I. The cultural and spiritual identity of the “old continent”

1. Christians look at Europe’s future with hope because of their faith in Jesus Christ, the only true source of peace.

“World peace cannot be safeguarded without creative efforts which match the perils which threaten it. The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable for the maintenance of peaceful relations”. The words pronounced by Robert Schuman in the famous Declaration of the 9 May 1950, which within a year brought about the launching of the European Coal and Steel Community and later on the setting up of the European Economic Community (1957), are still very relevant today. Half a century has passed; we have seen the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the “cold war” and the completion of the process of decolonization. The words of the then French Foreign Minister still call on Europe to stick to its primary and true vocation: “to be an agent of peace”, within its frontiers and on the world’s chess-board.

2. The current period in historic is different from that which followed the Second World War. Yet, everyday we come across new threats to peace and to the possibility of nations being able to live together. It is enough to think of the current conflicts, of international terrorism, of the political instability in different parts of the world, of hunger, disease, ignorance and of the great socio-economic differences which prevail in so many parts of the world.
The concept of “unity in diversity” and of a Europe which strives for peace has not been clearly understood. Even today, the European Union Institutions come across many obstacles to function efficiently. The second time “no” to the Constitution by the French and Dutch electorate has raised an alarm. It indicates that the EU is still very far from its citizens and from their real aspirations. Today’s Europe seems to be lacking a “vision” and runs the risk of distancing itself from the vision of solidarity envisaged by its “founding fathers”. Europe is at the mercy of a reinforced spirit of nationalism from within and is affected by the great challenges imposed on it by the economic, demographic, political and military globalization process from outside.
This communitarian Europe needs a new impetus which should stem from individual efforts. Individuals need to know themselves and to see their own identity in relation to that of others so as to build an authentic community.
It is not arbitrary that the Church has, on repeated occasions, reaffirmed its trust in the process of political integration, at the same time, pointing out the difficulties and limitations of this process.

3. The words of the late Pope John Paul II, addressed to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, on the 10th January 2005, are an example. “Certainly, an outstanding example of the possibility of peace can be seen in Europe: nations which were once fierce enemies locked in deadly wars are now members of the European Union, which, during the past year aimed at further consolidation through the constitutional Treaty of Rome, while at the same time showing an openness to admitting other States willing to accept the requisites for membership”. This is a peace which, if one reads between the lines, requires the building of a mature democracy (a reference to the Constitution) and of a “common house” open to new members who share the great values and the same communitarian goals.
Numerous interventions (documents, speeches, exhortations, homilies …) by John Paul II develop the “Europeistic” concept which could already be found in the teachings of Paul VI. The Polish Pope called two synods of European Bishops, one just after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the other on the eve of the new millennium. He was interested in bringing down the “walls” which divided Europe so that East and West, “the two lungs- according to his famous expression- without which Europe cannot even breath”, may be united.
Wojtyla travelled far and wide within this continent. During his many journeys, he advocated understanding, dialogue and reciprocal pardon as well as the protection of life, the defence of human rights and of fundamental freedom. He encouraged intercultural and interreligious dialogue. He also identified some “patrons”, like Benedict, Cyril and Metodius, St. Catherine of Siena, Edith Stein and Bridget of Sweden. All of these shared a common spiritual and cultural identity which was rooted in past centuries and was the foundation of the Europe of the future. It is the concept of a Europe united within itself and open to the world, committed to work for peace and in full solidarity with the poorest countries in the world.

II. Christians as protagonists. The teachings of the Church

4. Within this framework, one can understand the sad and repeated appeals for the mention of the Continent’s “christian roots” in the EU Constitution’s preamble. “Europe, at the beginning of the third millennium, “Open the doors to Christ! Be yourself. Rediscover your origins. Relive your roots”. “Down the centuries”, John Paul II writes in Ecclesia in Europa n.120, “You have received the gift of Christian faith. It has founded your life as a society on principles drawn from the Gospel. Traces of these may be found in the art, literature, thought and culture of your nations. But this heritage does not belong just to the past; it is a project in the making, to be passed on to future generations”.
We too would like to put forward our request once more to have this Christian heritage recognised. Together with other traditions, this heritage has moulded the spiritual, social, cultural and religious face of Europe. Besides the recognition of Europe’s Christian heritage, we would also like to have our religious values and symbols respected and our freedom to worship and to give witness of our faith in public guaranteed.
Christians are called upon to be active agents in this project which aims at rebuilding Europe spiritually, culturally, politically and socially. It calls for “the engagement of believing communities to commit themselves to work for the humanization of society by putting the Gospel in practice and presenting it as a sign of hope”. “Properly trained and competent Christians are needed in the various European agencies and institutions, so that, while respecting the correct dynamics of democracy and with their proposals, they may be able to contribute towards the building of a European social order which respects every man and woman, and which aims at the common good” (Ecclesia in Europa, n. 117).

