"On a European level, we are aware of the cultural night making us feel deeply perplexed. We know that the dawn of a new world breaks from the mark of a Communion-Church". Thus, the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Portugal, Msgr. Jorge Ortiga, addressed the presidents of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), who have been meeting in Fatima since yesterday night, on the occasion of their plenary assembly, which is going on until October 7th. Still referring to Europe, Msgr. Ortiga pointed out that "the only right we claim is the one of serving in the name of God, who became man for letting men be happy. This Christian humanism, which marked the vital nucleus of our cultures, must continue and be the language of acceptance of values which exceed earthly borders but justify the fact that many people’s hopes rested in the European Union. Today, many people start losing their European Union hopes". "Our project pointed out Msgr. Ortiga – will never be political, but we must stay in the city of men spreading justice, equality, brotherhood, forgiveness and peace". Finally, there is a hope coming from the universal vocation of the Old Continent: "The spirit of adventure of the Portuguese who left to all hemispheres may help us to open Europe to the world".
