PAPAL MESSAGE FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 7, 1999 (VIS) - Made public early this afternoon was Pope John Paul's Message for the 50th anniversary of the Council of Europe, whose Charter was signed in London on May 5, 1949, making it "the oldest among European institutions" and "the first to be devoted to forging a new unity among the peoples of the Continent."

Dated May 5 and written in English, the message was addressed to those attending the May 6-7 anniversary celebrations in Budapest. Msgrs. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary for Relations with States, and Michael Courtney, Holy See special envoy to the Council of Europe, formed the Holy See delegation.

The focus of the Pope's message was Europe's need "to rediscover and become conscious of the common values which shaped its identity and form part of its historic memory."

Recalling his 1988 visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the Holy Father reiterated his "tribute to the perceptive vision of the founding fathers of the European movement, who succeeded in surpassing national borders, old rivalries and historical animosities in order to launch a new political project ... (of building) 'a common home', cemented by the indispensable values of forgiveness, peace, justice, cooperation, hope and brotherhood."

Pope John Paul said he hoped that the causes of political divisions might be removed and that "the religious divisions in the European family might also be overcome."

Concerning the crisis in the Balkans, he wrote: "I urge you not to lose hope but to continue your praiseworthy efforts to help to bring an end to the violation of fundamental human rights and to the trampling of human dignity."

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