In their minds

“We are forgetting human life and its spiritual dimension. The construction of Europe cannot be based exclusively on economic, political and scientific values”. The warning comes from the President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of the European Community (COMECE), Bishop Adrian van Luyn, “We cannot dispense with the rediscovery of human values that must not be subordinated to partisan interests”, added the Bishop of Rotterdam, who cited the ecumenical community of Taizé as an example of the peaceful construction of cultures and confessions. And it was the Taizé Community led by frère Alois that animated a recent meeting in Brussels with the youth who work for and in the European institutions. “Understanding, dialogue and knowledge are the distinctive features of a process of European integration. Taizé has no political project, but offers a contribution to help break down barriers and bring people closer together. It would be wonderful – concluded van Luyn – if we were able to promote similar meetings with other Christian groups, associations and movements”. Our correspondent at the meeting in Brussels met frère Alois and interviewed him. Benedict XVI has long been warning of the dangers of ethical relativism and secularisation that are invading the Western world and Europe in particular. Is there any remedy against this crisis? “We should never forget that Europe was founded on Christian values. There is no medicine that can cure this secularism today. Yet we must hold onto these values because they represent the very identity of the Old Continent. It is impossible to speak of Christianity in Europe unless there is faith in people’s hearts… But something is moving. We see this at Taizé where ever more people, and not just the young, are arriving. With them we seek to go to the root, to the source of faith, to God. The Gospel values are at the basis of the European identity”. But today the most disoriented seem to be the young themselves, who feel an ever-growing sense of unease, also due to the precariousness of work, the breakdown of the family and uncertainties about the future… “The young fail to find a centre point, a founding principle, for their life. The Gospel is the right response. Despite the difficulties they face, the young are a great asset for the future, the greatest resource we possess. Life is not always easy for the young, but they have Europe at heart. They travel, they learn, they share, they forge relationships and this is all to Europe’s good: it combats separation, breaks down the walls of mistrust. This is a Europe that already exists… it must only grow, through the experience of forgiveness and reconciliation”. Faced by the real needs of the young, don’t you risk being ignored when you speak of forgiveness and reconciliation? “Forgiveness and reconciliation are not unfashionable words. Many people today are conscious that Europe cannot be built merely on the basis of economic development, on GDP, on material needs. We must make a renewed effort to give a human sense to Europe and that can only be done through a process of reconciliation, forgiveness and hope. We need to pay greater attention to man’s spiritual needs. It’s not easy to overcome divisions. The last century was a time of wars and violence. What we are calling for requires men and women of courage. Not a multitude, but a leaven. History shows a succession of ever more disastrous events: it is up to us to revive reconciliation and forgiveness. A reconciled Europe transcends all frontiers, breaks down all barriers and is more conducive to the search for the common good”. Europe is enlarging eastwards. John Paul II’s vision of the two lungs of the Old Continent seems to be turning true. How can this breathing with both lungs be developed to the full and give renewed life and confidence to Europe? “Christians must be reconciled and join together in a simple prayer. We must prepare the way for this to happen. At Taizé we try to do so, without having any political programmes of our own. We can contribute to the construction of our Continent by refusing to transmit the afflictions and wounds of the past. In our countries there are many people who have no access to basic needs. The walls of nationalism and religious fundamentalism need to be broken down, in favour of hospitality. Let us transmit hope. Let us choose solidarity”.