A futureless Europe?

On the eve of the World Meeting of Families (Milan May30-June 3) that will be concluded by a vigil prayer and the Mass celebrated by Benedict XVI, Sarah Numico, of SIR Europe, asked some questions to Father Piotr Mazurkiewicz, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community. On the same topic SIR Europe interviewed cardinal Péter Erdõ, president of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, CCEE (click here).Is there a place, a political responsibility specifically dedicated to the family at a European level?"Family policies are up to Member States. It is such an important subject that it must remain as it is. New situations have been created due to the integration process, where in cross-areas, linked for example to cases like matrimonies among citizens of different nationality, the EU has the competence. Like with the cooperation directive enforced by EU countries on divorce, to clarify which laws to apply in cases of divorce. In general it would not be correct to transfer national competence at European level, also because rules and family laws differ from country to country and it is necessary to protect more traditional situations, preventing a European Law from changing domestic ‘good practices’. Education is another area of competence of Member States. There are areas such as reproductive health and abortion or issues on homophobia and homosexual couples, on which the Parliament emits non binding rulings, the so called ‘soft law’, that become jurisprudential theories which inspire national policies".How do you explain the fact that couples live together and feel less the need get married? "Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa, highlighted that youngsters have problems in taking definitive decisions about their life, such as marriage or priesthood. This is true not only for Christians and Catholics, but for Europeans in general. From a sociological point of view one can ascribe some of the responsibility to the family image that can play a negative role, when for example parents are divorced. Furthermore, it is also linked to life styles, where one can no longer perceive the difference between living in chastity of someone who is alone and someone who us married; or that studying and getting a career is more important than family life, especially among women. I think that if churches are empty, this has consequences on society and relations: deep faith not only has an impact on practical life, but changes the perception of the world, in our position and relation with others. In taking decisions, our approach changes if we think that life ends in this world or if we are open to the eternal one. Faith changes our decisions also in love matters". Don’t we risk being too pessimistic when alarmed by fewer births in Europe while the world population is growing?"I think the children issue also reflects a life of faith and when faith is deeper the family grows and there is a strong investment in children, which also represent an element of sacrifice. The education and formation model of children has changed, and parents often feel alone. In a large family this sensation is not as strong because there are relations among family members; one learns and lives fraternity at home. We are often worried because economic means are confused with the ability to love and raise children. Europe is now undergoing a demographic winter, while in Africa it is spring, and this obviously has nothing to do with wealth. The reasons are elsewhere! The demographic crisis is not connected to the financial one. The latter will pass, whereas the first one will remain, because it involves value choices, issues of hope. Malthusian theory, according to which land and resources would have ended if demographic growth hadn’t stopped, turned out to be false. The core aspect is whether we are open to life or not". What message can Churches deliver to politics, in defence of the family?"From our point of view family politics plays a fundamental role in Europe’s future. It is therefore very important to guarantee a sound economic and social context. There is an urgent need to create condition without contradictions between the family and professional achievements, especially among women, who have specific rights pertaining to their nature that must be acknowledged. Families, especially large ones, must feel backed by national governments and not ‘punished’, with less help".