The real stars

As we approach the end of 2007, and wish to draw up a balance sheet of these past twelve months, we cannot but be happy about the new progress made in the process of European integration – the adoption of the new Reform Treaty, the extension of the Schengen zone – and about the sound economic health of the old continent. But what about the “health” of its citizens? The general disgruntlement has not grown any less in the course of the year. For some time we have already noted a growing malaise practically everywhere in Europe, especially in the poorer sections of our populations. The outward manifestation of this malaise are many: feelings of insecurity, the rejection of foreigners, the advance of extremist parties, the revolt of the banlieues… The list is long and the examples are glaring in every country. But it is especially the cruel lack of hope from which the Europeans are now suffering, tempered here and there by some announcements of encouraging rates of growth. The recent encyclical of Benedict XVI, Spe salvi , has come just at the right time to remind us of the need to restore a perspective of hope to the men and women of our time. Far from indulging in a moralizing sermon, the Pope reminds us that man is not just the product of economic conditions. Man is both the result and generator of multiple relations: mutual assistance, sharing, solidarity, love. And the Pope invites Christianity and society to dialogue and self-criticism. We may totally agree with Benedict XVI when he writes that the best structures always have a need for convictions. Institutions must be based on convinced and free persons: those who are free to make and repeat the choice of the common good every day. That goes for politicians, of course, but also for each citizen, irrespective of his/her degree of influence – or of dependence – in society.This is a challenge – the pursuit for the common good – that needs to be tackled in European societies that are increasingly characterized by individualism. Hope will only be revived if each person be capable of humanity, of a humanity that inspires us to love our fellowmen and to share our own joys – and perhaps even more so – our sufferings with others. We are very far from being so, if we observe the political circle of some national parliaments, but this is no reason to interrupt the process. In this sense, Spe salvi would be excellent bedtime reading for many.In the days of Christmas, this encyclical brings a gleam of hope to contemporary Europe. And Benedict XVI cites our common responsibility: “ The real stars of our life are those who have known how to live in rectitude; they are the lights of hope“ . And are not the stars also part of the European flag?A fine challenge for Europe’s political leaders, but also for each citizen: to be or to become these beacons that irradiate light around them and that also have the ability to revive hope. A sweet utopia? Let this old Europe bet on it!