“Saying ‘Europe’ must be equivalent to saying ‘openness'”: these words from the Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Europa” (no. 111) sum up the challenge of the European Union at a time when it is about to open its borders to ten new member states. The challenge will also be examined by the European congress being held by COMECE, the Commission of the episcopates of the European Community, at Santiago de Compostela (Spain) on 22/23 April, at the end of its pilgrimage “On the road of hope” (17-21 April) to the tomb of the apostle James. The congress, devoted to “European Union: hope and responsibility theological readings of the future of united Europe”, will be opened on 21 April with welcoming speeches by the archbishop of Santiago, Msgr. Julian Barrio and Msgr. Josef Homeyer, president of COMECE. The following day will be dedicated to two main addresses, “Let’s open our hearts reactions to the COMECE document” by Msgr. Hippolyte Simon, COMECE vice-president, and “Faith and politics in Europe” by Janne Haaland-Matlary of the University of Oslo; in the afternoon work groups will discuss the question “What roles for Christians and the Church in Europe?”. The conclusions of the congress on 23 April will be drawn by Cardinal Antonio Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, Father Notker Wolf Osb, abbot primate of the Benedictine Congregation, and Msgr. Hippolyte Simon.
