Silent battles

Faith is fast becoming a public policy issue within the EU Commission and the public at large. Even Queen Elizabeth II in this year's Christmas message felt it necessary to issue a strong appeal for religious and cultural tolerance. Analysts who support the clash of civilisations thesis feel that their predictions are coming true.

The people of Europe feel confused and are increasingly wondering what it really means to be a European citizen. Many are feeling angry that their tolerance is not being reciprocated, that it is being abused even in their own homelands.

Last month, some one million Europeans signed a petition requesting the EU to accept a reference to Europe's Christian heritage in the proposed constitution. The mobilisation of public opinion on such a scale came in the aftermath of the flat refusal given by the EU Commission to the request of seven largely Catholic member states, Malta included. The Vatican too lobbied hard.

The EU Commission felt it appropriate that the constitution does not go beyond an ambiguous mention of the "cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe".

Now the EU Commission has confirmed that come late 2005, it will start accession talks with Turkey, a largely Muslim state. Not everyone agrees that Turkey joins the EU. Right-wing parties have already expressed a preference to offering a special partnership rather than membership. The latter is seen as another blow for the historical and religious identity of Europe.

Why is the EU Commission, given its acknowledged communications gap with the people, being so adamant on this issue? Is the EU really ashamed of its Christian heritage? Or would such reference be intrinsically contrary to its humanistic legacy?

The Vatican is most disappointed. Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Council for Justice and Peace, claims that there is an anti-Catholic "Inquisition" in Europe. If this is true, who is responsible for conducting such an inquisition?

The Buttiglione affair has added salt to the wound. A prominent Italian politician and a staunch Catholic close to Pope John Paul II, Rocco Buttiglione was the first ever nominee for the post of an EU commissioner to be turned down by the European Parliament.

EU sources explained that his nomination for the post of Commissioner of Justice, Freedom and Security was "inopportune" and would not have been "politically correct". Still, he was not offered an alternative post and the Italian government was forced to withdraw his nomination.

Other commentators have speculated about what they consider to be the EU's over-sensitivity to Islamic minorities within member states. Oriana Fallaci, a 73-year-old Italian, is one of the more passionate and popular detractors. She disdains Europe for being so accommodating and for allowing the continued influx of Muslims. For her Europe is fast becoming Islamised. Seen from this point of view, Turkish membership in the EU would be an anathema.

Others see the bonding of the European and Arab worlds as a counter position to the alliance of the USA with Israel. Bat Ye'or was the first to coin the term "Eurabia". This, essentially refers to a supposed strong network of alliances between European and Arab countries which enables Europe to obtain cheap oil and access to markets in exchange for its support to the Arab cause in Palestine.

This line of thinking is closer to that of Robert Kagan who in his work Power and Weakness talks about the emerging transatlantic rift, pitting Europe against the US. For Mr Kagan this threat is not only entrenched in the emerging global geopolitical realities but is also a clear indication of the diverging mind-sets of Europeans and Americans.

Bombarded by such perspectives, it is understandable that a lot of Europeans are demanding explanations. Secular humanism is under pressure. Matters are further complicated when reference is made as to what is happening in the US. George W. Bush won the last election by taking a strong stand on religious and moral issues. Europe and the United Stares are seen to be drifting apart also on their vision of a democratic society and of the proper relationships between politics and ethics.

This at a time when Islamic terrorism is being exposed as the most serious threat facing European society. Yet, it seems that tensions are simmering among other religious groups too. Recently, a Birmingham theatre had to cancel a play depicting rape and murder in a Sikh temple because of violent protests by members of this Indian religion.

How will the EU Commission react to this escalation in religious sensitivity? Will it seek to appease the significant Christian lobby or will it hold fast to its secular stance, even at the risk of being accused of intellectual arrogance?

Since the days of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938), founder and first President, Turkey has been fiercely secular. Offering EU membership to Turkey is perhaps designed to secure the country for secularism. It is also a clear signal to Europeans, including the 10 million or so Muslim citizens, that its values of liberal humanism are blind as far as religious faiths are concerned.

The inclusion, or otherwise, of Europe's Christian heritage in the Constitution, is more than just a battle of words. The final outcome could have legal implications once the EU's constitutional text comes into force. It could possibly influence future court rulings on such issues as euthanasia, divorce, abortion and human cloning.

Our Parliament is expected to discuss the EU constitution soon. Hopefully, we will get to know how Malta looks at some of these issues.