(Paris) - "The construction of Europe is truly an adventure worth living. Everyone there can find their place, the presence of everyone is waiting. More than ever, the road opens before us. This is no time to slow down or stop the march to the edge of the path. " So write the presidents of 36 European Bishops' Conferences in the final message of the Assembly, which ended in Paris yesterday morning with a Mass at Notre Dame. Gathered in the French capital for the annual meeting sponsored by the CCEE (Council of European Bishops' Conferences) cardinals and bishops have addressed the issue of church-state relationship in Europe. "Twenty years ago - remember - we have witnessed a great moment: the fall of the Berlin Wall. This event, intended to mark the history is not checked as a meteorite fallen from the sky. It has been prepared by men of conviction and courage that have not been pulled back for lack of freedom. " The message is the memory of those who "risked their lives and fought for this freedom:" Solidarnosc "," struggles for greater solidarity and greater respect for human dignity "in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, but also "the leading role of Pope John Paul II and his far-sighted vision of a Europe-based foundations of faith, the common good and peace. " "So many - continue - have glimpsed in the fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of many other walls: those of hatred, fear, lies and ruthless ideology". A "new freedom" which "was an occasion of grace for the Church", which "have found a freedom of action, ed'evangelizzazione organization." The bishops acknowledge that "this process has not yet completed in all countries and conflicts from the past are not yet resolved, however, highlight the" path taken in the last twenty years, " "Great stepping stone for the European adventure." The document cites the occasions of encounter between "citizens" who "re-read their history together," but also "the wave of immigration that has marked some European countries", which "has certainly helped to promote a certain welfare, but has also given rise to new difficulties, separating families and forcing them to uproot themselves from their context of living. " "Twenty years later - keep the representatives of the Episcopal Conferences - note that this extraordinary momentum in Europe, with a strong ethical connotation, it was greatly weakened. The strong abstention rate during the last European parliamentary elections is an important indicator in this regard. The hopes placed in the building of Europe have not really done so far. " Among the "factors" which led in that direction, the first message identifies "an increase in consumption", but "the acquisition of goods are always new," denounced the CCEE, "can never fill the human heart ". Second, the individualism of a society that "wants to give much space as possible to the individual, his choices and the pursuit of his personal development," but runs the risk of locked up solely in the defense of its interests or benefits obtained. " In this respect it notes that "a society in which everyone, every group, every country defends its own interests can not only be a jungle." Third, ethical relativism, about which the document expresses concern "because of numerous bills in our countries or the European institutions, which are contrary to the true good of man and society." After analyzing the difficulties, the hope: "The crisis that Europe is facing today is serious. The decline in the birth rate and the future of its demographics do not push certain optimism. However, we do not want to play the part of the prophets of doom. Is never sure that things get worse! Our faith leads us to have on European society in which we live, a clear and full of hope. " "We see - say cardinals and bishops who attended the meeting of the CCEE - many of our contemporaries in the aspiration for a life that is a source of inner peace, joy and confidence. Many young people are willing to strive for greater solidarity and brotherhood in the world. To promote the common good and respect our environment, many men and women declare their readiness to make sacrifices, provided they are equitably shared. The defense of life from conception to natural death, is not a lost cause. " To support these claims is not "a great human being," but "a vision of man" which is the Gospel and that "today as yesterday, we put at the service of building Europe." Therefore, they conclude, "the construction of the adventure that is truly worth living." (Sir)
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