"Even without going into the political sphere, the Church can give a soul to this Europe. There can be no Europe without a soul, because it would not even exist there had not been Christianity". This was stated yesterday to SIR by cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, during the consecration of the co-cathedral of Sofia. "The Church is extremely important for Europe, because it can bring huge values he said. Just think of the dignity of every man, both rich and poor, which is reflected in Jesus’ face. The Church defends the value of life, from conception to death: this is a huge vision in a Europe which sometimes seems to give priority just to those who are well off, forgetting those who are sick or the value of the family. It is important that we go back to the human and Christian concept of the family that has formed our nations. The concepts of international solidarity must not be neglected either. I am sure Bulgaria too will give its contribution to a new Europe". In the sermon at Mass, cardinal Sodano sent a friendly greeting to the patriarch Maksim and mentioned John Paul II’s journey to Bulgaria. Then, he exhorted Bulgarians “to reflect the rays of Christian faith on your society and to prove to Europe that you are a population of Christians”. ” ” ” “
