Covid-19: Vatican urges OSCE
to promote religious freedom amid rising intolerance
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| A woman at Mass in Milan's Duomo |
The Holy See warns that religiously-motivated hate crimes
are on the rise, as the Covid-19 pandemic increases intolerance and inequality.
By Devin Watkins
Msgr. Janusz Urbańczyk took part this week in an OSCE
conference aimed at raising awareness about intolerance and discrimination.
The Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the Organization
for Security and Co-operation in Europe focused his remarks at the 25-26 May
event on the impact that intolerance has on Christians.
The OSCE is an intergovernmental organization whose members
include most countries of the Northern Hemisphere and is concerned with
conflict prevention and crisis management.
Religious intolerance on the rise
Hate crimes against Christians and members of other
religions, said, Msgr. Urbańczyk, negatively impact the enjoyment of human
rights and fundamental freedoms. “These include threats, violent attacks,
murders and profanation of churches and places of worship, cemeteries and other
religious properties,” he said.
The Vatican representative expressed “great concern” about a
divide between religious belief and religious practice.
“The false idea that religions could have a negative impact
or represent a threat to the well-being of our societies is growing,” he
warned.
Believers are frequently told that prayer and religious
convictions are a private matter that have no place in the public sphere.
Discrimination in digital space
The internet and social media, said Msgr. Urbańczyk, often
become a place to put others down or incite hatred of cultural, national, and
religious groups.
The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the trend, since people
are spending more time online during lockdowns.
Discrimination on social media, he noted, can lead to
violence, the final step in a “slippery slope which starts with mockery and
social intolerance.”
Dignity and unity
Msgr. Urbańczyk also urged OSCE member states to promote the
inherent dignity of every person and the fundamental unity of the human race.
He said these two principles form the basis of all truly
democratic societies. National minorities, he added, should be free to profess
and practice their religion.
Rising inequalities
Lockdowns to stem the Covid-19 pandemic have contributed to
rising inequalities and “de facto discriminatory treatment”.
“Rights and fundamental freedoms,” said Msgr. Urbańczyk,
“have been limited or derogated throughout the whole OSCE area.” These include
the closure of churches and restrictions on religious services.
Tolerance and freedom
In response to these threats, the Holy See’s representative
urged OSCE member states to promote both tolerance and fundamental freedoms,
which include religious liberty.
“Tolerance,” said Msgr. Urbańczyk, “cannot be an alibi for
denying or guaranteeing fundamental human rights.”
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