy, a kind of moral energy - an act of will which refuses to surrender to despair. Much of that energy has to be devoted to education, to combating racism and challenging all stereotypes."
Although the Rome conference was attended by senior representatives of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faith, the Bishop stressed that interfaith dialogue should involve all faiths represented in the EU.
Other speakers at the Rome conference included the European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs Antonio Vitorino, and the President of the European Parliament's Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs, Hernández Mollar.