Europe, be confident

“Building Europe is truly an enterprise worth the effort. Everyone can find their own place, everyone is welcome. More than ever the road opens before us. It is not a time to slow down or to sit on the sidelines”. The Presidents of 36 European Bishops’ Conferences adopted the final statement of the Assembly that ended on October 4 in Paris with a Eucharistic celebration in Notre Dame Cathedral. The bishops convened in the French capital to attend the annual CCEE meeting (Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences). Cardinals and bishops addressed the theme of State-Church relations in Europe. To the light of the changes brought about by the fall of the Berlin Wall participants adopted a message stating, “Our faith calls us turn our attention to the European society in which we live, and to gaze on it with hope”. Follow ample extracts of the message titled, “Europe be confident. Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Rediscover a new impetus, there is hope to proclaim”.A great stepping stone. “Twenty years ago, we witnessed a great moment: the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was a turning point that did not simply come out of the blue. It came as a result of determined and bold men who did not lack their own freedom”, wrote the Presidents of European Bishops’ Conferences. The bishops cherish the memory of “the many sacrifices of those who risked their lives and who fought for that same freedom”; “Solidarnosc” and “the many battles fought for solidarity and respect for human dignity” in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe along with “the fundamental role of Pope John Paul II and his forward-looking vision of a Europe based on the foundations of faith, the common good and peace”. “Many have seen in the fall of the Berlin Wall the collapse of other walls: those of hatred, fear, lies and of pitiless ideology”, is stated in the message.This “new liberty” “has been a time of grace for the Churches”, that “have found anew a freedom of action, of organisation and of evangelization”. The bishops acknowledge, “Even though this process has not been completed fully in all countries, nor have the conflicts linked to the past really gone away”, they point out “how far we have come in twenty years”, “a great stepping stone in the European adventure”. The document refers to the occasions for encounter of “European citizens” along with “the wave of migration between European countries”, which “has undoubtedly contributed to the promotion of well-being, while at the same time it has brought about new difficulties, dividing families or forcing them to be uprooted from their normal daily life”.Current difficulties. “Twenty years later”, the bishops continue, “we now see that the incredible European project, with a strong ethical basis, has greatly weakened. The very poor turnout in the latest European Parliamentary elections was a tell-tale sign. The hopes placed on building Europe have not so far been fulfilled”. The influence of several “factors” is acknowledged. These include, “a growth in consumption”. However, CCEE bishops declare, “the mere constant acquisition of goods”, “will never fill peoples’ hearts”. Secondly, present society, that “wishes to give to the individual every possible opportunity to exercise individual choice and to seek personal fulfilment”, risks “locking the individual into the defence of self-interest or acquired benefits”. To this regard, “A society in which each individual, each group, each nation defends only their own vested interests cannot but be the jungle”. Thirdly, the document expresses concern over ethical relativism, due to “a number of legislative developments in our countries and in the European institutions” that “go against authentic good”.Hope. “The crisis sweeping Europe today is serious”, the prelates wrote. “Low birth rates and the future of its demography do not lead to optimism. However, we do not intend to be prophets of doom. Things are not necessarily doomed to get worse! Our faith calls us to turn our attention to the European society in which we live, and to gaze on it with hope”. “We recognize that many of our contemporaries aspire to a life that can be a source of inner peace, joy and trust. Many young people are ready to commit themselves to greater fellowship and solidarity in the world. To promote the common good and respect for the environment, men and women are prepared to make sacrifices to be shared by others. The defence of life, from conception to natural death, is not a lost cause”. This is said “not by virtue of human optimism”, the bishops wrote in the message, “but because we uphold a vision of humanity” that “comes from the Gospel” that is at the disposal, “today as it has always been, for the building-up of Europe”.