5. Benedict XVI’s frequent reminders aim in the same direction. He has already spoken about Europe in quite a number of his interventions. Even European ecclesial organisms, in primis CCEE (European Episcopal Conference Council) as well as the COMECE (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community) have spoken about this.
Benedict XVI affirmed this when he said “Neither a more or less effective economic union nor a bureaucratic body of norms that regulate coexistence can ever fully satisfy people’s expectations for Europe. Rather, the tap-roots of a solid European “reciprocity”, exempt from crises, are embedded in the convictions and common values of the Continent’s Christian history and humanist historical tradition.
Without authentic common community values it is impossible to build any reliable community of rights, which instead is what people expect. (Address to the Ambassador of Austria to the Holy See, 18 September 2006)
A document which deserves special mention when we speak about Christians as builders of tomorrow’s Europe is the COMECE document entitled “The future of the European Union and Catholics’ responsibility”. On the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, in order to show that they are conscious of the fact that “the European Union needs to be built on firm community of values” (Common values – the living source of the European project, 1), the COMECE Bishops are organizing a Congress with the theme, “Values and perspectives for Europe’s future” ( Rome, 23-25 March 2007). Other Catholic Movements and Associations, including our representatives, will attend this meeting. We are all asked to accompany the participants with our prayers.
Another appeal has been launched by the “Christians Initiatives for Europe” Group. This says: “We affirm that European construction remains founded on a broader project which creates meaning and which is always of the same topic: reconciliation between people to build a space of peace, justice, prosperity and solidarity, a space open and in the service of the world.” (Let us rediscover the meaning of the European project).

III. New evangelization: areas of involvement

6. If these are the situations (not only in the European Union but in the whole of Europe) then Christians should try to be true and effective witnesses. With renewed and courageous commitment they are expected to involve themselves in the “new evangelization” process. Besides using modern means to re-announce the Gospel, in certain cases, they have to announce the Gospel to those who never had the Gospel announced to them. In a spirit of reconciliation and dialogue, they should be Christian witnesses to men of good will.

In view of this, on the occasion of the IV IFCA European Mediterranean Meeting, we have identified some specific areas wherein we can involve ourselves:

a) commitment in cultural spheres. Today more than ever we need to have “a faith which is friendly towards intelligence” (Benedict XVI) and which can dialogue with culture and cultures, through free and calm discussions, and which can be an “authentic contamination” among traditions, customs, knowledge and languages. As Christians, we should go on proposing that undeniable patrimony of the European tradition, which promotes a pro-life culture, renounces racism and all forms of slavery, is against the abuse of minors, of the elderly and of illegal immigrants. We should also promote a culture of the family founded on matrimony as “the sanctuary of life”. John Paul II appealed to Christian families in Europe saying: “Families, be what you are”. In collaboration with other realities and humanitarian associations, we also commit ourselves to promote a culture of solidarity aimed at supporting the poor, the weak, the sick, the disabled and the suffering. Thus, the Christian faith can continue to be “salt and leaven” in everyday life. This will help Europe understand that our Christian heritage is inscribed in its originating “DNA” and is a fundamental part of its present identity.

b) Commitment in formative spheres. This is a must if we want to make citizens aware of the need for a Europe which is politically, socially and culturally united and which is inspired by common values which are based on the fundamental principles of human dignity and the common good and which is ready to undertake projects which aspire high. New ways can only be opened if Europe succeeds to be a workshop of active citizenship and if it has convinced people who can work towards human dignity, freedom, solidarity, democracy and equality among its people. Europe has to find new ways as to how it can face the pressing demographic problems among which are the progressive aging of its population and immigration. Other challenges include: the promotion of freedom and social justice; bridging the gap between North and South, East and West of the planet; sustaining dialogue between civilizations and between the great religions and helping concretely poor Countries to develop.

c) Commitment in ecumenical and interreligious spheres. “The most important task of the Churches in Europe is the common proclamation of the Gospel, in both word and deed, for the salvation of all” (Charta Oecumenica, 2).Christians should look forward towards the experience of the ecumenical assembly which is meeting in Sibiu, 4-7 September 2007. They should open their hearts up to the rich experiences which always result from ecumenical and interreligious dialogues; dialogues which give all the children of Abraham the opportunity to meet. This aspect has lately assumed a special importance with the entry within the EU of Rumania and Bulgaria, two countries with an orthodox majority. Divisions among Christians seem even more heart-breaking at a time, when, even if amidst thousands of difficulties, Europe is working for unity in economic and political spheres. Thus, in this globalized era, when peoples and civilizations are facing constant confrontation, religions should make people understand that it is possible to proceed through life together, respecting each other, listening to one another and showing compassion for one another. It is this, which will eventually, bring about understanding and hope for the future. We should be continually discerning and listening to the Word of God: “Church in Europe, enter the new millennium with the Book of the Gospel!…May the Holy Bible continue to be a treasure for the Church and for every Christian: in the attentive study of the Word, we find nutrition and strength to carry out our mission day by day” (Ecclesia in Europa, 65).

All Catholic Action Associations, reunited in IFCA, thank the Lord for the gift of this meeting and for having, once again, deigned to work His wonders amongst them. They commit themselves to put these proposals into practice in their respective situations.

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IV European-Mediterranean Continental Meeting
WHERE IS EUROPE GOING? Christians – the Wealth and Hope of the future •Madrid, 1-4 March 2007