Ahead of European Parliament elections this week, Archbishop Georg Gänswein has criticized the lack of political will to oppose discrimination against Christians on the continent.
Speaking at the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln in Switzerland on Sunday, the prefect of the Pontifical Household noted that while in the media and politics every form of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia is condemned, the same standard is not applied in relation to discrimination against Christians in Europe.
He also warned of a widespread «militant secularism» in Europe, and cited the most recent OSCE report which disclosed that in Germany alone there were 414 registered attacks on Christians and Christian institutions.
The curial official, who is also personal secretary to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, noted that certain circles in Europe want to «muzzle» Christians and push religion to the margins. He said this would be suicidal for the European Union because Europe cannot survive if it renounces its Christian roots.
According to the German language news agency Kath.net, the German archbishop called on all those present to stand up for Christianity and its values in everyday life, and not accept any criticism of the faith or hostility against the believers in the name of tolerance.
Archbishop Gänswein was attending the annual pilgrimage of the charity Aid to the Church in Need which concludes in the historic Swiss town.
