Social Weeks: ” “Church-World dialogue

The ever-busy agenda tends to focus on the major themes of everyday life: the economy, employment, the family, healthcare, volunteering, poverty, State-society relations, the role of religion in the public arena, education, promotion and defense of rights, migrations, communication. The Social Weeks, while organized in different ways in different countries, grow and carve out significant room for a conscious and effective Christian presence in third millennium Europe. The Social Weeks, conceived in the course of the 20th century with the purpose of addressing the deep transformations of the time against the backdrop of Church social Doctrine, were in some cases promoted by active lay groups and in others by the Bishops’ Conferences. Today they constitute a vibrant patrimony in Italy, France, Germany, (Katholikentag), Spain (with the meeting in Alicante October 23-25, titled “For a new society. Challenges and proposals”). Similar and variably recent initiatives have taken place also in Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Ukraine… In some cases, dedicated initiatives include also ecumenical gatherings. These experiences are marked by common sensitivities. The underlying factor is the belief in a “continental dimension” of the social presence of Christianity, also owing to shared Christian roots, characterizing various initiatives at national level throughout Europe. The underlying belief is that a Church engrained within the social and cultural fabric of a Nation shares the problems and challenges of that “mundane” sphere, which in turn characterize and call into question Europe as a whole: whether it be the impact of the economic crisis or growing individualism; population ageing or accelerated secularism; migration waves; the affirmation of a multiethnic and multi-religious society or the innovations carried by the Internet or by prevailing consumerism. The Gospel message follows the same itineraries of contemporary men and women and it can prompt novelties, yeast, salt, every day light, in every situation and in all corners of the globe. Indeed, it has also emerged during the recent Catholic Social Days – promoted by CCEE and by COMECE – held in Madrid past September, which, as a matter of fact, were centred on the theme “Christian faith and the future of Europe”. The Spanish Week of Alicante follows the same direction, highlighting yet another aspect. In fact, the opening address was delivered by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, archbishop of Lyon. In order to clarify the reasons for this specific decision, Vicente Navarro de Luján, national chairman of the Social Weeks of Spain, explained that Cardinal Barbarin, “is not only held in high esteem and deeply respected, with a great talent for dialogue”, he is also “at the helm of a diocese, that of Lyon, that can serve as a paradigm of the problems experienced by other dioceses in Europe”. Here we see a Church that crosses national borders, precisely because the evangelizing mission has no borders; she does not let herself be muzzled by the maps. Indeed, she extends her glance to all human beings, communities and societies. A strong signal comes forth from the “European movement” of the Social Weeks. It may not be codified but it’s real, pertaining to that very “outgoing Church” inspired by Pope Bergoglio. A community of believers who – as firmly acknowledged during the Synod on the Family – yearns to listen, to dialogue, to evaluate without prejudice nor closures all the “signs of the times” in order to give renewed impetus to her very mission of love, peace, justice and solidarity.