More present and more visible

Economic crisis, Europe’s tendency to confine religion to the private sphere, ethical questions regarding human life are the themes addressed by Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, Archbishop of Warsaw in an interview with Anna Kowalewska (Sir Europe). "We must not permit – he said – as has happened in recent years, that Europe, born of Christianity, is ashamed of the Cross and of other Christian symbols". The Cardinal was appointed Archbishop of Warsaw on March 3rd 2007. Benedict XVI elevated him to the cardinalship at the Concistory of November 20 2010 with the Presbyteral title of Sts. Silvestro e Martino ai Monti. This year Poland is expected to register the highest economic growth (+ 2.5% of its GDP) compared to all EU Countries. Nonetheless the crisis is felt also in Warsaw. What could be the contribution of the Church to economic recovery? "Benedict XVI has tirelessly reiterated it. He said it in the encyclical ‘Caritas in Veritate’, but then he repeated many times that the roots for recovering from numerous crises of the modern times, which aren’t only economic and financial, lies in abandoning ourselves to a profound faith in Christ. Faith is no longer the source of inspiration of our daily work. When things went well it appeared that political, economic and military integration would be enough for Europe. But as soon as the first difficulties began to loom on the horizon, slogans on mutual solidarity and mutual support, calling for the implementation of subsidiarity, lost all concreteness. Everyone shut the doors of their homes, concerned only of themselves. Today it is evident that we have been unable to build a united Europe because the foundations of values, and notably those values that are rooted in Christianity, were lacking. Problems and crises affecting Atlantic civilization, democracy and the economy cannot be solved unless values are recovered. These values include ascesis, and the ability to share with others what we have, thus acting in the opposite direction of avidity".How can the Church encourage European institutions to consider ethical principles in the decision-making process? "It is necessary to encourage all attempts aimed at promoting ample debate with contemporary society at the level of the Bishops’ Conferences and of the Holy See. The Church is also tasked with forming Christians to put into practice Church Magisterium, refusing to accept that religion be confined to the private sphere".Are you referring to the lack of mention to the Christian roots in the European Constitution, supported by the Church and by Polish authorities? "In everything we do, as professionals and as politicians, we always should bear in mind that we are Christians. Relegating religion to the private sphere is a dangerous trend. In the contemporary world, limiting individual religiousness to the private sphere and pretending to be secular or even atheist is viewed as an easy solution. To bear Christian witness in the world, in social and family life, in the working environment and in the political realm is much harder, since in that case professing one’s faith is not theoretic but concretely practised in everyday life. Giving in to the limitations imposed on Catholics or deliberately concealing our faith would go against the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. We must not permit, as has happened in recent years, that Europe, born of Christianity, is ashamed of the cross or of other Christian signs. How has the defence of the cross in Italy been reported by the media? The media gave ample coverage of the judgement of first instance that ruled against the display of the cross, while they ignored the second instance judgement that ruled in favour of it, as it wasn’t in line with contemporary world views".Good deeds aren’t only performed by Catholics, by Christians. What is the difference between Christians and non-Christians to this regard? "In all those areas where good deeds are done by faithful and non-faithful, Catholics should have one more reasons to do better. The deeds of Catholics should prompt others to wonder where their conviction and strength of doing good unto others comes from. There are also other areas where Catholics should be present and bear Christian witness. For example, our presence is necessary in case of decisions regarding the value of human life from the moment of conception to its natural termination, in the case of questions regarding euthanasia and abortion and all other issues related to bioethics. These are not Christian problems. These are problems concerning the human person, thus Catholics must be in the front line".