In its interreligious meetings for peace, this year in Paris, the Community of Sant’Egidio invites us to reflect on Europe as a family or mosaic of peoples, but also as a land of conflicts, and again as destiny, according to the expression of the German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
Sant’Egidio sees in the European Union a unique model of reconciliation and peace in the world. Andrea Riccardi loves to underline the diversity of languages, cultures, traditions, religions, “smells and flavors”. For him, “realizes the civilization of living together”, marked by the meeting of civilizations and peoples, with the responsibility of building bridges with the world.
Europe, survived
Europe has come a long way. Today’s Europe has survived two wars that devastated it in the 20th century. In 1945 it was nothing, as evidenced by the magnificent film by Roberto Rossellini, Germany year zero. On April 25, 1945, American troops and the Red Army joined forces on the Elbe, at Torgau. Europe no longer existed.
However, it was able not only to rebuild itself, but also to build itself on radically new foundations: this was the community solution brought by Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet with the declaration of 9 May 1950. It involved the sharing of coal and steel, an idea revolutionary: “The fusion of interests essential to the establishment of an economic community will thus be achieved in a simple and rapid way, introducing the ferment of a broader and deeper community between countries that have long been opposed by bloody divisions. »
The Europe of generosity
Without falling into nostalgia, let us remember the strength of the intuitions of the fathers of Europe, in particular Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer and Alcide De Gasperi, statesmen who imagined a regenerated Europe on the double foundation of solidarity and concrete generosity, which Pope Francis recently described as “herald of peace and prophet of the future”.
Community means pooling, common management, sharing of essential products. It’s about creating a common destiny. The word community comes from Christianity, it expresses the desire to create strong relationships between members. Although the European Communities have chosen to abandon this term in favor of the milder term Union, the European Union is indeed a community; certainly, with its weaknesses, its functioning problems, its divisions, but also its power, its solidity, because the bonds that are created are inextricable and difficult to break, as the Brexit saga has demonstrated.
Escape from crises
Starting from coal and steel, Europe has built an impressive set of common policies in all areas, not least that of the common currency, which expands to correspond to most of the continent today. It has been able to resist many crises, monetary, social, agricultural and even health. It has been able to emerge from crises by strengthening its common rules, as demonstrated by the 2020 health crisis. The community has enabled peace in Europe for seventy-five years.
The community is a method: delegations of sovereignty, organized dialog between member states, common institutions, search for compromises. But it also means highlighting what is shared: the Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman heritage, a certain idea of man as a person, human rights, solidarity between countries and between regions within Europe but also with the rest of the world. respect for national cultures.
Unprecedented resurgence of anti-Semitism
However, for several years Europe has seen new fears, new retreats, populisms and neo-nationalisms emerge within it, which tend to exacerbate the idea of the border. War is once again present on its territory, in Ukraine, and in the Union itself, with Islamic terrorism intending to tear our societies apart. It is faced with an unprecedented resurgence of anti-Semitism, with a dramatic circulation of the virus of anti-Semitic hatred.
Letting such hatred flourish, let alone encouraging it, represents an existential risk for Europe, founded spiritually and intellectually on the meeting of Jerusalem, Athens and Rome. The European Union is also faced with the renewal of Russian expansionism, which relaunches the imperial policy of the tsars, carried out by the Bolsheviks, temporarily interrupted by the fall of the communist regime. But so far it has managed to maintain a united position. He is also shaken by people from other places knocking on his door. Without a common army, it nevertheless manages to rely on its tradition of meeting people and cultural traditions. This is the soul of Europe.
The risk of decline
John Paul II declared to the presidents of the national parliaments of the member states of the European Union on 24 September 2000: “The European Union must not forget that it is the cradle of the ideas of personhood and freedom, and that these ideas derive from its long impregnation of Christianity. May the European Union experience a new surge of humanity! May he be able to obtain the necessary consensus to include among his highest ideals the protection of life, respect for others, mutual service and brotherhood without exclusions. »
In front of the European Parliament, on 25 November 2014, Pope Francis warned of an aging Europe, which has lost its vitality, in decline, even sterile, without creativity. For him the challenge is to renew Europe’s humanist traditions: solidarity, generosity, dialog between cultures are for him the key words to relaunch it.
