After 60 years

Robert Schuman (1886-1963) was born in Luxembourg from parents of Lorrain background. He graduated in Germany and moved to France. A Catholic resistant to Nazism, he was a protagonist of French rebirth and the negotiator for the establishment of European institutions. He’s considered among the "noble forefathers" of Community institutions. In these days a number of initiatives across the continent reaffirm his political action aimed at the pacification between the States and the creation of the "Common Home". Within institutional seats. "Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the Schuman Declaration and bringing Europe closer to the citizens". This is the twofold intent indicated by European institutions for the events scheduled in Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg and across cities of EU-27 that commemorate the anniversary of the commencement of European integration, May 9 1950. With a political declaration released by the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman the ECSC Community was founded a year later (European Coal and Steel Community, 1951) followed by the EEC (European Economic Community, 1957) and the current EU (European Union, 1992). An open-door Day will take place in Brussels May 8 in the premises of EU institutions. The event will be repeated May 9 in Strasburg. Meetings are scheduled with the heads of institutions along with debates, sport tournaments, movies, meeting sessions for the youth and animation. A scientific colloquium promoted by the Court of Justice on the figure of Schuman, and on his vision of Europe, will be held in Luxembourg May 6-7. On the 8th of May 800 young European citizens will take part in a meeting at the European Parliament on the future of the EU attended by president Jerzy Buzek.Metz, Verdun, Scy-Chazelles. Along with the initiatives planned by EU institutions other institutions, associations and local authorities have planned similar initiatives across Europe to commemorate the Schuman Declaration. Of special relevance are those involving the cities of Metz e Verdun, where Robert Schuman lived, and where stands the house – now turned into a museum symbolizing integration – where he spent the last years of his life. The dioceses of Metz and Verdun co-sponsor with the Institut Saint-Benoit (which follows the Schuman’s beatification cause), with COMECE (the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community) and with other bodies, a three-day Symposium (May 7-9) for Spiritual and Cultural Reflection (liturgical celebration, historical retrospectives, concerts and debates), within the cathedrals of the two French cities. On May 9-11 the Conseil Générale de la Moselle co-organized – with the Maison de Robert Schuman – workshops to be held in Scy-Chazelles and Metz, which will be opened by a panel lecture ( (Herman van Rompuy, Jacques Delors, Vaira Freiberga, Etienne Davignon) followed by four study sessions (on the birth of the Community, 6-State Europe, Building Europe in a Moment of Crisis, Recovery, Enlargement and end of the "Cold War"). Detailed news and programs can be found by logging on www.europa.eu, www.9mai2010.eu e www.cg57.fr.The spiritual dimension. The more strictly cultural and religious celebrations are presented by the promoting Committee: "In conjunction with the religious bodies which accompany the construction process of a Europe in search of unity, and with the different areas that contribute to the network of congregations and religious communities in Europe, the dioceses wish to jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration with a significant European demonstration". After having recalled the tragic wars between the States which have marked the Continent’s historical past, the Committee states: "These nations have chosen to follow a new path, the path of peace and friendship, of concord and reconciliation, of development and solidarity. However it is a narrow and steep path, disseminated with pitfalls… Perseverance, tenacity, hope and fidelity are needed. Everyone must contribute and place a small stone in the large – albeit precarious – building, that is growing greater under our very own eyes". The two French dioceses, le by Msgr. François Maupu (Verdun), and by Msgr. Pierre Raffin (Metz), underline once more that European integration "can’t be only economic, juridical, administrative, political and financial, as is often the case". "It must also be cultural, artistic, associative, spiritual and religious", from which derives the commitment to shed light over these last two dimensions of the European building in particular.