A vital presence

“Europe’s rich patrimony can’t be done away with”. This patrimony is deeply rooted in Christianity, also because Schumann, Monet, Adenauer and De Gasperi who were “Christian believers” pioneered its unity. This reflection opened the address delivered by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council on the occasion of a seminar held December 14 in Rome at the Urbaniana University titled, “After the ruling of the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg, which Christian roots for Europe?”. Given the topic, SIR Europe published once again excerpts from the Cardinal’s address on “Religion in Europe today”. Europe today. “Europe has changed and with her also Europeans have changed. Europe has become a multi-cultural and multi-religious reality. Contemporary Europe experienced a long period of peace and prosperity. However, from the religious standpoint it ought to be acknowledged that Europeans no longer experience Christianity as they did in the past. Christianity is no longer viewed as the founding value of European populations. Along with Christians, Europe today enjoys the long-dated presence of Jews, followed by Muslims, Buddhists, Animists. There are also agnostics and heathens. Owing to such faith diversity on European soil, religions have ceased being the fountainhead of unity. Indeed, in a system whereby laicity is understood as harbinger of peace in civil society, religion ceased acting as Europe’s cement. Christianity tends to be confined and secularization is no other than the expression, if not the result, of this development”.And the Churches? “The voice of the Churches is heard, however it doesn’t much affect individual choices… Contemporary Europe develops, expands, unites and makes projects without God… This gloomy picture wouldn’t faithfully reflect the truth if I didn’t add that the faithful are present today in Europe, Christians in particular. Indeed, Christians have become a minority. However this minority is a committed minority that shares with other faithful those values that draw inspiration from Christian patrimony, namely, the respect of the human person that cannot be reduced to economic performance or social position along with the defense of the fundamental freedoms of the human person, equality and solidarity”. God in Europe’s public arena. “Ten years ago God returned to be present in Europe’s public arena. Religion became a fashionable topic: books, publications, television debates, etc… are countless. In a recent address to the diplomatic corps French President Sarkozy declared, ‘climate change and the revival of religion are the two major challenges of the 21st century’…” We owe this progress to two factors, the first being the precariousness of contemporary society. The end of the myth of infinite progress, unpredictable economy and the experience of war (big and small) lead man to raise questions on his own future. Another factor is Islam that is now has the Western world’s second-largest religion. It is a visible Islam which doesn’t refrain from demanding increasing space and recognition”.The future of Christianity in Europe. “I wish to conclude with a question: does Christianity have future in present and future Europe? You won’t be surprised that my answer is positive. As relates to the Catholic Church, across the centuries she managed to adapt to all cultures and political situations, which include to persecution…. And today and tomorrow she will continue being able to find the path of the renewal in keeping faith to tradition, as it always did. The Church will accompany contemporary man in sharing ethical values, which, as said, are secularized Christian values. It is often spoken of the Churches’ difficulty in living with modernity. I personally believe that Christians are part and parcel of this modernity. They are the citizens of contemporary secular cities. Indeed, authentic Christian believers enter the dialogue of civilizations that prevents men from being numb, or subject to slogans and manipulation. Christian faithful are basically ‘resistant’. The end of Christianity was announced over and over again. Indeed, Nietzche declared, ‘the time of religions has ended. God has died’… History has shown that currently waning Christianity has a remarkable vitality, and has many surprises in store… To me this is the best of times, since God has ‘implanted’ me in this epoch to blossom and fructify. Christian faithful belong to this world, to this epoch, we have our own place and wish to be acknowledged as Christians to the service of everyone, for everyone’s good. We’re citizens, we’re not requesting asylum”.