Holier than the Pope

A sudden hidden card behind the sleeve appeared unexpectedly during a short press conference, where KDH leader Ján Figeľ reminded a Vatican Treaty which - according to his view - should be included in the new coalition's governing programme. The discussions that immediately followed are a slap in the face.

Politics is concerning society as a whole, and since many centuries, societies are pluriform - even if we tend to (falsly) believe, that a uniform society exists. After the tragedy of the Holocaust (European tragedy), in order to prevent such a hell on earth again, a few states started to form a close co-operation, first on the economic level, and later on also politically - starting with the humble BeNeLux, the early EEC to finally the EU. Plurality is a given within much of Europe. 

Many states - ever since the Age of Enlightenment - have bit by bit starting to introduce a separation of church and state; sometimes for very down to earth reasons (power), but equally for acknowledging the fact, that some of the citizens are not necessarily of the same denomination as e.g. the majority, which would imply, that one religion would be preferred an the other(s) becoming second rated. Even in Slovakia's constitution, an explicit articles states that no political nor religious ideology should be imposed by the state. Fair enough.

Yet, a considerable noisy group attempts frequently enough to impose their catholic doctrines on the whole of society, regardless, whether the person affected is perhaps protestant, jewish or even an atheist. Such views are fine for one's own domestic practicing of faith. By agitating for an overall general application of catholic doctrines is becoming less harmless. KDH - the Christian Democratic Movement - in fact the name itself is highly inappropriate, as they are rather catholic and a christian necessarily is not automatically a catholic, like a rectangle necessarily not being a square.

The newly to be formed coalition is surely aware of the balancing rope it is now trying to find its wobbly balance, but Fico's mismanagement has been so grave, that this coalition so far is the only reasonable alternative. Bringing up a treaty with the Vatican is showing poor taste. It's irresponsible, bad timing, and creates dangerous encouragement among some fanatic groups.

If only these catholics would realise, that objectively taken most of their dogma's are very distant from Jesus' teachings, who as an observing Jew, never intended to alter the (jewish) laws, perhaps they would be a bit more humble in forcefully pressing their views on others. The problem is, however, that they don't know their facts. And by raising such issues, they rather should be. I deeply resent this appearance as if some of Slovakia's catholics still live in a mediaeval world, full of intolerance. It is very sad indeed, and perhaps frightening.

A state is there for all its citizens - a treaty, whether signed or not - which gives catholics more priviledges than others is discriminatory, which is against the principles as stipulated in the constitution, the EU declaration fo Human Rights as well as the UN charter. Full stop. No point in further discussing the matter. Let's not try to be holier than the Pope himself. (Especially not the current one).

MS