Message to Europe

The European Union turned 50 over the weekend, and its leaders have been meeting - under the chairmanship of Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel - to look at how they’re doing and prepare a celebration for themselves. The Economist recently devoted its cover story “Europe’s mid-life crisis” to a whip-cracking estimate of how they’re doing, pointing out economic problems and arguments over the need for a constitution. That never made it out of draft form because of disagreements.

Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have paid a lot of attention to the European Union and this process of identifying who they are, and both popes have reminded them of their Christian roots and heritage, which Europe has virtually rejected as a body. To its own peril, says Benedict.

The Vatican hosted a Congress for the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Community for the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome signing 50 years ago. According to the Vatican Information Service, Benedict reflected on the changes on the continent during those decades, especially the “curtain of injustice” coming down, but said the EU leaders can’t forget the identity of its people while searching for its new institutional profile.

Benedict XVI noted how Europe has sought to conciliate “the economic and social dimensions through policies aimed at producing wealth, … yet without overlooking the legitimate expectations of the poor and marginalized. However, in demographic terms, it must unfortunately be noted that Europe seems set on a path that could lead to its exit from history.”

Benedict does not mince words.

“It could almost be imagined that the European continent is actually losing faith in its own future,” said the Holy Father, and he recalled how in some fields such as “respect for the environment” or “access to energy resources and investments, solidarity finds scant incentives, in both the international and the national fields.”

That’s worth a break-out session, right there. 

Moreover, “the process of European unification is clearly not shared by everyone,” because “various ‘chapters’ of the European project were ‘written’ without taking adequate account of the wishes of citizens.

I wonder if the leaders are paying attention to this…

“What emerges from all this,” he added, “is that it is unthinkable to create an authentic ‘common European home’ while ignoring the identity of the people of our continent. … An identity that is historical, cultural and moral, more even than geographical, economic or political; an identity made up of a collection of universal values which Christianity contributed to creating, thus acquiring a role that is not only historical but foundational for the continent of Europe.”

It can’t be denied….but is anyway. It dismayed John Paul continually that Europe kept refusing to acknowledge its Christian roots. Benedict carries that torch, trying to bring light to the identity crisis they’re either in, or are headed for — and he’s asking European leaders some tough questions.

“If, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the governments of the EU wish to ‘get closer’ to their citizens, how can they exclude such an essential element of European identity as Christianity, in which a vast majority of that people continue to identify themselves? Is it not surprising that modern Europe, while seeking to present itself as a community of values, seems ever more frequently to question the very existence of universal and absolute values? And does this singular form of ‘apostasy’ – from oneself even more than from God – not perhaps induce Europe to doubt its own identity?

It would be fascinating to see some responses to these direct questions. They beg for a response.

That point of how a “community of values” sees itself is acutely critical.

“In this way,” he added, “we end up by spreading the conviction that the ‘balance of interests’ is the only way to moral discernment, and that the common good is a synonym of compromise. In reality, although compromise can be a legitimate balance between varying individual interests,” it is bad “whenever it leads to agreements that harm the nature of man.”

In American politics these days, the word is “consensus”, but it’s doing the same thing.

“For this reason it is becoming ever more indispensable for Europe to avoid the pragmatic approach, so widespread today, that systematically justifies compromise on essential human values, as if the acceptance of a supposedly lesser evil were inevitable. … When such pragmatism involves laical and relativist trends and tendencies, Christians end up being denied the right to participate as Christians in public debate or, at the least, their contribution is disqualified with the accusation of seeking to protect unjustified privileges.”

This address should be published in all European papers.

Benedict XVI went on to affirm that at this moment in history the European Union, “in order to be a valid guarantor of the State of law and an effective promoter of universal values, must clearly recognize the definite existence of a stable and permanent human nature.” This nature is “the source of rights shared by all individuals, including the very people who seek to deny them. In such a context protection must be afforded to conscientious objection” in cases where “fundamental human rights are violated.”

Redefining the “common good” and “human rights” and “nature” has enabled relativists to advance the culture of death John Paul warned of so often. It’s as serious a problem for the U.S. as for Europe, and Benedict’s words resound with clarity in calling it what it is. He’s bold, and asking Christians to step up likewise.

“I know how difficult it is for Christians to defend this truth. … But do not tire and do not be discouraged! You know your task is to contribute to building, with God’s help, a new Europe, realistic but not cynical, rich in ideals and free of naive illusions, inspired by the perennial and life-giving truth of the Gospel.”

America is a far more openly Christian nation, but nobody can be complacent about that. Benedict’s encouragement to the task of defending universal values and human rights is call to do something, right here and now.