“The Church loves Europe” ” “A strong message from Madrid

The Pope’s visit to Strasbourg, scheduled for November 25, is awaited with great anticipation. The destination of the first public gathering of Pope Bergoglio in the European Union is not a Country but the seat of the Community body directly elected by European citizens, which represents – like or not – a cross-border integration symbol. The expectation is perceivable by European bishops gathered in Madrid September 18-21 to celebrate the Second Catholic Social Days. The theme is intentionally overarching, namely, “Christian faith and the future of Europe”, meant to expand as much as possible the debate involving the representatives of the episcopates and a varied group of “committed” representatives of lay society (associations, volunteering, politics, the family, enterprises, university, media…). In fact, as reiterated by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich-Freising, President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of the European Community (COMECE) that promotes the event in conjunction with the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, (CCEE), “the Catholic Social Days are meant to reinterpret contemporary challenges in the light of the faith in Christ”. For four days 200 participants from some thirty Country discussed the following challenges: the economic crisis and its serious social repercussions; the surging tensions across the continent, starting with Ukraine and other world regions, which ever more often escalate into the tragedy of war; the essential principles stemming from tradition and faith put at dire test by the progress of secularization and materialism; the progressive ageing of the population, unchanged despite migration flows, which are a problem in itself. Other two major knots are the weakening of the institution of marriage; along with the situation of Christian communities, expressed with subtle hints, that are experiencing a progressive exodus from the churches (in some cases rapid, in others slower and contained) despite a rediscovery of the spiritual and transcendent spheres. Europe is vast and diverse, plural more than ever before, to the extent that some observers speak of various “Europes”. But there are shared issues to face, the transformations under way are the same, they are widespread and deeply rooted. At the same time, a strong call for unity was heard in Madrid, rejecting discouragement and raising the glance to humanity, to identify new horizons of hope. The strong points are the Gospel (“we are and we intend to remain in the heart of Christ”) and the Social Doctrine (“firm – but not static – values; principles are measured against the benchmark of history and prompt new paths, passionate testimonies, original responses to the expectations of humanity”.) The human person is at the centre: it must be a new point of departure. Maybe that’s also why the Days in Madrid were not closed with a “final statement”. The Social Days are in fact perceived as a new phase, a passage, a time for sharing, to give new thrust to human promotion and evangelization in an ever-changing situation. The two ecclesial bodies already look ahead at the next commitments: the CCEE assembly in Rome in the beginning of October on the eve of the Synod; the COMECE plenary in mid November, whose major event is a pilgrimage in Verdun, to pray and commemorate the victims of all wars one hundred years since the outbreak of the First World War. It is not by chance: peace and the family, namely, the human person at the centre of Church mission. It was confirmed by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, CEI president and CCEE Vice-President, who shared his reflection in Madrid: “The Church loves Europe, and that’s why she offers what it holds dearest, and most precious: Jesus Christ”. The message of Jesus “illuminates our presence in the Continent. It’s the missionary thrust of the ‘outgoing Church’, that Pope Francis calls for, to bear witness and to proclaim the joy of the Gospel”. That same Pontiff, which to date was reflective over Europe, who will deliver messages of light unto the Old Continent.