II Catholic Social Days for Europe

Greetings of Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco & Cardinal Reinhard Marx

Madrid, Friday 19 September  – “the Church is free to express a value judgement about everything that happens and believes to be good  – not to judge the hearts of people, but to refer to a more profound and realistic vision of the human person, the common good, and social relationships”, said yesterday Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa and CCEE Vice-President, in his welcoming address at the II Catholic Social Days for Europe, taking place in the Spanish capital until Sunday 21. Then looking towards today’s Europe, the CCEE Vice-President, said that “we can see on the one hand a desire and a commitment to peace, respect for human rights, for economic development that also seeks to address the crisis. One can note also unanimous acceptance of democracy, and many values whose roots belong to the Christian culture. However, on the one hand there is the attempt if not to deny, at least to relativize its Christian roots and that integral humanism which is the basis of the various international human rights Charta”.

In short, for Cardinal Bagnasco these days are “a sign of how Christians should feel responsible because Europe does not become solely an economic project without a religious soul, but as it is build a community of life and destiny as it was the desire of the founding fathers.”

From his side, Cardinal Reinhard Mark, President of COMECE recalled on the opening the Catholic Social Days for Europe  the severe economic crisis affecting the peoples of Europe.

“By gathering in Madrid, he said, we not only want to explore ways towards more solidarity in Europe to face this global challenge, but we also wish to encourage the European Union to participate in a civilization of love that leaves nobody aside anywhere on the globe, and involves the future generations. “

Furthermore, in the context of the centenary of the beginning of the First World, which is commemorated this year, the President of COMECE expressed concern about the resurgence of conflicts on the European continent itself (Ukraine) and in its neighborhood (in Syria, Iraq). He also warned against the rise of populism in different European countries: “I am convinced that the “turning in on ourselves” would be a mistake: the resurgence of populism and nationalism would be fatal to our families, our children, our living together. “

Answering a question concerning the current crisis and the kind of voice with which the Church could speak, Cardinal Marx reminded that Europe was above all a peace project. “Before criticizing Europe, we must first say THANK YOU for the peace brought by the project of European integration over the past 60 years. If we compare the situation in Europe in the twentieth century with the Europe in which we live today, the situation is clear. European integration has brought enormous benefits to the peoples of Europe. The economic difficulties we face today should not make us forget the acquired peace. And we must pray for peace.” Recalling the prayer of Cardinal Martini, Cardinal Marx called all Christians “to see it as our duty to encourage and promote understanding between peoples, which provides for all continents justice and bread, liberty and peace.”