Never again in the abyss” “

On Monday 9 May 50 world leaders commemorated the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War at a ceremony in Moscow’s Red Square. The day of celebration was marked by a military parade, the placing of a wreath on the monument to the Unknown Soldier and a gala dinner. It also served for meetings between world leaders, such as that of the Quartet (USA, Russia, UNO and Europe) on the Middle East and a bilateral summit between EU and Russia. To mark the event, the European Churches and institutions issued communiqués and promoted commemorative meetings. THE EUROPEAN BISHOPS REMEMBER. “The commemoration of the Day for Europe after the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War encourages us not to forget that the current process of European unification stems from the desire never again to fall into the abyss of war”. So begins the statement that Bishop Amédée Grab of Chur of Chur (Switzerland), president of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE), has issued for Europe Day. “However – continues Msgr. Grab – the absence of armed conflicts does not mean an absence of ‘war’: true peace, justice and social stability are still lacking in many regions of our continent. Recent events in the Balkans show us how fragile peace is. Therefore it is our responsibility to commemorate the wicked and inhuman events which mark each conflict, and in particular to involve the young generations that have not known these horrors”. Msgr. Grab recalls that on the 9 May Europe celebrates the 55th anniversary of Robert Schumann’s Declaration of 9 May 1950, and he observes: “The participating nations committed themselves to respect the objectives of peace, social progress, economic development and solidarity contained in the Declaration. They confirmed the end of a European war which had also been a world war. And so today we too must ensure that European peace becomes world peace. Those who celebrate Europe today must, if they are to be consistent, take on the task of bringing to an end the wars which stain the earth with blood and give rise to despair, environmental disasters, social disintegration, injustice and poverty”. At this time, Bishop Grab continues, “the Churches of Europe are beginning the process of a Third European Ecumenical Assembly on the theme ‘The light of Christ shines upon all. Hope for renewal and unity in Europe’. We are aware that the Gospel and reconciliation between Christians are the most precious gifts which, as Churches, we can offer on the path for peace”. COMMEMORATION OF THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS. “On 8 May sixty years ago some political leader proclaimed that the flag of freedom was flying throughout Europe. However, today it may be said that the end of the war brought peace and freedom only to half of the continent, because the other half remained victim of the new world order that sprang from Yalta”, said Josep Borrell, in a speech that inaugurated the EU commemorations marking the end of the Second World War, held in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 9 May. Borrell, President of the EP, recalled the heavy price claimed by the conflict: “Sixty million dead; the systematic extermination of peoples and minorities; the destruction of cities; 30 million refugees”, culminating in the “nuclear extermination” in the Pacific, where the war continued till the following August. “Today we can, in this Parliament, commemorate together a re-unified Europe. On 1st May we celebrated the first anniversary of the enlargement of EU frontiers to the East. And soon our numbers will increase even more”. Borrell then mentioned the 55th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration (9 May 1950) that began the process of the economic and political unification of Europe, and recalled the importance of the “collective memory” to be transmitted to the young generations as antidote to new wars. He also urged the need “to continue in future to fight for the values of peace, justice and tolerance, not only in Europe but also throughout the world”. On Wednesday 11 May there will be a debate in the EP on “The future of Europe sixty years after the Second World War”, with speeches not only by Borrell and MEPs, but also by the President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso and the President of the EU Council Jean-Claude Junker. The adoption of a common resolution should follow on Thursday.