Europe beyond Europe

On May 15 of 110 years ago Pope Leo XIII published the encyclical “Rerum Novarum”. This Church Magisterium document marks an epochal change in Church teaching. In fact is represents the founding document of the social doctrine of the Church. Clearly, even the earlier situation of labourers, the increasing poverty amidst young workers -the first victims of the industrial revolution – hadn’t escaped the Church’s attention.The reflection was thus launched in 1887 by the International Catholic Studies Committee, the so-called Freiburg Union, tasked with a dedicated program calling for the “need for a minimum wage that would provide for the sustenance of the worker and of his family”, which preceded the Pope’s solemn remarks. Indeed, long since, Christian faithful were committed in providing support to the forlorn. The noteworthy motivation and commitment of Saint John Bosco (1815 – 1888), of Blessed Antoine Chevrier (1826 – 1879) and of Blessed Adolph Kolping (1813 – 1865) are but a few examples. In the Ruhr region, in Lyon and in Turin, the Catholic priests provided material support, formation, along with moral and spiritual education to young apprentices and to their abandoned companions. Their works, that were passed down until today, have greatly contributed to the Church’s credibility in the 19th century, although the contribution of the Papal document was decisive. His word had a crucial impact on the major question of the time. And although the labour question is far from having been solved (last week the OECD – Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development- announced a new disproportionate rise in revenue taxes across Western countries, aimed at addressing the financial crisis) our European social model was eventually implemented largely owing to the Church’s support. And what about today? Which are the “Res novae”? Which is the big question of our era? Or is the 19th century “labour question” today’s global issue? Before the globalization phenomenon and given the inadequacy of international organizations such as the ‘United Nations” our era is called to address the question if States should continue swimming against the tide and “act independently” or rather if it is necessary to pursue – and extend at global level – a political integration progress launched in Europe in the framework of global financial interdependence… It’s the question of the day, that also involves Christian faithful. In Europe, there is an ongoing debate between those who intend to relinquish monetary union solidarity and resume free circulation and those who uphold the need for a stronger Europe. The latter include Commissioner Michel Barnier. His speech for the Festival of Europe on May 9 at Humboldt University in Berlin marks a significant moment. The Commissioner of French background spoke clear words: “We need nations to combat nationalism. And, at the same time, we need Europe to take control of globalisation and make it more human, in a word, to make it succeed”. He went on: “One day a future president of the European Union, whoever he or she will be, should both preside over the European Council and chair the European Commission. The individual who would become president of the European Union on a proposal from the heads of state and government could have their power vested in them by a Congress comprising both the European Parliament and representatives of the national Parliaments. Further in the future, they could obtain a direct mandate from the peoples of Europe. In this new dynamic, the European Parliament, directly elected by these peoples, would see a boost to its legitimacy”.Indeed, the Pope is not expected to outline the path that Europe is called to undertake in order to address global questions, but we can hope and pray that the course traced by the encyclical “Caritas in veritate” will gain momentum.