A 2021 EU-linked report labeling conservative Christian groups as “religious extremists” has drawn accusations of bias, deepening political and cultural divides over religion and reproductive rights.
At a Glance
- The European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF) report warns of Catholic and Christian lobbying against abortion rights
- Christian advocacy groups accuse the EPF of bias and selective focus on Christianity
- Critics say the report ignores lobbying and influence by other religions, including Islam
- Both sides trade allegations over opaque funding and foreign donor influence
- The controversy fuels broader EU debates over religious freedom, secularism, and policy influence
Report and Reaction
In 2021, the EPF released “The Next Wave: How Religious Extremism Is Reclaiming Power,” alleging that well-funded Catholic and conservative Christian networks were influencing European policy to restrict abortion and reproductive rights. The report portrayed these groups as a mounting threat to secular governance, warning of coordinated lobbying across EU institutions.
Christian advocacy organizations, including Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, rejected the extremism label, arguing that the report seeks to stigmatize faith-based participation in public life. They accuse the EPF of applying double standards by targeting Christian activism while largely ignoring advocacy from other religious or ideological sources.
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Allegations of Selectivity and Funding Disputes
Opponents of the report have pointed to its omission of lobbying and influence by other religious communities, particularly Islamic networks, as evidence of ideological bias. They warn that such selective framing risks fostering distrust between faith communities and public institutions, while undermining the EU’s commitment to equal treatment.
The dispute has intensified with mutual accusations over “dark money.” The EPF claims Christian advocacy efforts are financed by wealthy donors with cross-border reach. In turn, Christian organizations highlight that the EPF receives substantial funding from philanthropic giants, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Open Society Foundations. These charges have fueled calls in Brussels for stricter rules on transparency in advocacy funding, regardless of religious or political alignment.
Broader Struggle Over Values
The fallout reflects a larger battle over the role of religion in shaping European law and policy. The abortion debate remains a central flashpoint, with both secularist and religious factions mobilizing across borders. EPF leaders argue that “anti-gender” movements are gaining power and rolling back sexual and reproductive freedoms. Religious groups counter that faith-based perspectives are a legitimate and necessary part of democratic debate.
Analysts note that both sides now operate sophisticated, professional advocacy networks, capable of influencing policy at the EU and member-state level. While new lobbying regulations may emerge from this dispute, the deeper question—whether faith-based advocacy is inherently a threat to secular democracy or a vital expression of pluralism—remains unresolved.
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