The trail of solidarity

“An opportunity for reflection on the challenges of solidarity in Europe, notably within the European Union”, Msgr. Piotr Jarecki, auxiliary bishop of Warsaw and vice-President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of the European Community (COMECE – www.comece.eu.), thus defined the first Catholic Social Days for Europe promoted by COMECE in conjunction with the European Solidarity Centre, to be held in Gdansk October 8 through 11. The theme of the meeting is “Solidarity – a Challenge for Europe”. “The principle of solidarity”, explained Msgr. Jarecki, who chairs the Days’ preparation Commission, “was chosen as the main theme of the event”, since “it is a pillar of Church social teaching and one of the fundamental principles of the European project”. Solidarity and the social doctrine of the Church. In view of the encounter, a few days ago the Commission chaired by the Polish bishop drew up a “Manifesto” which states: “The date and the place hold a highly significant value. Not only do they recall the beginning of the Second World War in 1939 and the end of the Communist regime in central and Eastern Europe in 1989”. They remind us also of John Paul II’s first apostolic visit to his homeland in 1979, “that was a factor in the creation of Solidarnosh in Gdansk”. The Polish Baltic Orchestra will open the ceremony in the afternoon of October 8 to the presence of Msgr. Slawoj Leszek Glodz and of Pawel Adamowicz, respectively the archbishop and the mayor of Gdansk; of COMECE president and bishop of Rotterdamn Msgr. Adrianus H. van Luyn,; and of father Maciej Zieba, director of the European Solidarity Centre. The opening Mass in the Church of Saint Brigid will follow suit, presided over by Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, archbishop of Milan. Msgr. Diarmuid Martin, archbishop of Dublin and former COMECE vice-president, will deliver the keynote address on “The theory and the reality of solidarity in the European Union – a reflection on the basis of the social doctrine of the Church” on October 9. Catholics’ engagement. In almost sixty years the EU, “created as an agreement confined to economic activity”, “has turned into a large community” with its own “political realm and extensive powers”, remarks a COMECE note. In the past years, “the Catholic Church support has become more targeted” and “her positive evaluations are often accompanied by critical remarks. Now that the EU has undertaken an open, transparent and ongoing dialogue with religions and Churches also Catholics ought to further develop their own European strategy” and step up cooperation “with other Christian traditions”. The Days’ reflections will focus on the human person (and the threat against the right to life, notably the moment of conception and its termination); on the decreasing numbers of European families and their lack of faith in the future; on Europe’s social and economic model (employment, poverty, social benefits, financial regulation); on the foundation of solidarity in the EU, especially after the enforcement of the Lisbon Treaty; world common good and Europe’s responsibility towards future generations. A concrete sign. The meeting will grant a concrete token of solidarity. In fact on October 9 Father Erny Gillen, President of Caritas Europe (Luxembourg), will present the social project “Bender Creativity Workshop”, coordinated by Caritas Europe in Transnistria, Republic of Moldavia, and aimed at providing support to Moldavian children lacking parent guidance due to mass migration and to the degradation of the traditional family structure. Many of these children are dropouts and are doomed to become the victims of exploitation. The project, aimed at providing 85 young people with necessary skills for small-scale agricultural activity, in addition to handcraft and painting skills, carving and sewing, will be financed with funds collected during the Days. Some 600 people are expected to attend the event; most of them are delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences. COMECE made known that representatives of European Catholic networks and religious orders will equally attend the meeting in Gdansk. Half of participants are less than 35. Speakers include Jacques Barrot, vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security; Hans-Gert Pöttering, former president of the European Parliament; Paul Dembinski, chairman of the Financial Observatory in Geneva; Maureen Junker-Kenny, Professor of Theology at the Trinity College in Dublin. Lech Walesa, ex-president of the Republic of Poland and founder of Solidarnosh is expected to attend the event. At the end of the meeting participants will deliver a final statement addressed to EU institutions’ political leaders.