The Romanian Embassy to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta on Tuesday organised the conference “Christians in Europe: Challenges and Perspectives”, delivered by Dr Martin Kugler, president of the Board of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe).
In the presence of an audience composed of representatives of the diplomatic corps, academia, ecclesiastical organisations, and civil society, participants examined the major challenges to religious freedom in Europe and discussed concrete cases of intolerance and discrimination against Christians.
The topic, currently gaining increased public awareness, is receiving growing visibility in public debate and among decision-makers.
Referring to Europe’s Christian foundations, Ambassador George Bologan stressed in his introductory speech that “the European Union is a political project built upon the fundamental values of Christianity”.
“Whether we like it or not, Christianity is the vital force of the European Union. Christianity is an element of our identity and most likely the strongest element of cohesion,” the ambassador said.
Religious freedom and anti-Christian discrimination
The conference further addressed the phenomenon of discrimination against Christians in Europe and the risks it poses from the perspective of fundamental human rights.
Dr Martin Kugler presented the activities of OIDAC Europe, which seek to promote a Europe in which Christians can fully exercise their fundamental rights related to religious freedom, conscience, expression, and association without fear of reprisals, censorship, threats, or violence.
Referring to the 2025 Report on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe, the expert stated that incidents targeting Christian communities represent a genuine security issue that is often underreported, minimised or overlooked by decision-makers.
Dr Kugler also noted that certain public discourses and narratives in the European public sphere have contributed to perpetuating anti-Christian prejudices and stereotypes.
The event was moderated by Vatican journalist Andrea Gagliarducci.
According to the Romanian Embassy to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta, through its subject matter and the level of debate, the conference contributed to a deeper understanding of a phenomenon of growing concern for diplomatic, ecclesiastical and civil society environments, while highlighting the social and cultural implications of religious intolerance in contemporary European society.
Photo: Embassy of Romania to the Holy See
