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On Europe Day COMECE and CEI call for a new European humanism

As the European Union marks its annual Europe Day on 9 May, the President of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, urge the EU to rediscover its founding values of peace, unity and solidarity.

By Lisa Zengarini

On the occasion of the annual Europe Day, on May 9, the President of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union, Bishop Mariano Crociata and the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, have addressed an open letter to the EU calling for a renewed sense of participation in shaping the EU's future amid the grave challenges it’s facing today.

Europe Day commemorates the anniversary of the 1950 historic Schumann Declaration in which the then-French foreign minister proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the first in a series of post-war cooperative endeavours between nations which would eventually become what is now the European Union. The observance was established to raise awareness of the founding values of peace, freedom, solidarity and unity in the diversity of the EU and to celebrate its achievements.

Those achievements and values are increasingly put into question today by resurgent nationalism and rising populism, amid growing disaffection with European institutions, and at a time of continuous crises on a continent which is experiencing a war in Ukraine, climate emergencies and a shifting of geopolitical plates.

Against this backdrop and in view of the upcoming European elections on 6-9 June, the open letter emphasizes the need for shared ideals to maintain Europe’s cohesion.

The five-page document begins by praising the EU’s efforts to build unity instead of perpetuating conflict and emphasizes the importance of erasing barriers and working together and acknowledges that, amidst criticisms, the EU has played a crucial role, which was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when cooperation was essential.

A stronger Europe closer to citizens

At the same time, the Presidents of COMECE and CEI express their desire for a stronger EU and for Europeans to feel a closer connection to it.

“We are writing to you as we have a desire in our heart: that what you represent and what you are can be strengthened, that we all learn to feel you close to us, to feel you as a friend and not far nor unknown.”

The five-page document then delves into the historical context that brought about the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, highlighting the devastation caused by wars prior to the formation of the EU, and credits its visionary founders Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, and Alcide De Gasperi, who, inspired by Christian faith, envisioned a Europe where nations could coexist peacefully.

“We cannot forget how, before you, we had been fighting for centuries endless wars whereby millions of people were killed.”

The text goes on to outline the evolution of the EU from its origins and mentions milestones like the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and its enlargement in 2004, as well as significant reforms such as the Lisbon Treaty which entered into force in 2009.

Need for institutional reforms

However, Bishop Crociata and Cardinal Zuppi remark, as “a living body” that the time has come for new institutional reforms to allow Europeans to take up today’s challenges.

However, according to Bishop Crociata and Cardinal Zuppi the new challenges looming today, highlight the urgent need for institutional reforms in the EU.

“You are a living body, so perhaps the time has come for new institutional reforms in order to allow you taking up today’s challenges.”

Expressing strong concern for the resurgence of conflict in the world, and in particular the war in Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East, they urge the EU to assert its role in global affairs, advocating for peace, diplomacy, and values-based policies, and warn against internal divisions that weaken the EU's international influence.

Europe's founding values

Recalling how the Christian faith has contributed significantly to shape the EU values, they further urge a renewed focus on human dignity, birth and family policies, and reiterate the importance of welcoming migrants and fighting injustice.

Also, referring to the emerging challenges of economic innovation, security, environmental sustainability, and misinformation, the letter calls for a renewed sense of citizenship and participation in shaping the EU's future.

Finally, in view of the upcoming European election, Bishop Crociata and Cardinal Zuppi encourage all European citizens to actively participate in the polls emphasizing the importance of civic engagement in shaping the EU's future direction.

A new European humanism

As a way forward, the letter concludes by proposing Pope Francis’ vision for a new European humanism, characterized by “humanization, courage, and a hopeful commitment to common ideals”, citing his words on the occasion of him being presented with the International Charlemagne Prize on 6 May 2016.

“With mind and heart, with hope and without vain nostalgia, like a son who rediscovers in Mother Europe his roots of life and faith, I dream of a new European humanism, one that involves ‘a constant work of humanization’ and calls for ‘memory, courage, [and] a sound and humane utopian vision'”

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