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The Holy Father John Paul II received the participants at the 10th Symposium of European bishops in audience in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace on Thursday 25 April 2002, and made this address to them which we publish below: Venerated Brothers in the Episcopate! 1. With great joy I receive you on the occasion of your tenth Symposium and to each of you I express my warm welcome. In particular, I wish to greet the President of the Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE), Msgr. Amédée Grab, and to thank him for the sentiments of profound communion with the successor of Peter which he expressed on behalf of all of you. As I have already had occasion to recall in other circumstances, the ecclesial function of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe represents a providential fruit of Vatican Council II, and a special gift of communion for our time. In the course of past decades, these meetings have provided the opportunity to intensify among the various Catholic communities in Europe those relations of evangelic charity that make them authentic homes and schools of communion. In meeting you, my memories go back to the various symposia in which I was able by the grace of God to participate as Archbishop of Cracow. I remember especially that of 1975, when I had the honour to be one of the main speakers. Each meeting has provided an opportunity to tackle aspects and projects of the new evangelization, a great apostolic enterprise that involves the Christian people as a whole. 2. Of particular significance is the theme chosen for this tenth Symposium: Youth of Europe in the process of change. Laboratory of the Faith. Each Pastor knows that his prime responsibility is to help the faithful to meet Christ. A meeting that, over the last two thousand years, has transformed the life of millions of people and of whole generations of Europe. How can we fail to feel strongly our responsibility to safeguard these Christian roots? Indeed, it is just the young who are asking that the seed of the Gospel be sown today in a new way in their hearts. It is they who repeat to us, sometimes in a demanding way, their eagerness for the “good news”. Yes, dear Brothers, we feel the urgent need to present to the new generations as the sole Redeemer of man the Jesus who, being God, wished out of love to enter into the wounds of history to the point of experiencing abandonment on the Cross. In response to the absence of values and the deep existential questions being posed by present-day society, we must proclaim and testify that Christ took upon himself the questions, the aspirations and even the sufferings of humanity in every age. By his resurrrection He fully made possible the realization of the desire for life and eternity that dwells in the heart of each man and especially of the young. Europe has an urgent need to meet this God, who loves man who makes himself present in each human trial and tribulation. But for this to happen, it is indispensable that believers be ready to bear witness to their faith by their life. Ecclesial communities will then develop that are mature, prepared and ready to use every means for the new evangelization. 3. Dear young people, I greet you with affection. I find it particularly significant that you, the hope of the Church and of Europe, should be present at this Symposium. It interests you closely because, in the current social context, it is to you that the Church is looking with particular attention. She awaits from you the gift of an existence fully faithful to Christ and his message of salvation. In this liturgical time resplendent with the light of the Risen Christ, I hope that He may give you his peace. May He be for each of you the Master, as he was for the disciples at Emmaus. And may you, dear friends, follow him faithfully with enthusiasm and perseverance. Don’t permit him to be marginalized. The Gospel is indispensable for renewing culture; it is indispensable for building a future of real peace in Europe and in the world. It’s up to you, dear young people, to make this contribution. Don’t hesitate, therefore, to say “yes” to God who calls you. 4. I also welcome the delegates of the other Churches and ecclesial Communities who are present here. It is ever more clearly being felt that reconciliation between Christians is decisive for the credibility of the preaching of the Gospel and for the construction of Europe. The Charta oecumenica for Europe, signed in Strasbourg in April 2001, from this point of view marks a significant step in increasing collaboration between Christian Churches and Communities. I pray to God that we may proceed along this path with ever growing faith and determination. I also extend my good wishes to the representatives of the episcopal organizations of Africa, Asia and America, who are participating in the Symposium. Thanks to your presence, dear Brothers and Sisters, the ecclesial perspective is widened and Europe gains a deeper awareness of its own responsibility towards other countries and populations to build the universal solidarity we yearn for. I wish that each of you may contribute to the Symposium’s success. 5. Dear Brothers and Sisters, during these days and in each moment of your existence may the Lord, with the power of the Holy Spirit, fill you with his gifts of love, joy and peace. May you be accompanied by Mary, the Mother of the Church, and may you be protected by the evangelist St. Mark, whose feast-day we are celebrating today. With my assurance that I will remember you in prayer, I bless you and the ecclesial communities to which you belong with all my heart. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 29 N.ro relativo : 17 Data pubblicazione : 03/05/02
