Our open hands

Giving a "sign of hope" especially "to the young generations". To ensure that "fundamental ethical values" related to life, the family and the human person return to play a central role in public debate so as to provide assistance to weak brackets by means of dedicated services. This is the role of the Churches in contemporary Europe, grappling with an economic crisis that is seriously straining European populations, marked by surging unemployment and hampered growth rates. Maria Chiara Biagioni, SIR Europe correspondent, addressed these topical issues with Msgr. Francisco Pérez, Archbishop of Pamplona and Tudela, at the end of a meeting currently under way in Rome with bishops friends of the Folocolari Movement. What is the impact of the crisis on Spanish population? "As many as 6 million people in Spain have lost their jobs. Unemployment involves 50% of the young population. Politicians say that this difficult situation is bound to come to an end. But in my opinion it will take a long time before the economy will resume its course. Major squandering and scarce saving marked the past years. Recovery will be even more difficult. Moreover, present lifestyle is detached from the ongoing crisis which requires more austerity and more solidarity and cooperation on the part of everyone. I also think that the crisis – whose effects are also economic – is basically an ethical crisis. We live without referring to fundamental moral values, and when these values are not part of education programs, when they are not present in the family and in the political realm, everyone seeks self-interest, ignoring the rights of others. Thus the crisis is increasingly harder to uproot". There is also a housing problem. Families have bought property taking out loans with very high interest rates. Is it the case of Spain? "It’s a big problem. Families can no longer afford mortgage payments on their homes, for reasons also linked to redundancies. Before this situation and against the background of widespread poverty the Church does her utmost. Caritas provides a very significant support to this regard. It’s the open hand of the Church. It’s the hand conveying the motherly love of the Church that is near those in need. In Madrid for example, the State left one thousand housing units to Caritas management. Major efforts are being made, but many situations are hard to solve. Immigrants who chose Spain as the destination of their future lives are now fleeing the country to return to their country of departure. We’re also witnessing a counter-trend: Spanish people are migrating to England, Germany and Australia. The young seek job opportunities, which in Spain are lacking, so they decide to look for a job abroad". Does the crisis foment divisions? "Both in Catalonia and in the Basque territories separatism is a historical reality whose roots are to be found in a distant past, which is unrelated to the ongoing crisis. It’s the identification of a land that claims independence". Before a crisis of such large proportions, how does Spain view Europe? "There are many opinions, all very different. Some think it would have been better not to adopt the euro currency. Other believe that participating in the European Community is a benefit for Spain. Others still believe we aren’t competitive enough on the European market. But we can’t afford to detach ourselves from reality. We can’t return to the pesetas. This is not the time to call Europe into question. Such an approach doesn’t benefit the present nor the future". You mentioned an ‘ethical crisis’. Could you explain what you mean with this expression? "We are no longer aware of the value of the human person. We have lost it by approving laws such as abortion and euthanasia, which is already legalized in some areas in Europe and which is becoming an integration part of national government’s mindsets. I also consider it the result of a very weak education, which is not supported by those values that I call virtues, where the reference to transcendence has been eliminated and the family is destroyed by separations and divorce". Doesn’t the Church risk being considered traditional and conservative, especially by youths? What is your opinion? "I don’t think so. The truth is neither traditionalist nor progressive. The truth is the truth. And I also think that the truth wins, while lies are short-lived. We are living times whereby the Church called to speak the truth of the Gospel and as Benedict XVI says a man without God is a dehumanized man. A humanism without God is inhuman humanism". Which role can be played by the Church?"The Church has a very simple role: to show the face of God in the love of God and in the love of our fellow-others like ourselves. This approach is critical to the establishment of true relaitons. Societies, and young people in particular, often fall victim of boredeom and desperation. Suicide rates increase as there is no way out. I think that a sign of hope is expected from the Church".