A major forum taking place in Brussels today hopes to break new ground in the ongoing debate over the correct role for religion in politics.

The "Religion and Politics in the New Europe" forum has brought together MEPs, experts, advocates and public policy professionals on both sides of the debate, many for the first time, to discuss the relationship between government institutions and religious influences.

It will be hosted by Catholics for Choice, the European Parliament All-Party Working Group on the Separation of Religion and Politics and a number of members of the European Parliament from different political parties and countries. Experts from around the world will present their perspectives on this complex topic.

Jon O'Brien, President of Catholics for Choice, said, "We are happy to host this forum for members of the European Parliament as there can be great misunderstanding about the views of people of faith in the secular state.

"It is a fact that many people of faith believe in and support the secular state precisely because it protects all of us-- religious or otherwise--and celebrates our unique place in the community.

"At this time of increasing tension between secular and religious interests, Catholics for Choice believes that creating greater dialogue and understanding, through questioning ourselves and others is critical in bringing more light than heat to these tough questions of how to organise life and government."

Sessions will take place on 'Secularism and the Soul of Europe', and 'Equality, Religion and Representation in Europe' with other sessions including case studies on the situation in Spain, Sweden and Poland.

Participants will explore the appropriate role for religious beliefs in the secular state and whether a secular state can balance the competing interests of people with different religious beliefs. They will also consider whether the inclusion of even non-sectarian religious language in official government texts represents a bias against atheists and whether religions such as Catholicism and Islam delineate separate spheres of authority for religion and politics.

Proinsias De Rossa MEP (PES-IRL), said, "Democratic institutions are, by definition, secular institutions. There is simply no other sustainable way. The No set of religious beliefs should be accorded a special status in the Union."

"To remain tolerant of all religious beliefs the Union must remain separate and independent of all faith organisations. In this way, we can continue to build a European democratic space where everyone, of all religious persuasions, can be accommodated in full freedom."

Speakers include Jon O'Brien, President of Catholics for Choice, Keith Porteous Wood, National Secular Society, Åsa Regnér of the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, and Hubert Tournès, European Network Church on the Move (France).