Vatican official says anti-religious bias was evident during the lockdown

Vatican official says anti-religious bias was evident during the blockade



As people spent more time online during the coronavirus blockade, negative comments and even hate speech based on national, cultural or religious identity increased, a Vatican representative said.

Discrimination on social media can lead to violence, the final step in a "slippery track that starts with mockery and social intolerance," said Msgr. Janusz Urbanczyk, representative of the Holy See to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Urbanczyk was one of over 230 representatives of OSCE member nations, intergovernmental organizations, marginalized communities and civil society who attended an online meeting on 25-26 May to discuss the challenges and opportunities for strengthening tolerance during the pandemic and in the future.

Participants discussed the importance of inclusive policies and coalition building in strengthening diverse and multi-ethnic societies, as well as the need for early action to prevent intolerance from escalating into open conflict, an OSCE statement said.

According to Vatican news, Urbanczyk reported at the meeting that hatred of Christians and members of other religions has a negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"These include threats, violent attacks, murders and desecrations of churches and places of worship, cemeteries and other religious properties," he said.

Also of "great concern," he said, are attempts to profess respect for religious freedom while also attempting to limit religious practice and expressions in public.

"The false idea that religions could have a negative impact or pose a threat to the well-being of our societies is growing," said Monsignor.

Some of the specific measures taken by governments to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic concerned the "de facto discriminatory treatment" of religions and their members, he said.

"Fundamental rights and freedoms have been limited or waived throughout the OSCE area", including in places where churches have been closed and where religious services have suffered more restrictions than in other areas of public life.