More united, more effective” “

Protecting national identities, giving a “human face” to economic growth, intensifying dialogue between the Churches, especially on ethical and social issues: that’s what Europe expects from the Christian Churches, in view of the entry into the EU of ten new member states. The question of EU enlargement was at the centre of a consultation promoted by the Conference of the European Churches (CEC) in Budapest from 18 to 20 April. The aim of the meeting was to evaluate “the impact of EU enlargement in the new member states” and the “role of the Churches”. The participants in the consultation especially asked the Churches to promote the “protection of national identities”. According to the predictions of experts, national identities could suffer “a negative impact” as a result of the combination of various factors: opening up of frontiers, internationalisation of economies and globalization of cultures. The Hungarian Minister for European Affairs Endre Juhász – in his opening address – emphasised the presence in the life of the Union of “a constant risk of uniformity that demands to be checked every day”. The CEC consultation also underlined the “active” role that the Churches of the new member states could play in the process of European integration: they could become – said Bishop Gustáv Bölcskei of the Hungarian Reformed Church – “a means of consultation in the hands of politicians”. It is the task of the Churches – said Peter Pavlovic of CEC – to see to it that “economic prosperity and economic growth are not the only aims of European integration”. “The process – he added – needs to have a human face, capable of evaluating the social consequences of economic processes. And that can only happen if Europe is able to share solidarity between peoples, countries and regions in the future of the Union”. But the contribution that the Churches can make to the process of European integration is directly proportional to their unity. The Churches of Eastern and Western Europe have developed, for historical reasons, different perceptions of Christian values, especially in the ethical field, with different approaches to such values as the family, homosexuality and political commitment. “All this – says a CEC press release – demands to be better clarified and defined”. What remains unaltered is the Churches’ moral obligation to share a “significant” role in giving a social dimension to the Union, especially in the fields of poverty and the protection of the dignity of the person. The Catholic Church also promises the greatest support for the process of European integration in the 10 new member states. “The bishops – said Msgr. GIUSEPPE MERISI, representative of the Italian Episcopal Conference in COMECE – wanted to underline the importance of the present phase in the life of Europe, with the reunification of East and West. The continent will thus be able once again to breathe with both ‘lungs’, as the Pope has put it”. “Of course – added the bishop – the difficulties should not be underestimated. I am convinced however that the citizens of the 25 member states have a wish to share hopes and dreams, roll up their sleeves and try to smooth over their differences”. P Midade: European youth as peacemakers In a world lacerated by daily forms of violence, racism and intolerance, the most effective action for the construction of peace is through the education of youth by youth. Inspired by this conviction, the European Coordination of Catholic Movements for action on behalf of children (MIDADE) met in Paris from 16 to 22 April to reflect on the theme: “ Youth in Europe today, between peace and violence, tolerance and racism, dialogue and conflict“. “Young people and children today – says a press release – are living side by side with violence. Whether they are spectators, victims or perpetrators of it, violence is not absent from their lives. The young are protagonists of a real commitment to peace, tolerance and dialogue in Europe. Despite that we are witnessing a growth of phenomena of racism, violence and conflict in the youth world. These phenomena are often the manifestation of an underlying existential malaise. We are convinced that the most effective action to overcome them is the education of the young by the young”.