Pope sees European 'amnesia' about Christian roots

April 11, 2011

"To declare that Europe does not have Christian roots is like claiming that a man may live without oxygen or nourishment ," said Pope Benedict XVI on April 11 as he welcomed a new ambassador from Croatia to the Holy See.

Noting that Croatia will soon become a full member of the European Union, the Pope told the new envoy, Filip Vucak, that the move should not entail a step toward secularization. The people of Croatia, the Pontiff should, should be bring into the European community “their rich Croatian historical heritage and the Christian culture with which it is deeply permeated.” Pope Benedict added that Europe needs constant reminders of its own Christian heritage. He said:

Dour voices dispute Europe's religious roots with bewildering regularity. Amnesia and the denial of historical evidence have become customary.

Pope Benedict will be visiting Croatia in June.

 

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Further information:

• Croatia: Defending Religious and Cultural Identity (VIS)
• Croatia, ‘Together in Christ’, even in the EU (Vatican Radio)