Europe, an ageing grandmother ” “or a young continent?

In today’s Europe, those who read the news are wondering which direction the continent is following, and where it will lead to. In his speech at the European Parliament (November 25 2014) Pope Francis said that the impression is that of “a Europe which is now a “grandmother”, “no longer fertile and vibrant”. The Pope, on that occasion, wanted to bring “a message of encouragement and hope”. What is the meaning of handing over this message to a Continent deemed to have gone astray? Where can we still find signs of hope and light? It is true that the European continent appears tired and old. We are witnessing tensions between Countries and governments; we are the spectators of a widespread want of ethical codes, both at personal and at moral-religious level. Along with this, we are experiencing problems which we tend to place under the label of “economic crisis”. In general terms, the European situation is getting worse every day. But we should ask ourselves: it is right to see and speak of Europe only as a whole? Isn’t it first of all a continent that consists in a large variety of regions, cultures and Countries? Isn’t this very variety that brought Europe to its historical grandeur? Indeed, for centuries we have called it “the Old Continent”, and not because of its actual age – which is the same for all continents and dates back to the creation of the world – but for the fact that it has been the fountainhead of cultural, religious and scientific riches that it shared with the entire world, although this often happened without due respect for existing cultures and civilizations. Despite the mistakes, from many angles ours is still seen as the “mother continent”. So why should it be different today? Why did Europe go from being a mother to being a grandmother? If we continue with this metaphor, with time her children will grow up and become independent, and this is natural and just, but we can’t automatically say that the European Continent has turned into an old, needy woman. A continent does not age like human beings. Rather, Europe has the precious opportunity of experiencing constant rejuvenations with the birth of new offspring. And although at first sight Europe may appear as “an old lady”, she is really such only if we consider her in this way. Of all world continents, Europe corresponds the least to the definition of a “whole”, a unity. Rather, Europe brings together many historical realities, true and contemporary, that incorporate possibilities of future and of growth – and this can be observed in many signs of beauty, youth an hope spread across the continent. For example, at a time when the threat represented by radical Muslims in Europe is widely spoken of, we should remember that when devastating floods hit Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia a few months ago Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox were working together to overcome the difficulties caused in their Countries by the floods, despite difficult situations at political, ethnical and historical level. Moreover, we are witnessing growing disinterest for faith in Europe. But it should be remembered that 25 years ago Albania was an atheist country, without religion, while today there are sons and daughters of atheist parents who are drawing close to the altar, in spite of a burdensome social and economic situation in the country. Another example: at a time marked by the loss of the sense of dignity of the human person, especially as relates to the beginning and end of life, it’s important to recognize also those who bear witness to a different belief, as shown in the popular demonstrations against legislation detrimental to the family in France and in other European countries, and by many people and families who live their love for life on a daily basis. In conclusion, it can be said that Europe is threatened by various factors: there are wrong ideas and wrong ideologies. Indeed, fair relations with Islam and other religions must be furthered. We are living at a time when religion is often seen as “backward” and where even Christians are discriminated against. We have to fight to promote and defend the dignity of human life at every moment. But this doesn’t mean that Europe has aged irreversibly. I see a future for Europe, a future that begins with people, considered as individuals loved by Jesus Christ. A future whose signs are perceivable when we notice the other side of the coin of mundane events, namely, the signs of life, of growth and faith at local level. These can be small signs in this moment, but is it not Jesus that teaches us that a grain of mustard seed can make a tree grow where birds of all kinds can find refuge? Europe, if “sowed” and “watered” by our faith in Jesus, can become a tree for everyone.