The European Union must face the rise of anti-Christian acts!

Although a disturbing rise in acts of violence committed against religions affects all believers, Christianity remains the primary target of anti-religious acts in France and throughout Europe, according to the Ministry of the Interior and the OSCE.

It is certainly complex to evaluate the latter precisely, both in quantitative and qualitative terms - but what is certain is that this phenomenon is gaining in amplitude, gravity, and visibility.

Thus, we saw the beginning of this year darkened by a shooting in a London church; the degradation of the many Calvaries commonly found throughout France; various acts of vandalism and attempts at arson in churches in Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or and in Paris …. all of the above are, alas, but the reflections of ongoing violence.

Faced with this resurgence of hatred, which nevertheless remains disproportionate to the crimes and persecutions committed elsewhere in the world, the time for half-measures and agreed and repetitive token statements has passed. All anti-religious acts must be fought with the same force because they are an attack not only on believers, but also on the very founding principles of our civilization, at the forefront of which is freedom of conscience.

Curbing this scourge of anti-religious violence, which has crossed the line delineating ​​a legitimate right to criticism from misdemeanor and crime, requires coordinated action on a European scale. In implementing its strategy against racism and acts of hatred, the European Union adopted the Council Framework Decision of 28 November 2008 and, following on from this, created a specific job for Coordinators in charge of combating anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred.

No one doubts that this combat is essential. Would it not therefore be fair to extend it to the fight against what must be called anti-Christianity?

Why, in a letter dated November 11, 2022, in response to a request made with regard to this by the association La France en Partage (A Shared France), did the European Commission explicitly confirm its refusal to appoint a coordinator in charge of the fight against anti-Christian acts?

Why does it thus refuse to open its eyes to a reality that is certainly unpleasant, but which is confirmed by statistics and by the daily experience of many French people? What justifies this “double think” which clearly constitutes discrimination against the Christian community? The European Union must not forget that the common value ​​on which it is founded is the equal protection of individuals.

Is Europe so uncomfortable with the idea of protecting its inherited, historical identity that it would refuse to face the rise of anti-Christian acts?

What is at stake here is the equal guarantee of fundamental freedoms of thought and belief in Europe. But also at stake, in the blameworthy indifference of the public authorities, is the maintenance of its link with the very foundations of European culture, from monasticism to the twelve stars of its flag. Without this link, the sustainability of an essential element of our civilization disappears.

If we want to live in harmony, we must fight equally against all destructive ideologies. Therefore, we urge the European Commission to reconsider its response and to appoint a coordinator in charge of the fight against anti-Christian acts, aimed at people and property.

The Commission must take this step to confirm its attachment to equal freedom of conscience for all. We can no longer afford empty words and content ourselves with repeating - faithlessly - that all believers benefit from the same European protection.

For such protection to exist, it must be instituted. If the European authorities were to persist in their refusal to take this request into account, it will then be imperative to mobilize all possible political and legal means to bring it to fruition.

This article published in French in Le Figaro Vox on March 3, 2023.

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Signatories: Carine Chaix, avocate à la cour, présidente de l’association La France en partage ; Alban du Rostu, directeur général du Fonds du bien commun ; Jérôme Bascher, sénateur, vice-président du groupe France Saint-Siège au Sénat ; Henri de Beauregard, avocat à la cour ; Jérôme Besnard, juriste et essayiste ; Olivier Bonassies, auteur, directeur de l’association Marie de Nazareth ; Loris Chavanette, historien ; Typhanie Degois, ancienne députée LREM ; Denis Duverne, président de l’association Saint-Jean de Passy ; Maxime Bonassies, responsable de l’association M de Marie ; Michel Degoffe, professeur de droit public ; Thomas Delenda, directeur de l’association Hozana ; Jean-Michel Fauvergue, romancier, ancien député LREM ; Julien Le Page, président de SOS Calvaires ; Charles Prats, vice-président de l’Association professionnelle des magistrats ; Gregor Puppinck, juriste, directeur du think-tank ECLJ ; Jean-Bernard Prim, délégué général de l’Alliance Siméon ; Thierry Rambaud, professeur de droit public, avocat à la cour ; Frédéric Rouvillois, professeur de droit public, délégué général de la Fondation du Pont-Neuf ; Joseph Macé-scaron, écrivain ; Nicola Speranza, secrétaire général de la FAFCE.