Trust was the name of the game at the Old World’s Episcopal summit on debt. It was defined as “a key element for resolving the crisis in a political, economic and social context.” European bishops met in Brussels to share ideas on the crisis and the future of the EU. Europe’s prelates believe the system has lost credibility and is no longer efficient; thus, what is needed is a change in mentality, an in-depth review of the dominant development model, consideration for ethical aspects of the crisis, and above all, investment in the integral growth of the poorest.
The autumn plenary assembly held by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), was attended by 23 member bishops who met to discuss the financial crisis and the future of European integration. The current economic-financial crisis is proving to be a crisis of culture and values. An anthropological rift has been created, as economic gain has taken over from humans as a fundamental reference in terms of work and enterprise.
“The Church feels it is its duty to intervene where human life and dignity, the common good and work rights are at risk, in order to protect people’s dignity and defend the weaker classes,” the summit’s organisers pointed out.
As he opened the plenary proceedings, Mgr. Adrianus van Luyn, Emeritus Bishop of Rotterdam and President of COMECE, spoke about the world financial crisis, the dialogue between European Churches and the EU Court of Justice’s recent sentence recognising the embryo as a human being from the moment of conception.
During the assembly, European bishops focused on the analysis of the economic and political reasons for the continent’s debt crisis, as well as the measures taken to deal with the crisis. They also reflected on “trust” as a fundamental element for resolving the crisis in a political, economic and social context.
The summit’s objective, Vatican Radio explained, is to “elaborate on the debate over the EU’s political process and inform the Church on European legislative and political developments.” The continent’s bishops also wished to encourage reflection, based on the Church’s social doctrine and the challenges of building a united Europe.
Various lay personalities form the world of economics also added to the debate, including: Peter Wagner, who is in charge of the European Commission’s “task force” for Greece; Lans Bovenberg, of Tilburg university (Netherlands); Emmanuel van der Mensbrugghe, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Europe Office and Jean-Pierre Jouyet, President of France’s financial markets’ authority.
The specific world scenario has pushed national Churches to reflect, to study the situation in a more in-depth way, to share experiences, to search for common strategies, to collaborate in an efficient manner, taking into account all the various ecclesiastical bodies working on social questions.
Unemployment is one of the most visible and serious consequences of the current crisis: a problem which in some Countries, takes on an even more dramatic tone, affecting a higher number of people and calling for the Church’s special attention, as a result of the serious effects this has on individuals, families and society as a whole.
During the opening session, it was Peter Wagner’s turn to illustrate the “Mission and the early experiences of the task-force for Greece.”
According to European bishops, social justice can and must be continuously purified and motivated by that force of love that comes from God, in the form of charity, and which goes way beyond a simple balance of forces or distributive justice.
Then it was Professor Lans Bovenberg’s turn to speak. He spoke about “The economic and political reasons of the European debt crisis”. Mr. Emmanuel van der Mensbrugghe then discussed the “measures adopted to deal with the crisis: the IMF’s point of view.”
The Church sees politics and everything that is to do with social life as an integral part of its service to God and in the name of God to man. As such, any attempt to separate the pastoral mission of evangelization from social problems, constitutes a serious error and gives the impression that social justice has nothing to do with faith, or that God is not the Lord of History.
Jean-Pierre Jouyet presented his report on “trust”, as a factor for resolving the crisis and the psychological factor of the crisis within the current political, economic and social context.” Following a debate, the topic: “Europe’s Social Market Economy: a declaration by COMECE’s bishops”, was analysed.
Mgr. Aldo Giordano, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the Council of Europe, also made a speech, and there was a presentation of the initiatives and activities of COMECE’s Secretariat. The Church protects the public aspect of faith and reminds society of certain values that are not negotiable because they are not decided by humans.
An appeal was made for people to make their own responsible contribution to the formulation of solutions that are appropriate to current social problems, on the basis on their own faith heritage and their own social experience.
After the Eucharist, which was celebrated in the chapel of Saint Benedict and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, urgent topics were discussed and Mgr. Duarte da Cunha, Secretary General of the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE), gave an illustration of a report on the activities of the CCEE.
Following this, there was a meeting with Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council.