1700 years of the Edict of Milan – There is still to be done to improve freedom of religion

Upon the initiative of László Surján, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Jan Olbrycht, EPP Group Vice-Chairman a conference was organised today in the EP to celebrate the 1700^th anniversary of the Edict of Milan. The meeting reflected on the very essence of this utmost important declaration that brought peace to Europe and allowed people to enjoy their faith without fear 1700 years ago in the Roman Empire. During the meeting the high level participants also discussed the contemporary stage of freedom of religion in Europe and across the world.

”Today, tolerance and non-discrimination belong to the most commonly quoted notions in public life, though the spirit of the Edict of Milan is being breached on a regular basis. Unfortunately this has been the practice since centuries as Europe’s history is stained by horrible sins committed against minorities and those who think differently. Marginalisation and persecution of the Jewish in the past and nowadays, the current intolerance and hate against immigrants who practise religions different from the Europeans’, or even the growing intolerance against Christians in our countries today, are the reflections of the same behaviour that is absolutely in contrary to the spirit of the Edict of Milan” – highlighted Hungarian MEP László Surján.

Nebojsa Stefanovic, Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia pointed out: “The main declaration of the Edict of Milan – everyone has the right to decide on his belief – has been the basis of all religious and civil liberties until the present. This liberal message that reconciles civilisations, is embedded in the very foundations of our modern European culture and humanity. Therefore this is the path we have to follow”. When describing the current situation in Syria, His Beatitude Gregory III., the Patriarch of Antioch highlighted: ”Reconciliation is the only lifeline for my country.”

Slomó Köves, Executive Rabbi of Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH) talked about religious tolerance in Europe from a minority’s point of view. ”Intellectual ideas will never be enough to ensure freedom in Europe. Somehow we have to find the golden mean to find the best relation between state and church. As a Hungarian Jew, I can tell you that for a Jewish person, today is the best time to live in Europe in the past 2000 years. So the main questions of current Europe are not between religions, but about how we see the future of Europe, whether we find a common ground for religious and secular values or not” – emphasized Rabbi Köves.

However, it is not enough to solely be proud of the Edict of Milan, of our European heritage that brought reconciliation to the peoples of our continent. ”The aim of this gathering is to revitalise the spirit of Constantine the Great because his noble thoughts must always be confirmed by real actions” – stressed out Vice-President László Surján in his closing remarks.