Voices in the Wilderness: the Established Church of England and the European Union *

摘要

The interrelation between church and state in the UK is informed to a considerable degree by the anomalous status of the Church of England as the established church for a major part (though not by any means all) of its territory. This paper examines the historical inheritance of establishment and evaluates the manner in which this informs the dynamic between the secular and spiritual authorities. It considers the place of religion within the European Union (EU) as viewed by its institutions and by individual faith communities. While there is discernible evidence of respect being afforded to the sacred within the organs of EU governance in terms of the recognition of Christian roots of Western Europe and dialogue with religious representatives, this is neither systematic nor universal. The Church of England in particular is yet to find its voice in the corridors of influence in Brussels, and it is ventured that the anachronism of establishment may be part of the reason for this.