Treaties of Rome: Card. Marx, “continue believing in Europe: the common path is the best path”

Why should we continue believing in Europe? Because “the common path is the best path.” Because today united Europe remains “a guarantee of peace” in a world where peace cannot be taken for granted. Because it’s the best place “to face the social and economic challenges of globalization.” And because, as Pope Francis told members of the European Parliament, despite everything, Europe “is a precious point of reference for the whole of humanity.” Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, President of the German Bishops’ Conference and President of COMECE, the Commission of European Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, listed the “reasons” to continue believing in the European Union.

Sixty years ago the founding fathers ushered in a new era by establishing Europe as a “common home.” Today the European Union is about to celebrate its 60^th birthday. How do you see Europe today?

Far too often, throughout the various crises of the past years, it has been said that a crisis is an opportunity. But given Europe’s present situation this seems to be true. The European Union is in a deep crisis because it has reached the limits of what can be achieved today on many different fronts.

Hence it is necessary to choose which direction we intend to take, to reflect on how we relate to the European agreements in line of principle and how we intend to follow them through them in the future.

European States and peoples should be aware that the common path is the best path. It is equally important to ascertain that the States are ready to face the consequences.

The great ideals that had inspired Europe appear to have lost their appeal. They are being replaced by growing populist drives. England opted for a Brexit and people are asking whether they should continue believing in the European project. What is your answer?

Brexit poses an existential question to Europe calling upon everyone to reply: why do we need the political integration of the continent? The agenda of populist forces in Europe is not confined to political-economic issues. In fact it includes foreign policy, security and migration policies, focusing on preclusion and protectionism. They are more inclined to opt for nationalistic choices in all areas. This political approach leads to a dead end, from which Konrad Adenauer, Alcide De Gasperi and the other founding fathers had rescued our continent after the war. In line of principle, the reasons for European integration remain those underlying the Schuman Plan and the Treaty of Rome. For too many years the peaceful foundation of Europe was considered obsolete. But the military escalation in Crimea and in the eastern part of Ukraine has increased the feelings of instability in Eastern Europe.

United Europe remains a guarantee of peace.

The European Union is the best area to face the economic and social challenges of globalization. Sometimes the public opinion points the finger at the social distortions of European policies, which in fact are more the result of globalization. The European Union remains a means enabling European peoples to influence world economic developments and – it is my hope as a man of the Church – it can contribute to their definition according to the spirit of Church social doctrine.

Sixty years ago with the European project the founding fathers attempted to heal the wounds of the war. Today’s Europe is confronted with the “wound” of immigration, but many demand closing the doors that had once been opened. Others claim that Europe is “overloaded”, others still argue that welcoming people is a moral question. What is the right interpretation of this situation?

The dissent of EU Member States on the management of refugees arriving in Europe has brought to the fore deep-rooted divisions in the Continent that extend beyond the political realm and involve the societies of various European countries.

Also the Church has come to acknowledge differing opinions in European countries vis a vis the reception of refugees, which is all the more despicable given the unequivocal position of the Pope.

The decline in the number of refugees resulting from political initiatives has considerably toned down the debate. But feelings of irritation over such deep-rooted dissent remain. Last but not least, the relatively calm moment in time should not lead us to forget that we are bound to address more migration flows in the future, which require long-term political solutions in view of the continuation of political integration. We are obviously aware of our limited possibilities. But helping the weakest brackets should always be our priority. And the Church’s contribution will be increasingly requested in this regard.

 

Over the past sixty years Europe has become the crossroads of many different cultures. Today our cities are multicultural and multi-religious. What is the true soul of Europe?

Naturally Europe has strong Christian roots. But this should not make us forget the fact that our societies today have grown into plural societies. It is important to remember that:

Europe is not enough.

In other words: the Christian faith is part and parcel of Europe’s soul. In a time of crisis Europe cannot be closed in on herself. Given her cultures, her philosophical and religious traditions, Europe must give a specific contribution to the world. Thus Europe should increase her political capacities in order to give a positive contribution to the world’s development as a whole, which reflects full adherence to the Christian roots of Europe.

Europe is often accused of being tired, old, of being incapable of rekindling hopes and overcoming crises. What is Europe missing? Whence should a new beginning start?

Despite the many crises, European peoples should fully acknowledge the true state of Europe. As Donald Tusk has recently reminded us: “Europe is the best place in the world.” Many Europeans have forgotten that Europe is a place many world peoples long for, owing to her economic situation, her freedom and the respect for human rights. In his speech to the European Parliament in November 2014, Pope Francis described Europe as “a precious point of reference for all humanity” and called upon Europe to acknowledge and live out her mission. That is to say: we ought to seek what unites us and serve the cause of peace contributing to positive development. The Church has supported this objective since the beginning. And it involves the Church still today.