Tripping over Europe's Religious Roots

Paris, June 14--In the middle of any European town stands a church or cathedral. Saints have given their names to streets and cities. The working year is dotted with church holidays, including some now so obscure many people no longer know why they're getting the day off. While faith may be increasingly irrelevant to a majority of Europeans, even a casual visitor can recognize the religious roots of the continent once known simply as Christendom.

But stating the obvious is quite different from seeing it, as leaders of the European Union have found out. Two years ago, anticipating the expansion from 15 to 25 members that took place this year on May 1, the EU set out to write a constitution to guide it into the future. The document was supposed to start with some lofty words about Europe's heritage and then get down to the nuts and bolts of how EU members will share power. Lengthy negotiations have ironed out most of the practical problems.

But officials tripped over Europe's religious roots right from the start. Some countries wanted constitutional references describing Europe's heritage of "universal Christian values," "currents of Christianity," or "conscience and belief in God" (

). Other countries--especially France--would have none of it. As talks wore on, delegations backing a religious reference pared their demand back simply to including the word "Christian" or "Judeo-Christian." But they haven't been able to get more than a vague statement describing Europe as being inspired by its "cultural, religious and humanist inheritance" (see

).

EU leaders are due to make a final decision at a summit in Brussels this Thursday and Friday. Traditionally Catholic countries such as Italy (home to the Vatican) and Poland (birthplace of Pope John Paul II) have been leading a last-ditch effort to include a Christian clause in the preamble. But it looks like they won't have the votes to win this

In a region so heavy with history, describing Europe's heritage is like crossing a minefield. The continent's largest religion clearly provided the faith, art, and feast days that shaped European culture. But Christianity also spawned the Crusades, the Inquisition, Catholic-Protestant wars, and the anti-Semitism that led to the Holocaust.

"Judeo-Christian" is surely a more accurate term and several delegates suggested it. But that still doesn't say it all because another religion in Europe's history is making a strong comeback. Islam, which was driven out of most of Europe centuries ago by Christian armies, has returned through immigration in recent decades to become the second or third largest religion in most countries. In a decade or more, Muslim Turkey might join the EU club and change its balance dramatically. So no discussion about Europe's history can ignore what could be its future.

Encouraged by the pope, seven traditionally Roman Catholic countries launched their make-or-break campaign for Europe's Christian heritage in late May. Portugal, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic joined Italy and Poland in the effort. Ireland, which has been favorable in the past, stayed neutral during the first half of this year because it holds the EU's rotating presidency.

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