The Pope’s concern is to build “a culture that knows how to establish strategies not of death, but of life, not of exclusion but of integration”. Evidently he is thinking about the migration issue. To do this, Europe will have to rely on its personalist tradition, placing the “human person”, dear to Emmanuel Mounier, Jacques Maritain and Emmanuel Levinas, at the center of its policies. The future of Europe lies in its ability to preserve this Judeo-Christian heritage.
What challenges does Europe face in fostering unity among its diverse cultures?
Time.news Interview: Building Bridges in a Divided Europe
Interviewer: Good day, and welcome to this special edition of Time.news. Today, we are fortunate to have with us Andrea Riccardi, co-founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio and a prominent voice in discussions around peace and reconciliation in Europe. Thank you for joining us, Andrea.
Andrea Riccardi: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these important topics with you.
Interviewer: The Community of Sant’Egidio recently hosted interreligious meetings for peace in Paris. Can you elaborate on the key themes and takeaways from these gatherings?
Andrea Riccardi: Certainly. This year’s meetings focused on a critical and urgent reflection around Europe, viewing it as both a family and a mosaic. While we acknowledge the continent’s diverse cultures and traditions, we must also confront the reality of conflicts that challenge our unity. The concept of Europe as our shared destiny was highlighted, echoing Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s thoughts on our period of coexistence.
Interviewer: You mentioned Europe’s diversity. How does this uniqueness contribute to the idea of a communal destiny and the potential for peace?
Andrea Riccardi: Our diversity is indeed a powerful asset. I believe it embodies the civilization of living together, promoting the idea that bridging civilizations is our responsibility. The European Union represents a model of reconciliation that demonstrates how different languages, cultures, and faiths can coexist harmoniously. This is particularly vital today as we face challenges like rising populism and anti-Semitism.
Interviewer: Speaking of challenges, Europe has experienced significant turmoil in the past century, from wars to current conflicts like the ongoing situation in Ukraine. How has Europe managed to rebuild and sustain itself in the face of such difficulties?
Andrea Riccardi: Europe’s resilience is remarkable. Following the devastation post-1945, we embraced a revolutionary idea—the sharing of resources like coal and steel to forge economic and political unity. The foundational principles laid by figures like Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet were rooted in solidarity and generosity, which have become the cornerstones of our community today. You can’t forget the lessons of the past or how essential it is to engage in organized dialog among member states.
Interviewer: While Europe has shown resilience, anti-Semitism and other forms of xenophobia are resurfacing. What do you believe is fueling this trend, and how can we address it?
Andrea Riccardi: The resurgence of anti-Semitism and populism can be attributed to deeper societal fears and the retraction from globalism. In times of uncertainty, individuals often turn inwards, and some governments exploit these fears for political gain. To combat this, we must promote a narrative of inclusion, emphasizing our shared humanity and the historical foundations of Europe, which are deeply tied to Judeo-Christian values and respect for human rights. It’s vital to foster stronger educational initiatives and intercommunity dialogues to counteract hate.
Interviewer: The concept of a united Europe appears under threat not only from internal strife but also from external pressures like Russian expansionism. What should the EU’s response be moving forward?
Andrea Riccardi: The EU must prioritize unity and a coherent strategy. History has shown that division invites conflict. It’s essential to maintain a united front against aggressive nationalism and expansionism, promoting a common defense framework, while also addressing humanitarian concerns for those seeking refuge within our borders. Engaging in dialogues with neighboring countries can help ease tensions and reinforce the idea that collaboration is more beneficial than isolation.
Interviewer: Before we conclude, what message would you like to impart regarding the future of Europe’s social fabric?
Andrea Riccardi: I believe the future of Europe lies in its ability to embrace its heritage of diversity while committing to mutual respect and cooperation. We are at a crossroads; we can let division define us, or we can reaffirm our commitment to a community of shared destinies. It’s time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and build those bridges that bind us together—this is our greatest strength in an increasingly fractured world.
Interviewer: Thank you, Andrea, for your insightful reflections. Your commitment to peace and community is truly inspiring. We hope to see a Europe that thrives on unity and respect.
Andrea Riccardi: Thank you, and let’s hope for a brighter future together!
