European bishops recall end of World War II
May 08, 2015
Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich, the president of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, has issued a statement commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
“On this day, 8 May, what we remember most of all is the suffering that people had to endure during World War II,” he said. “It is also a day when we give thanks for liberation from Nazi rule.”
“For Pope Francis, the keystone of European society is the unconditional respect of human dignity,” he continued. “The question he puts to us is this: are we still making demands on other people, or have we reached the point of putting ourselves at the service of others?”
Cardinal Marx added:
This crucial question posed by the Pope affects all our current debates in Europe. For instance, what does it mean for the way we are dealing with the refugees who are seeking protection and assistance in Europe? What does it mean in the context of social injustice and tensions in Europe, matters that affect the younger generation who are bereft of future prospects? It’s not always easy to find an answer, let alone a relevant response. But political decisions must be found that are able to reconcile demands and service.
The core challenge that still remains, for us Christians above all, is one that Jesus showed us through example: it is only in caring for others that I can stand up for human dignity.
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