Christoph Prantner on the return of theological politics

Austrian journalist Christoph Prantner fears the "re-theologizing of politics" in Europe: "It seems as if the Reconquista is returning: In Spain, France and Italy, political Catholicism is showing new signs of life. … But why is there such an offensive Second Coming of what its detractors used to call 'Pfaffenpolitik' [theo-politics] at this particular time? One underlying reason is the confrontation with Islam in recent years. Anyone who wants to argue against Islamist-inspired terrorism can glibly draw on Christian-based moral concepts, as did President Nicolas Sarkozy in his recent speech. ... But that is exactly what highlights the danger of this discourse: If politics becomes a matter of faith – as with Islamists – then the bargaining room contracts dramatically. Belief is absolutely non-negotiable. This may not frighten people with a terrorist orientation to politics. But Europe's rationalist tradition-bound Catholic Church should take it into consideration."

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