What should Berset say to the Pope?

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States have no friends, only interests. This also applies to the new honeymoon between the Confederation and the State of the Vatican.

Yes, it makes sense that Switzerland now has its own embassy to the Pope. Not out of love for the Pope, but because neutral Switzerland is interested in good relations with the Holy See. Vatican diplomacy is as famous as it is infamous.

When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, the papal nuncio remained in Kyiv as one of the few ambassadors. The Holy See has an official ambassador to Taiwan. Beijing is playing with fire in the South China Sea – every communication channel matters.

It’s enough? No! Despite all the spring fever between Rome and Bern, we must not forget about the major construction sites. The Holy See claims to work for human rights around the world. This is true, for example, in the fight against the death penalty. But as soon as it comes to gender issues, Rome pulls out a red card.

In UN organizations from Geneva to New York, papal envoys often form unholy alliances. For example, with Russia, Turkey, Indonesia and other authoritarian states.

But otherwise there is little reason for romance. Rome breaks Swiss laws every day. Equality is a foreign word for the papal church: women are still not allowed to become bishops or priests. The Catholic Church talks a lot about creation and nature, but still has a problem with sex. Swiss bishops are unwilling to hire pastors solely on the basis of professional criteria. And in the fight against a complex of abuses, the Swiss bishops are far from decisive.

The Federal Council makes things too easy for itself when it comes to cantons, when it comes to religious policy. It is not in the political interests of the state if Bern pursues only a reactive religious policy, for example, with the initiative of a minaret or a veil.

As ministers of the interior, federal councillors, Flavio Cotti and Pascal Couchepin, have shown that an active religious policy is also needed at the federal level. Kushpen founded the Council of Religions and actively sought out contacts with all relevant religious communities. Federal President and Minister of the Interior Alain Berset, a Catholic like Cotti and Couchepin, has so far avoided the religious question as the devil avoids holy water. He would rather indulge in fine culture than show superiority in religious matters. The Catholic Church is also supported by taxes.

A sober reality follows every honeymoon. After the “bella figura” that Cassis made in the Vatican, it’s time for more serious tones. Berset should use the next opportunity to do this. On May 6, when the new Swiss Guards are sworn in, the Federal President will be in Rome. With the Pope in person.

Source: Blick