10-th Dialogue
EPP-Orthodox Church
Breaking New Ground for Europe
-
Through Solidarity, Religion and Politics in Action
Bratislava, 9-10 November 2006
Latchezar
Toshev
UDF
–Bulgaria
Beatitudes,
Eminencies,
Most Reverend
Fathers,
Distinguished Members
of the European Parliament and EPP-family,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I’d like to admire
the continuation of the Dialogue between EPP-ED Group and the Orthodox Church
and to express my gratitude to His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew I and to Mr. Alojz Peterle for inviting me to participate once
again in this event, as representative of the Union of Democratic
Forces-Bulgaria.
Let me first of all
to start with a reference to the Revelation 12:1, where is described a woman
with a wreath of 12 stars which represents the Church and its 12 Apostles. The
Church is a Community united around the legacy of Christ, around His New Testament,
united by the Holy Spirit.
So, the Circle of 12
stars is a symbol of Community. A Community based on the Christian values.
Our United Europe
uses the same symbol of a Community. European civilization and its values are
based on Christian roots passing through centuries, forming our European
Identity. That is why there is no room to hesitate to express this fact openly
in the future European Constitution.
The Founding Fathers
of the United Europe were Christian Democrats, and incorporated implicitly
their Christian ideas for Europe in the
symbols of the European Community and the Council of Europe.
Recently, Vice-President
of the European Parliament Mr. Mario Mauro stated that the Blue European Flag is a symbol of the Virgin Mary’s Shroud, which
is one argument more in this respect.
If Europe is based on
Christian values expressed not only by the Christian symbols but also by
implementing the ethic principles in the European legal framework, demonstrated
also by clear deeds of solidarity and policy of extended hand to be taken in
every spheres, the anti-western allegations coming from communist and
post-communist circles-mainly in the New Neighborhood, should be confronted by
clear position of the Orthodox Church. The Church should stand against these
trends of creation of anti-western feelings.
The Orthodox
Christianity by definition denies any form of hate towards other human beings
created also by God. The Orthodox Christianity rejects ethnically based
conflicts, ethnocentrism and ethnophiletism and accepts normality of
differences and the free choice of individual.
Theological
differences could be debated, but they should not lead to violence.
This is the principle
in the Orthodox Christianity which in some cases is not respected due to lack
of proper religious education. No one who hates his brother can pretend and
claim to be an Orthodox Christian. I am saying this being an Orthodox Christian
myself and this is my understanding as such.
The Orthodox
Christianity could give a good European example to be followed – especially
with the Dialogue “Christianity-Islam” which is very topical of the day. It
also could be supportive in the creation of better environment for Dialogue
between Civilizations instead Clash of Civilizations in the New Neighborhood.
This is the reason
for me to advocate strongly the Vlatadon
Initiative “Reconciliation and
Peace” promoted by His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch in 2000. In my
opinion, it could and should be extended to the region of Caucasus, Middle East and other regions where the implementation of
a policy of mutual respect between those who are ethnically or religiously
different is badly needed.
I’d like to point out
as well, that we should give more publicity in Europe to the Thessaloniki
process of 2003 when the European Council decided that the countries of Western
Balkans will have a chance to join EU when they will meet the criteria for
membership, and also to make known in greater extend the Dialogue EPP-Orthodox
Church underlining its importance for the European process.
The spread and
implementation of the Christian values could help our society to overcome the
deep moral crisis, to avoid the trap of utilitarism, and consequently to
achieve a real social cohesion.
The involvement in
this process of the Orthodox Church – especially in the countries where it has
significant influence, could be supportive not only for achievement of greater
cohesion within the society, but also to achieve cohesion between Eastern and Western Europe.
I’d like also to
admire the forthcoming visit of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch
to the Council of Europe on January 22-nd,
when He will address the Parliamentary Assembly , as a significant event which will give an opportunity to strengthen
the Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and our Common European Family in
greater extend.