Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria highlighted the “irreplaceable contribution” of religion for the future of Europe in his speech at a meeting organized on November 9, 2020, by the European People’s Party with representatives of religions and churches.
Referring to its importance, he noted that religion was a basic aspect of human life, both at a personal and social level.
In fact, any attempt to create a society based on atheistic principles has been futile. Without reference to religion, we can not understand the past, nor analyze the present, let alone imagine the future of humanity.
For Metropolitan Arsenios, the idea of a common Europe, which he shares, is, despite any difficulties in realizing it, the only model of political, economic and social vision that can contribute to reconciliation and consequently to the peace of the peoples.
Religion and faith can play a key role in this process, primarily in promoting dialogue. The credibility of religions, of course, depends on the degree to which they are active in achieving this peace.