Building Europe

Intense days at COMECE headquarters (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community), in Square de Meeûs in Brussels, a few steps away from the seat of the European Parliament. On October 1st began a round of meetings titled “Europe, Politics and Beyond”, expected to be at the centre of debates and prepare the grounds for the European elections of May 2014. On October 2 took place the Missa pro Europa, in the beautiful of church Notre Dame au Sablon, presided over by the archbishop of Malines-Bruxelles, Msgr. André-Joseph Léonard, co-celebrated by Msgr. Gintaras Linas Grusas, archbishop of Vilnius, and Msgr. Jean Kockerols, COMECE vice-President. A dialogue seminar on climate change is scheduled to take place on October 17, organized in conjunction with CEC and the European Commission. In the meantime, continues the COMECE Secretariat’s daily activity of analysis of EU legislation and of the activities and programs promoted by the “common home”. At the end of November will take place the plenary assembly of the COMECE delegate bishops, while meetings on the integration process will be resumed. “The Church has always followed closely the path of European unity and still today it has clear and encouraging words, open to encounter, on the basis of a Christian, cultural and pastoral vision” Fr Patrick Daly, COMECE general secretary, told SIR Europe’s journalist Gianni Borsa.  The first of a set of meetings on Community building process, devoted to “the common good” with the keynote address of Fr Patrick Riordan (Heythrop College in London), held at the Chapel for Europe, attracted great attention and large numbers of participants. Which other items are on the agenda? “We wanted to delve into issues that are at the centre of the European debate, which are especially interesting for EU citizens and for the Church as a whole. On November 13 we will delve into the theme of migration and human trafficking. On December 3 it will be the turn of security and peace-building activity; on January 7 we will speak of the family in the 21st century. Finally, in February we will open up to a markedly theological and spiritual perspective, with a focus on the transcendent horizon and the ultimate destiny of humanity”. Professor Riordan’s contribution led us to focus on the common good, which in the ongoing crisis strives to be perceived, with an emphasis on populisms and resurgent egoism… “It’s a complex issue. It is certainly evident that the common good is understood as a set of shared interests or the good of the majority population. Conversely, it stands out as a balanced and dynamic research aimed at identifying the good of the human person, considered in all his/her dimensions, and of humankind as a whole. And Europe must extend its horizon beyond its borders, since the peace and the wellbeing of populations that are distant from us impacts Europe, and most important, it lies within everyone’s responsibilities. All considered, we must not escape the world horizon of the common good. The crisis we are living is a confirmation of rhia”. The set of scheduled meetings on politics and European societies anticipates next year’s European elections. Useless denying that in EU institutions there is a certain degree of concern over the constituencies’ attendance to the polls. Do you think that citizens are aware of the activity of European institutions?  “Citizens ought to be the protagonists of this complex political undertaking. But it is necessary for citizens to let their voices heard and institutions must be willing to listen. It is also our commitment to resonate the voice of European citizens and raise public awareness on topical issues. In fact, there are many believers committed in the promotion of social good and continental integration. The Church reminds us of this responsibility and commitment. And it is also the desire of Pope Francis”. In which way?”The Pope highlights a perspective of peace, that starts with the forlorn, the outcast, the migrants. This approach requires a reflection on the youth, on the family… And Christians must adopt a constructive, critical and attentive approach, so as to give their own contribution to the European building. Along this path we must always be guided by the words of ‘Gaudium et Spes’: ‘The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ”.