A memorable page

The imminent entry of the Republic of Slovenia and of other Countries (Malta, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia) in the Schengen area is an extremely important step for all of Europe. I dare say it’s an unprecedented event. We are witnessing a memorable page of our contemporary and European history. This may appear obvious and, to a certain extent, even trite. But at a closer examination it isn’t so obvious since, after the symbolic and concrete fall of the Berlin Wall, we are finally witnessing the fall of those borders too. This marks the end of the infamous iron curtain which separated the Eastern and Western worlds, which separated those peoples with democracies from those ruled by Communist regimes. The free market in not sufficient, this should be strongly stated even today, especially when frontiers are opened to the Slav Peoples who underwent great suffering under Communist rulership. Free circulation of people and the fall of the borders, which in the case of Slovenia and Italy entails the demolition of frontier barracks and passages, equally entails the recovery of ancient routes, roads, and paths which in the course of history were covered by millions of people form different ethnic groups and which were closed after World War II. If it’s true, as historians say, that man doesn’t learn history’s lessons, it should be noted that in the case of Slovenia and Italy we are returning to olden times. This is true in particular as relates to the area that includes all the Republic of Slovenia, the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and a part of Hungary and Austria. This area used to be part of Aquileia’s patriarchate and the Slovenian Cardinal Franc Rodè, who is also the prefect of the Congregation for the Istitutes of Consecrated Life, has pointed out on many occasions, on behalf of the Slovenian people, that he is grateful to the Church of Aquileia since it brought Christian faith to the Slovenians with respect for their language and their personal freedom. Cardinal Rodè reaffirmed that the Church of Aquileia was the one to pass on to the Slovenians – and not only to them – Christian and European civilization. Hence, rediscovering the past and the nobility of the so-called “spirit of Aquileia” could help to better understand Europe’s present situation and the Common European roots which are profoundly Christian roots. Although today it’s very hard to find a European politician who will openly say that he is Christian, Christian roots are the ones which survived until today. In this framework, it shouldn’t be surprising that the bishops of Friuli Venezia Giulia have been the first to welcome Slovenia’s EU entry. It is equally not surprising that the archbishop of Gorizia, Msgr. Dino De Antoni, and his Slovenian colleague from the diocese of Koper-Capodistria, Msgr. Metod Pirih, prayed together in Kostanjevica – Castagnevizza, last Sunday, for all the peoples of the Gorizia region in the Church that unites the twin cities of Gorizia e Nova Gorica.From January, the Republic of Slovenia will chair the EU for six months. It is another significant event which paves the way to new possibilities for European integration. The government of the present Premier, Janez Janša, already declared that it intends to continue the dialogue with the Balkan Countries and help them draw closer to the EU with the important help of Italy. Croatia, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia are States that sooner or later will become part of the European Union. There are difficult issues, such as the one relating to Kosovo, but they need to be overcome, is stated in Lubiana, where they are convinced that integration is the main road to be followed in order to build a future that is closer to the Christian tradition.