The letter of the European Churches to the Pope” “” “
“John Paul II: Europe still counts on you. The gratitude of European Bishops” is the letter of the European bishops (Ccee) to the Pope, John Paul II, signed by the president mgr. Amédée Grab. This is the complete text. Most Holy Father, Once again we turn to you, our father. You left this earth in Easter time to join the Risen Christ, the Redeemer of every person, whom you have loved to much, whom you have showed to the world from the very first day of your pontificate and whom you have followed through the days of the passion. You have now passed through the risen one into the father’s bosom, in the communion of the Holy Spirit. We can only imagine your joy at meeting Mary to whom you devoted yourself as Totus tuus; Peter whose successor you have called to be, the apostles, and all the saints, especially those you canonized. You have met your family, and so many friends. We are writing to say thank you once more from Europe and her bishops for the gift God gave us through you. You have been “the prophet of a new Europe” and you have never hidden your “passionate concern” for our continent. You have spoken about Europe about a thousand times. You have looked upon Europe with the eyes of faith and wisdom: you have always grasped how dramatic its history has been, but at the same time you have shown us how God is present and active here. History will give ever clearer confirmation of your contribution to the collapse of the Berlin wall and to the recovery of a continent breathing with “two lungs” as you have often said. You have followed every step the European Union has taken. You were concerned there should be strong foundation, not least the dignity of the human person. You have been alert to the risk that Europe might became a closed fortress, concerned only with its own welfare, rather than a continent whose stability allows it to improve mutual links with other regions of the world and to do more for justice and peace in the world and universal brotherhood. We know you suffered because there was no agreement on mentioning Christianity in the European Constitution: without the Gospel, Europe has no future, and her citizens will never discover, the truth, beauty, and love they desire. We shall never forget your cry from the heart in Santiago: “ Europe, open up your doors to Christ (…) Go back to yourself. Be yourself. Rediscover your origins. Revive your roots. (…) Recover your soul.” and what you have written in Ecclesia in Europa: “ the Church has to offer Europe the most precious of all gifts, a gift which no one else can give: faith in Jesus Christ, the source of the hope that does not disappoint“. Your fatherly heart has suffered because Christians are still divided. You have often addressed us in powerful words: “ In a Europe which is on the path to political unity, can we ever accept that the very Church of Christ is a factor of disunion and discord? Wouldn’t this be one of the greatest scandals of our times?“. We still have a vivid memory of what you said in Bucharest on 8th may 1999, during the first visit made by a pope to a country with an Orthodox majority, when you met the patriarch Teoctist: “ What can drive today’s men and women to believe in Christ, if we keep on tearing up the seamless Tunic of the Church? (…) Who will forgive us this lack of witness? I have been striving for unity with all my strength and I shall keep on doing all I can until the end so it may be at the forefront among the main concerns of the Churches and of those who govern them through the apostolic Ministry.” We know it was a great disappointment for you that you were unable to visit Russia, a land so close to your heart. Most holy Father, thank you, on behalf of everyone in Europe, because you have defended the dignity of the human person, because you have shown us life’s meaning, because you believe in peace, because you more than anyone else have loved Christ, because you strengthened your brothers and sisters in the faith, because you have been solid support for the Church and for humanity, because you have lived as “the first servant of unity”. We thank you on behalf of all Europe’s bishops and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, whose activity you followed closely as long ago as the time you were Archbishop of Krakow and then as Pope. You wanted the Council to be reformed and developed, and gave it a new and significant authority. Dearest Father, we need you now more than ever so that Europe and her Church can respond to the call written for them in heaven. We know that, in you, we have a special protector. We promise we shall never abandon the special heritage you have left us. Give us your blessing once again, this time from Paradise”.
