Build defense of human rights on strong basis, Pope advises European leaders
November 25, 2014
In an afternoon meeting with leaders of the Council of Europe on November 25, Pope Francis recalled the roots of the European Union and challenged political leaders to promote peace through a program of respectful dialogue.
The European Union, the Pope said, reflects a “yearning for unity which, from antiquity, has characterized the life of the continent.” In the aftermath of two world wars, he said: “The dream of the founders was to rebuild Europe in a spirit of mutual service.” The first priority of the new European body is to protect the peace, the Pope continued. He observed that peace must be build painstakingly; the work calls for “banishing a culture of conflict aimed at fear of others.” The prospects for peace, he added, are darkened by religious terrorism, by the arms race (which he described as “one of the greatest curses of the human race”), by slavery and human trafficking, and by other offenses against human dignity.
To promote peace, then the Council of Europe is rightly dedicated to the defense of human rights, the Pontiff said. He cautioned, however, that this effort itself is endangered by a “subjectivist assertion of right,” which replaces natural-law arguments with individualistic assertions. “This kind of individualism leads to human impoverishment and cultural aridity, since it effectively cuts off the nourishing roots on which the tree grows,” the Pope said.
Pope Francis said that the European Union today should devote itself to “transversality.” He explained that he was calling for “open, respectful, and enriching exchange” among peoples of different nations, backgrounds, religions, and generations. He said that it is not enough to arrange for formal discussions among established institutions; such an approach “ends up being unproductive,” he said. Rather, the Pope called for genuine efforts to break down institutional barriers and achieve a society marked by person-to-person dialogue and understanding.
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