The representatives of the Catholic bishops to the European Union reiterated their call for the bloc to act firmly against anti-Christian persecution around the world by reinstating the position of the special envoy for religious freedom. Source: CNA.
At the conclusion of its Northern Hemisphere autumn assembly, the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) noted that “freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is an inalienable human right enshrined in Article 10 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights” that continues to be “seriously threatened in many regions of the world”.
In a statement, the bishops expressed their “growing dismay” at “the discrimination and persecution suffered by individuals, religious minorities, and faith communities – mostly Christian – who are “targeted for their beliefs.”
It noted that the “gravity of the situation demands a more firm, dedicated, and institutionalised response,” the bishops continued, maintaining that the EU “has a particular responsibility to defend these values beyond its borders.”
In this regard, they emphasised that “the position of EU special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU was created in 2016 and has been instrumental in promoting this cause on the world stage.”
They also said that “having someone in this position improves the EU’s ability to monitor, report on, and respond effectively to violations of religious freedom around the world”.
Therefore, they warn: “We are deeply concerned that this important position has remained vacant for a prolonged period, which sends a worrying signal to persecuted communities around the world and to those who violate religious freedom with impunity.”
The prelates representing the Catholic Church in the countries of the European Union said keeping the position vacant “suggests a diminishing priority of this fundamental right within EU foreign policy precisely at a time when its defence has become more urgent than ever”.
The COMECE bishops urged the European Commission “to appoint a new EU special envoy without further delay, strengthening their mandate and allocating adequate human and financial resources to fulfill their mission”.
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Catholic bishops call on EU to appoint special envoy for religious freedom (By Nicolás de Cárdenas, CNA)
