The chairs of four European bishops’ conferences have issued a striking appeal to the public, calling on all Europeans to “make Europe again”. The letter, announced by “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, will appear simultaneously in four languages this Friday.
Signed by the leaders of the episcopal conferences of Italy, France, Germany and Poland-Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Cardinal Jean‑Marc Aveline, Bishop Georg Bätzing and Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda-the letter laments a world torn by war, violence and polarization. “Many of our fellow citizens are frightened and lost” the bishops state. “The international order is being undermined, and Europe must rediscover its soul if it is to offer the world its essential contribution to the common good”.
The writers recall that after World II, Catholic laypeople rallied around the idea of Europe as a common home. They point to the “Christian founders of Europe” notably French statesmen Robert Schuman and later Pierre Bérégovoy, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, and Italian Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi. Their aim had been “the realization of a reconciled society”.
According to the bishops, Europe should not become merely a market of goods and finance, for that would betray the founding fathers’ original intuition. “The world needs Europe” they insist. This urgency, they say, must be internalized by Christians so they can decisively shape Europe’s future. “In the name of their faith, Christians are invited to share across the continent their hope for a universal brotherhood”.
