Invisible poverty

"We are Christians at a time when the Spirit of the Gospel must be able to express itself in a Christian understanding of the human person in the discernment of problems and in Europe’s quest for solutions at economic, social and notably economic level", said José da Cruz Policarpo, Patriach of Lisbon, in his welcoming address to the representatives of European Bishops’ Conference and Patriarchates of Orthodox Churches gathered until June 9 for the Third European Catholic-Orthodox forum titled "The economic crisis and poverty": challenges for Europe today". Maria Chiara Biagioni interviewed for SIR Europe Patriarch José da Cruz Policarpo in Lisbon.What is your opinion of the crisis that is affecting Europe?"The poor are those who pay the highest toll. The main problem is unemployment. In Portugal unemployment has reached unprecedented levels. Until last year it amounted to 10% of the overall population, now it’s over 16%. This is the main problem: companies are unable to receive funding from the banks and are afraid of investing in middle and long-term projects. There is no faith in the future. What most concerns me is that in this crisis we lost the sense of the common good. Politics are motivated merely by ideological standing while the proposed solutions end up making things worse than they are. The main problem from the social angle is unemployment, which severely affects families where both parents have lost their jobs". But solutions are being sought at EU level. How come there is no coming out of the tunnel? "A liberal option to restrict and adjust lingers on. It was deemed necessary to compensate development with austerity. Now there is some talk of the need to promote growth. In a recent meeting of Catholic entrepreneurs, the Portuguese Prime Minister said it’s necessary to promote confidence in development. But it’s still a very timid approach".What is the role of the churches?"Up to now and as a Church we focused our care and our closeness to persons. Now a new phenomenon is taking shape. The new poverty, not yet clearly visible, has hit families that until a few months earlier enjoyed dignified living standards and now they are facing growing difficulties, including job loss. We are helping thousands of people who are experiencing similar situations at national level, through Church structures".And in addition to the concrete support to people in difficult situations? "What the Churches can do is to help provide a Christian interpretation of ongoing difficulties, problems and solutions, as ideological solutions are no longer valid. Concrete answers are needed. I think ours should be a message of confidence. We can’t let go to the idea that we are experiencing a time of collective adversity, although these are hard times, we must have faith. But in order to do so political ideologies should withdraw. For me the main problem is cultural and if it’s cultural I believe it should spur reflection on the part of those who are tasked with guiding the population’s cultural development. Ideas of community and common good aren’t to be found in political discourse, in political practice or in the quest for solutions".What do you mean?"We have to face reality. Differences are necessary in a democracy yet everyone must contribute to the quest of solutions for the common good of the Country". What is the sign of the meeting between Catholics and Orthodox here in Lisbon? "Interpreting the situation from a Christian perspective should be done together. Forums such as this aren’t meant to address doctrinal issues regarding the relations between the Churches, but as European Churches we have a message to pass on. Together we can develop a Christian response to European society". What does this "Christian interpretation" consist in? "In the truth and the dignity of the human person, generosity in the quest for solutions, overcoming egoism at individual and community levels. A Christian culture needs to be conveyed in Europe today. It’s that very culture that permeated it since its origins. There is a vision of man and society that has been neglected by those ideologies that have taken over in recent years. It’s time for Christians to acknowledge this vision and put it into practice".