Not at the margins

"As Christians we must not play a marginal role in Europe, only complaining about what goes wrong. We have to be part of the process of European construction, contributing with our commitment and our values that are rooted in the Gospel". Card. Reihnard Marx, Archbishop of Munich-Freising, draws a balance of the COMECE assembly (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community), held in Brussels on March 21-23, where he was elected new president of the ecclesial body. He told SIR Europe: "COMECE will continue to follow its path, working in accordance with its founding principles, that is, it will continue to accompany the political agenda of the Union. In addition to this, it will make its own contribution" to the "common home" in terms of "Christian-inspired ideas and projects".A continent of hope. "Throughout its history Europe has already faced many crises and the current one might not be the last. Yet Europe carries within itself the strength and the hope to overcome difficult moments. Europe is a continent of hope". Card. Marx briefed journalists on the outcome of the Plenary Assembly that focused on the economic crisis, demographic issues, and on the EU’s relations with the rest of the world. He said: "We often use the expression ‘old continent’ to designate Europe. I would rather say that it is an ‘Aging Continent’, but without giving the term a negative connotation. There is a need to start viewing ageing", a growing phenomenon that is affecting the European population, "not only as a problem, but as a resource". Card. Marx, quoting Jean Monnet, added: "Europe has to make its contribution to a better world, and this can only be achieved by starting with the small things of everyday life, with the issues people have at heart. For example, we are called to show solidarity with the last, the poor, the weak, both in Europe and in the rest of the world. Likewise – he pointed out – we need to identify and support the great ideals that are part of our European history, which are our compass for the future. Among them are the teachings of the Gospel, which lies at the heart of European development". "Worried about nationalisms". "We would like – Card. Marx continued – to strengthen the unity of Europe, to achieve a union of values, a communion of principles, which goes beyond the diversity and specificity of individual" member states. "To achieve this, we need to be sensitive to the needs of people, to commit ourselves to human dignity so as to give a concrete form to the fundamental values of solidarity and subsidiarity". Finally, the cardinal told SIR Europe about his "concern over the rise of nationalism, of barriers, of exclusively economic interests. Europe needs to become a great common ideal". Msgr. Adrianus Van Luyn, former COMECE president for a six-year term, remarked: "In the past days I stressed the need for dialogue in Europe. Dialogue understood as the main condition for the peaceful coexistence of different peoples; dialogue between generations; dialogue between Churches and EU bodies; dialogue between Europe and the rest of the world". "The spirit of dialogue appeals to the youth", who "know how to put themselves to the service of reconciliation, peace and mutual understanding. They are willing to exchange their respective visions of life and human values. It is therefore necessary to give them attention and understanding". The auxiliary bishop of Warsaw Msgr. Piotr Jarecki, re-confirmed COMECE vice president, said: "I am honoured to convey the voice of my country, of the Polish Church, of Eastern Europe, to this assembly. We must give an original and significant contribution for a more united Europe, respectful of diversities". Msgr. Jean Kockerols, auxiliary of Malines-Bruxelles, said: "For a long time COMECE has been strongly committed in bringing an important added value to the life of the European Church and of the EU". Active aging, the family. At the end of the plenary meeting dedicated to social and demographic themes, COMECE bishops underlined in a statement that "ageing should not be considered simply as a burden but as a benefit for society: elderly people are gifted with professional and life experience which has to be passed on to the younger generations". The Commission of European Bishops’ Conferences also added: "The willingness of elderly people to engage in volunteering activities, in civic movements and especially in pastoral work within parishes and church communities, is crucial for the common good of our societies. Generations cannot live only for themselves but they have to rely on each other", the bishops pointed out. The COMECE bishops stated that "The key role of the family in looking after elderly people requires the support of the State and other public bodies" which may take the form of paid time off for care workers, and the economic value of family care in the home for elderly members should be taken into account in assessing the terms for retirement and pensions. The Bishops call upon Member States to adopt family-friendly fiscal policies and child-care facilities.