Kościoły prawosławne i protestanckie wobec Unii Europejskiej

Abstract

The extension of European structures is getting richer in a number of countries. With the higher number of states entering the process of European integration, the higher meaning in this process, beside he Roman Catholic Church, gained various Christian Churches, including the Protestant and the Orthodox. Their efforts for the sake of ecumenism is another reason to evaluate the involvement of different denominations of Christianity in the idea of the European integration. During the process of European enlargement, the participation of Protestant Churches in uniting of the continent has been more and more significant. These churches are presently of the opinion that Europe should be the arena of service and testimony for the Christians, while the diversity of ideas and beliefs of all the EU citizens is to be respected. Nationalism should be globally rejected and European societies have to support dialogue in the spirit of respect for the basic human laws and acknowledgement of democratic values. Particular attention should be paid to economical issues not only to the free European Market, but also to efficient protection system of social laws. Orthodex Churche also express interest in the process of European integration. On the one hand, they accept integration with the conviction that participation of Orthodox Churches with all their spiritual and cultural experience may help Europe to return to its roots. On the other hand, they notice the collapse of Christian values in the Western Europe. In this situation the significant role may be performed by the Orthodox Church which - looking after the traditonal values like the Third Rome - may offer Western Europe vital ideas of Christianity. The voice of each Christian church concerning European integration is a very important component of the international debate about shape and future of Europe. Although emphasis is sometimes put on different areas, great determination of Catholicism, Protestantism and the Orthodox Churches is clearly visible. Their objective is to assure respect for religious freedom in Europe without renouncing of the Christian heritage of the continent. They stress the need for focusing not only on the economical issues concerning the European integration, but also on treating the European sociétés in a subjective way and noticing the need of all European citizens.