ASSOCIATIONS
“Where is Europe going? Christians, value and hope for the future” is the title of the 4th continental meeting of the IFCA (International Forum of Catholic Action) for Mediterranean Europe due to be held in Madrid on 1-4 March. Focal point of the meeting, explain its promoters, will be reflection on “a Europe of the spirit” that may be a “true common home where people can live in joy”, according to the hope expressed by John Paul II in his post-synodal exhortation Ecclesia in Europa. The meeting, continue the organizers, “is being held in the context of the process leading to the seminar promoted by COMECE in Rome in March to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and to the Third European Ecumenical Assembly promoted by the CCEE and the CEC at Sibiu (4-9 September 2007)”, and in the aftermath “of the enlargement of the European Union to 27”. A document issued to explain the purpose of the Madrid meeting says an essential premise for “evangelisation in Europe” is to “underline that Christian values are an integral and constituent part of European culture”; that means “living in a context of listening, dialogue and collaboration between East and West and with the Mediterranean”. “European citizens, and first and foremost Christians, must be made conscious of the tradition and actuality of a Europe that is also open to, and shows solidarity with, the world, Africa in particular”. To this end IDCA intends to encourage a common commitment of the national and diocesan associations. The objectives are as follows: “to gather and circulate existing experiences; reflect on the formation of conscience and on the witness of Christian laity in Europe; promote the participation of youth, future of the continent; and emphasise, in the light of experience, the value of associations for the life of the Church and of society”. Luigi Alici, national President of Italian Catholic Action will coordinate the work for the approval of the final document. (Info: www.fiacifca.org)
