Idirphlé le hEaglaisí, comhlachais nó pobail reiligiúnacha, eagraíochtaí fealsúnachta agus neamhfhaoistiniúla
 

Foráiltear den chéad uair le hAirteagal 17 den Chonradh ar Fheidhmiú an Aontais Eorpaigh (CFAE), a tugadh isteach le Conradh Liospóin, bunús dlí d’idirphlé oscailte, trédhearcach agus tráthrialta idir institiúidí AE agus eaglaisí, comhlachais reiligiúnacha, agus eagraíochtaí fealsúnacha agus neamhfhaoistiniúla. Deir sé:

1. "Urramaíonn an tAontas an stádas faoin dlí náisiúnta atá ag eaglaisí agus ag comhlachais nó ag pobail reiligiúnacha sna Ballstáit agus ní dhéanann sé dochar don stádas sin.
2. Urramaíonn an tAontas mar an gcéanna an stádas faoin dlí náisiúnta atá ag eagraíochtaí fealsúnacha agus neamhfhaoistiniúla.
3. Agus aitheantas á thabhairt aige dá gcéannacht agus dá rannchuidiú sonrach, déanfaidh an tAontas idirphlé oscailte, trédhearcach, tráthrialta a choimeád ar siúl leis na heaglaisí sin agus leis na heagraíochtaí sin."

Cé go bhforáiltear sa chéad dá mhír den airteagal seo go gcosnófar an stádas speisialta atá ag eaglaisí agus eagraíochtaí nó pobail reiligiúnacha faoi dlí náisiúnta, mar aon le heagraíochtaí fealsúnacha agus neamhfhaoistiniúla a bhfuil stádas inchomparáide acu, iarrann Mír 3 ar institiúidí AE idirphlé oscailte, trédhearcach agus tráthrialta a choimeád ar siúl leis na heaglaisí sin agus leis na heagraíochtaí sin.

Thug Parlaimint na hEorpa éifeacht d’fhorálacha an Chonartha nuair a d’aimnigh a hUachtarán Leas-Uachtarán atá freagrach as an idirphlé. 

The dialogue between the European Parliament and churches, religious associations, philosophical and non-confessional organisations under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), fulfils a highly important role, especially today, in light of a global scenario filled with rising tensions, increasing complexity and continuous change.

I am therefore deeply honoured that President Roberta Metsola has entrusted me with this responsibility in my capacity as Vice-President of the European Parliament. The dialogue conducted under the Article 17 TFEU serves as a fundamental platform for addressing the challenges of our time. It offers a space for discussion and exchange between different perspectives and beliefs, enabling us to build a common understanding on crucial issues for the future of Europe.

To effectively respond to these challenges, it is essential to encourage openness to listening and understanding each other’s needs. This inclusive approach is crucial because the European Union is more than just an economic institution; it is a project that profoundly shapes and impacts the lives of its citizens, respects human dignity and supports the pursuit of the common good.

In this context, churches, faith-based groups, as well as non-confessional and philosophical organisations, with their diverse perspectives, are integral to the daily lives of many Europeans. They are rooted in communities across all 27 Member States, whether in large cities, small towns, villages or rural areas.

I am firmly convinced that promoting and nurturing dialogue under Article 17 is of great importance to foster deeper understanding, mutual knowledge and peaceful coexistence, which, in turn, strengthen our democracy, by making it more resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all citizens.

An open and constructive dialogue can indeed enrich the European Union’s decision-making process, making it more transparent, participatory and focused on the common good, especially at a time when political and social challenges are increasingly interconnected, complex and often hard to interpret.