A new humanism

The European meeting of university teachers on “A new humanism for Europe. The role of the universities” will be held in Rome from 21 to 24 June. Organized by the CCEE (Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe) in collaboration with European institutions and the Italian government, it marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and will open with the inaugural ceremony on 21 June (in the main hall of the Pontifical Lateran University at 3.30 pm), in the presence of Cardinal Camillo Ruini and Cardinal Peter Erdo, President of the CCEE, and of 1,500 European professors and lecturers. On the following day, 22 June (at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” at 3.30 pm), a meeting of rectors of European Universities is planned, in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano. On 23 June, Mass will be celebrated by the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in St. Peter’s Basilica at 9.15 am. At the end of the rite the delegates will be received in audience by Benedict XVI. So far 1,450 university teachers have enrolled in the conference: 47 round tables and seminars will be held simultaneously in Roman state, private and pontifical universities). There will be 493 speakers from 45 European countries (including Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan). There are some 700 universities in Europe, and 70 Catholic universities.“RESTORING ENERGY” TO EUROPE. The European universities can help to “restore energy” to a Europe that “is now going through a phase of ‘fatigue’ in which their original impetus seems to have been exhausted, while the enlargement of the European Union makes the problem of co-existence ever more complex and has led to the weakening of the initial impetus of the European project”. That’s the analysis of GIUSEPPE DALLA TORRE , Rector of LUMSA (Free University of Maria Santissima Assunta in Rome), in presenting the European meeting of university teachers to journalists on 12 June. “In our globalized system – pointed out FABIO PISTELLA , chairman of the National Research Council (CNR – Italy) – in which strong, radical and conflictual positions are often opposed, Europe is a continent of dialogue, harmony, and the construction of solutions more than of the accentuation of difficulties”. At the same time, however, our continent “is also the seat of endemic conflicts”. There is a need, therefore, according to Pistella, to “resolve the antitheses between the need for decision and the need for participation in politics; between research and synthesis in knowledge; and between solidarity and merit in social relations”. CESARE MIRABELLI , president emeritus of the Italian Constitutional Court and chairman of the Committee of the university teachers of Rome, emphasized the need for European universities to be “centres for the search of the truth, dialogue, meeting, discussion and analysis in trying to develop a culture that would make everyone responsible and participants”. “It’s the first time that the Head of State will meet all Italian university rectors – together with their European colleagues”, said RENATO GUARINI , Rector of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. He also emphasized the importance of the meeting between non-confessional and Catholic universities”. A round table is planned to follow the introductory reports on 22 June, with the participation of the ten oldest universities in Europe, including Bologna, Paris and Moscow. ST. BENEDICT AND THE “NEW HUMANISM”. The “key question” of European culture is the question of man, writes Monsignor LORENZO LEUZZI , head of the Office for University Pastoral Care of the diocese of Rome and CCEE delegate for this European meeting, in the book “Europe and the new humanism”, a synthesis of “approaches to research” in previous European events. The third part of the book, in particular, is dedicated to the “contribution of Christians in this historical phase of the European continent”, which – says Leuzzi – is now called to “formulate a new humanism in Europe and for Europe”. “This is a project of historic magnitude” which needs to be conducted “without nostalgia for the past, and without being swept off one’s feet by the utopia of irrationality”. An exhibition on “St. Benedict Patron of Europe” is being mounted in the Sala della Conciliazione in the Apostolic Lateran Palace (21-24 June, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm) to coincide with the meeting”. It consists of three painting datable to the seventeenth century that “furnish an extraordinary occasion to reflect on the founding father of Western monasticism”, explained BRUNO DE SANTIS , director general of the Ministry for Cultural Properties and Activities. Two paintings come from the Convent of Sant’Ambrogio alla Massima in Rome, the Death of St. Benedict by Baccio Ciarpi (1574-1654) and St. Benedict and two angels , attributed to Alessandro Tiarini (1577-1668), while the third forms part of the collection of the Gallery of the Accademia di San Luca in Rome, the St. Benedict amid the Brambles by Benedetto Luti (1666-17124). The three baroque painting could form part of an exhibition on the life and work of the great protector saint of Europe.