Turkey In Europe
According to an article in Le Figaro, the Vatican approves of the entry of Turkey in the EU. The article speaks of "laïcité" - the separation of Church and State - and of "laïcisme" - a policy of giving institutions of a country a non-religious significance. The two words overlap, and it is difficult to translate them comfortably into English:
The scene takes place Wednesday, on the fringes of a conference on "Christianity and Secularism". Monsignor Tarciso Bertone, nº2 at the Vatican, speaks with several journalists:
"In Europe we exalt 'laïcité' for itself and even more so 'laïcisme'. And in the name of this 'laïcisme', we reject all references to the Judeo-Christian roots of Europe. But Turkey has also marched on a long road and is marching still. The positions are naturally very different but with people and governments who respect the basic rules of living together, we can have a dialogue and build together a common good in the European sphere and in the sphere of the world community," believes the Secretary of State of the Holy See.
"Including the entry into the European Union?" asks a journalist from La Stampa. "Including the entry into Europe", responds Monsignor Bertone.
A declaration that conflicts with a preceding stand taken by the Holy See. In 2004, Pope Benedict - who was then Cardinal Ratzinger - made a clear pronouncement against the entry of Turkey into the EU. But the Vatican had quickly explained that Cardinal Ratzinger was expressing his own personal opinion. (...)
Another Figaro article presents an interview with the European Commissioner on Expansion, Olli Rehn, who lauds the French president for his willingness not to block future negotiations with Turkey, scheduled to take place in June:
"The new French president is showing a responsible attitude. It is preferable to continue the process of negotiations with Turkey, especially since the country is going through a very difficult period with legislative elections coming up in July. The European Union must continue to aid in the development of democracy in Turkey." (...)
"We must respect our commitment of December 2006, when we decided to pursue negotiations. For Turkey, it's an important signal, because many Turks wonder about the EU's credibility. It's essential to strengthen the process of reform in Turkey." (...)
When asked what single argument could be made to the French people in favor of Turkey's entry, he responded:
"The relations between Europe and Islam! It is, in my opinion, the greatest challenge for Europe. Turkey is already a bridge between European civilization and the Muslim world. If it can fulfill all the criteria of adhesion, at the end of ten or fifteen years, it will form an even more solid bridge between our civilizations. There are 15 million Muslims in Europe, and their integration is capital for the future of our societies." (...)
Note: No one can read Nicolas Sarkozy's mind. In the past he has expressed his rejection of Turkey in the EU, but the strength of this conviction is uncertain. Possibly he will object, but not do anything to stop the process. Recommended: a post I did last October on Sarkozy's ambivalent stand on Turkey.
Review also the latest figures on Muslims in Europe, a post I did a few weeks ago.
Labels: Benedict XVI, EU, Papacy, President Sarkozy 2007, Religion, Sarkozy's Values, Turkey
posted by tiberge @ 3:12 PM
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In 1923, Louis Bertrand wrote(1) :
je n’hésite point à accorder que les Turcs sont les plus sympathiques des Orientaux, jusqu’au jour où nous-même, par notre imprévoyance et notre sottise, leur fourniront les moyens de redevenir pour nous des ennemis avec lesquels il faudra compter.
Translation : I have no hesitation in agreeing that the Turks are the most congenial of Orientals, until the day when we, by our want of foresight and our stupidity, provide them with the means of becoming once more the enemy with whom we shall have to reckon.
It looks like that the day when we is nowadays...
(1) in the preface of book "L'islam et la psychologie du musulman" by Jean Servier, translated into english in 1924 as "Islam and the psychology of the musulman", see http://www.coranix.com/biblio/servier1923gb.htm
The monsignor's remarks are discouraging and sad. It is awful. Many nationalist people I have run into, are Atheist. The Church has an agenda that is clearly at odds with the people and so are driving good people to become atheist. I wish it wasn't so.
Turkey is NOT European. They are an Eastern people.
@ chico ray
Yes. We are provoking the situation. Turkey should be left alone to be itself, as Philippe de Villiers has said. By encouraging them to become European we are doing what a person does when he knowingly opens the door of his home to a criminal and then is surprised to find himself bound and gagged.
The Muslim world in general is best left alone. Close contacts breed violence.
@ anonymous
It's terrible if people give up their faith because the Pope is not infallible after all. Catholics have to rise above the errors of the Vatican, but I understand their dilemma. The Pope is supposed to protect his flock, but with the Vatican II dictates, he is bound to obey the instruction that Islam is equal in worth to other religions. The Pope should revise the decrees of Vatican II. Then he would (theoretically) be free to express doubts about Islam in Europe.
The Church is behaving as it does here in the USA: open borders; one people; universal (catholic) charity, etc. They are not given onto Caesar what they promised. What do they hope to accomplish besides their own suicide? If the radical Left wants Turkey in, and the Church will abandon traditional conservatives and patriots, what's a European to do? They are driving the people into the hands of the secular right...very short-sighted of them. I would expect this from the old Pope but not Ratzinger.
Chico Ray - thanks for the link.
@ Sebastian
I entirely agree with you : I feel a great disappointment at the Pope's latest move about Turkey ; yet, I do wonder what pression has been exerted and by whom , and what for ?
"...what's a European to do?"
We can always pray to Franco; boy, did he get it right!
@ Tiberge
After reading a bit more about the Monsignore's words, I feel slightly better...According to le salon beige or le bafweb, the Pope is not involved ; I must say I was afraid because Benedict was born a German, and everybody knows about the long standing German-Turkish friendship.
More proof that politicians and other elites really don't get out much. Or if they do, the windows of the cars they are riding in must be so heavily tinted that they cannot see the street level reality of the Turkish presence in Europe.
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