Provided it is “great”

Established on March 3 1980, COMECE is the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, represented by the delegates of EU Member States’ Bishops’ Conferences. The delegate bishops of Croatia and Switzerland participate to plenary meetings as observers. The purpose of COMECE, whose Permanent Secretariat is seated in Brussels, is to accompany and analyze the EU’s political process, to report to the Church the developments of EU legislation and policies, to encourage the reflection founded on the social Magisterium of the Church regarding the challenges posed to the erection of united Europe. The bishops convene twice a year in plenary sitting to establish the guidelines of the General Secretariat’s activity. The executive committee is composed by the President, Msgr. Adrianus van Luyn, Bishop of Rotterdam; by the two vice-presidents: Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux, and Cardinal Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb, and by Secretary General father Piotr Mazurkiewicz. After the high-level conference on “EU Enlargement – Five Years After” organised on March the 2nd in Prague by the Czech Presidency in cooperation with the European Commission, and in view of the European Parliament elections (June 2009), Giovanna Pasqualin Traversa, for SIR Europe, interviewed Father Piotr Mazurkiewicz on the value and actuality of the European project and on the challenges and tasks for the Church.What is the significance and meaning of the European project for the Church? “For the Church this significance in encompassed in the values that inspired the founding fathers of Europe: Schuman, Adenauer and De Gasperi, who called for the establishment of a place of peace, democracy and justice after the horrors of the conflict. They envisaged the European ‘dream’, which began with an economic cooperation project for reconstruction, viewed as an effective tool for reconciliation and progress. The Church still today views it as crucial for the future of the Continent”. Europe is founded on economic, political and institutional pillars, but it has an ethical foundation, which is being increasingly questioned. How can the Church contribute to this regard? “Before the widespread secularization, the Church must give priority to its pastoral commitment. All present difficulties stem from the loss of faith. This affects the fundamental values that pertain to faith and that are part of Europe’s cultural patrimony. The Church is also called to ethically inspire Europe’s social, political and economic life, the same goes for national Churches in the respective Countries. We ought to make political or legislative proposals while ensuring the respect of its values, since these proposals ought to aim at the good of man and society”. Which are the most delicate issues today? “Secularization is accompanied by an anthropological crisis which I consider Europe’s most serious problem. The consequences are serious and they affect fundamental issues such as the protection of the individual and of human life, the statute of the embryo, the concept of marriage and of the family, youth education and the definition of the common good. The ethical commitment of the Church to this regard is not always viewed positively or accepted by politicians. This is one of the major difficulties in the dialogue with the institutions in Brussels”.And what about the other environments?“The world economic crisis and the serious consequences of climate changes require, among other things, that everybody change their lifestyles to the benefit of a greater sobriety and temperance. To this regard, politicians expect that the Church will inspire individuals and convince them to bring about this change, giving priority to ‘being’ and not to ‘having’. Public debate is often focused on ‘politically correct’ terminology, representing all that is easily accepted by the general public. But ‘political correctness’ doesn’t necessarily coincide with the common good. From this viewpoint Church teaching on themes pertaining to the environment, the economy and social justice is considered ‘politically correct’. While it isn’t when it is aimed at protecting human life throughout all of its stages or the family founded on marriage”.What emerged, in particular from last week’s Euro-parliament meeting? “First of all that religion can still act as an inspiring element for citizens and for political life. It is strictly linked to European identity. The meeting proposed a reflection upon common values, thus highlighting the importance of greater cooperation between Churches, and more in general between religious communities and civil bodies in environments such as migration policies, problems linked to the environment, the contribution to reconciliation between the different parties after armed conflicts”. You come from Poland, a part of Europe that John Paul II viewed as one of the two lungs of the continent. Could you draw us a balance of the past five years of Poland’s adhesion to the EU? “Europe is a very small continent but it is formed by different nations, each one of which has a long history and cultural tradition. This diversity represents Europe’s peculiarity. Coexistence within EU borders brought about mutual enrichment. To us East-European citizens it acted as the gateway to Western culture. In Brussels I listen to the contribution of people from different Countries and I find it interesting to see that the same issues are addressed from different standpoints. I realize that those who come from Central and Eastern Europe find it easier to speak about religion in the public arena, compared to Western Europeans. For us Poles, for example, under the Pontificate of John Paul II Christianity was a synonym of peace, freedom and justice, and the Church was the guarantor of these rights. In general, I believe that the entry of Poland and of other Central and European Countries in the EU contributed to the economic and democratic development of this area”. Is there a risk that integration could turn into cultural standardization? “ It’s a possibility that must be averted. If even one of the cultures constituting the European mosaic were to disappear, this would be a serious loss for the entire continent. Diversity is a great opportunity for all of us. This is why Europe must be multicultural, in the full respect and preservation of all religious and cultural identities. From this depends our strength. We are Europeans because we are Italians, Poles etc. But it’s important that each bears in mind his peculiar history and tradition, ascribing to these the value they justly deserve. As John Paul II said, we can try to protect our cultures through juridical tools but no law can give life to a culture if this is not cherished as a treasure and if it doesn’t continue living within us”. Is COMECE planning initiatives in view of June’s elections? “As has been customary for many years, probably also in view of these elections the Bishops will issue a statement that Christian electors are called to reflect upon in order the responsibly choose the candidates who will represent them in Strasbourg”. COMECE recently expressed its positive view of the “Written Declaration on the Protection of the Work-Free Sunday”…“It’s a cross-party initiative that is supported by MEPs from different political groups, which is very important. The protection of Sunday rest doesn’t involve only Christian faithful. Festive Sunday is a basic pillar of the European social model and is part of the cultural patrimony of the Continent. It also is an important factor of conciliation between professional and family life. We hope that the Declaration will be endorsed by a sufficient number of MEPs (394 signatures by May 7 2009, ed.’s note) for EU-Parliament adoption. This gesture would carry a highly symbolical significance”.