Christians face "polite persecution" in the EU, Romanian bishop
A hierarch of the Romanian Church criticized Europe for modern approaches to tolerance.
In Europe, Christians are increasingly facing so-called polite persecution, which manifests not in open violence but in social isolation and pressure. This was stated by Vicar Bishop Paisios of Sinai of the Romanian Church during a sermon on the feast day of Great Martyr George.
The hierarch noted that persecution of Christians has not remained in the past and takes different forms depending on the region. "Although it may seem that the bloody pages of history are behind us, reality shows a disturbing paradox: outside Europe one can be killed for faith, while in civilized Europe one pays for confessing Christ with civil death," he emphasized.
According to the Romanian Church bishop, despite the difference in methods, the goal remains common. "Both forms of hostility converge toward one goal – the elimination of Christianity from public and private life," he stated, adding that in Europe the pressure "hides under the mask of selective tolerance."
The archbishop paid special attention to a phenomenon he called "polite persecution." "The danger in the West is not a bullet or execution for faith, but criminal prosecution, social alienation, and even loss of the right to work. The European Christian is not killed physically but erased socially," he said.
The bishop also criticized modern approaches to tolerance. "Today Europe has turned tolerance from a universal value into a tool of social engineering, operating primarily in relation to sexual minorities and progressive ideologies," he noted.
Bishop Paisios pointed to double standards where criticism of new ideologies is punished as hate speech, while blasphemy against Christian shrines is justified by freedom of speech. He stated that this creates an atmosphere in which some minorities receive absolute legal and media protection, while Christians become legitimate targets.
"While developing countries produce martyrs, Western Europe through social coercion produces apostates," the archbishop said.
In his conviction, under such conditions "European democracy risks becoming a form of ideological tyranny – more sophisticated than Eastern dictatorships, but equally destructive to the human spirit."
In conclusion, the archbishop called on believers to prayer, unity, and firm witness to their faith, despite the increasing pressure of the modern world.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the European Parliament recognized Christianity as the most persecuted religion.
