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Catholic World News News Feature

Austrian cardinal sees "true reunification" of Europe June 14, 2004

Vienna's Cardinal Christoph Schönborn sees the entry of 10 new countries into the European Union as "a true act of reunification for our continent."

The Austrian prelate spoke with the Italian daily Avvenire about the coming elections for the European Parliament. He remarked that the unification of 25 different countries, with a wide variety of governments and languages, will be an enormous challenge. But he argued that the entry of the 10 new member-states in May of this year could "could bring new energies" into the European community.

Cardinal Schönborn recalled that Pope John Paul II, in a speech delivered in Vienna in 1998, insisted that the European community would not be complete without the nations of the former Soviet empire. The cardinal said that he felt some other countries should still be added to the community, naming Croatia in particular, but alluding to "other countries in the Balkans" as well.

The European Union, the cardinal continues, Is not a paradise on earth," but it is "a project for peace, to overcome the shadows of the past." That goal is a very worthy one, he said-- particularly from a Christian perspective. And he reminded Avvenire that the original plans for today's European Union were formed by "convinced Catholics" such as Charles Schuman, Anton de Gasperi, and Konrad Adenauer.

As the European Union shapes its political agenda, Cardinal Schönborn said that the task of the Church is to ensure that politicians "do not follow a merely secular vision," particularly regarding matters that involve the dignity of human life and the welfare of the family.

Regarding the drive to include some explicit mention of Christianity in the constitution of the European Union, the cardinal remarked that "the last word has not been heard" in that discussion. Although the current draft does not include such a mention, the Austrian prelate observed that 'the recognition of the continent's Christian heritage is so clearly a reality" that it will be difficult to avoid an explicit mention. He said that the entry of new member-states such as Poland and Malta might help to revive discussion of that issue.

"It is important that the Christian origins are cited in the Preamble," Cardinal Schönborn said; "but still more critical that the text of the Constitution is anchored in the values inspired by Christianity." He observed that in pushing for that recognition of fundamental moral principles, the Christian leaders of Europe are not seeking any special political privilege, but simply hoping to affirm the best traditions of Europe.