| dc.description.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. | en_EN |
