At the Vatican, PACE President highlights Council of Europe’s unique role in intercultural and inter-religious dialogue

Strasbourg, 02.04.2007 – On the occasion of his meeting with Cardinal State Secretary Tarcisio Bertone, who is in charge of the Holy See's political and diplomatic activities, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) René van der Linden reiterated his invitation to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to address the Parliamentary Assembly at one of its forthcoming plenary sessions.

Mr van der Linden also referred to his proposal to grant Churches official status with the Council of Europe. “Globalisation," he said, "has bought the various cultures and religions into close contact with one another. This proximity can be a source of enrichment, but also of friction and misunderstanding. We are convinced that intercultural and inter-religious dialogue is the only way of ensuring long-term peace and stability in Europe and the rest of the world. The personal contribution of religious leaders is of extreme importance and highly symbolic for promoting tolerance, respect and solidarity. It is for this reason that the Council of Europe's legal and political action must be strengthened through co-operation with Churches and other religious organisations which, by virtue of their moral and ethical commitment, are active components of civil society, and responsible partners in our democratic societies. Given the increasing discussion on the role of religion in society, the Council of Europe can offer the best forum for such a discussion.”

"I am firmly in favour of the principle of the separation of Church and State," Mr van der Linden concluded, "but there is no reason why Churches, with due regard for their specific features, should not have official status at the Council of Europe. For the value community the Council of Europe represents, it is important that Churches have a tribune to express their opinion on value issues.”

Mr van der Linden pointed out that developing the potential of the Parliamentary Assembly as a unique forum for intercultural and inter-religious dialogue had been one of his priorities since he had taken office as President of an Assembly that brought together 630 parliamentarians from 46 member states, representing no fewer than 800 million Europeans. Accordingly, the President will also attend the international conference on "Christianity, culture and moral values" to be held in Moscow from 19 to 21 June 2007 and the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly, scheduled to take place in Sibiu from 4 to 9 September 2007.

The meeting in Rome followed a meeting in Naples with Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe on 30 March, where the President addressed the annual youth gathering, bringing together some 20 000 participants.