FIRST GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 1999 (VIS) - The First General Congregation of the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops was held this afternoon in the Synod Hall. It began at 5:05 p.m. in the presence of Pope John Paul and 165 synod fathers, and ended at 7:10 p.m.

The meeting began with a greeting by President Delegate, Cardinal Franciszek Macharski. Speaking Latin, he highlighted the "multiple and rich traditions of the European peoples," the noteworthy political changes that had taken place in the last decade in Europe and the relationship between religion, Christianity in particular, and the cultures of Europe.

Notwithstanding many problems, said the cardinal, including the "rebuilding" of Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall, "signs of hope have not been lacking in these years."

The president delegate continued: "New perspectives of hope opened up even on the ecumenical terrain, in the relationship between East and West: among the many positive signs of this should one not mention the (Pope's) visit to Romania and the encounter with Patriarch Teoctist?"

"Our common meditation," Cardinal Macharski concluded, "will show us, in a better way, in the forthcoming days, what our responsibilities are during the present moment towards our Europe, victoriously emerging from historical, civil, moral and religious constraints, a Europe which, despite fatigue and crisis, is moving towards integrated renewal, which the Church sees as possible by maintaining hope in the Lord Jesus."

The next speaker this evening was Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, who also addressed the assembly in Latin.

He reviewed the history of this second assembly for Europe, including Pope John Paul's convocation announcement on June 23, 1996 in Berlin and his announcement on April 18, 1997 of the theme: "Jesus Christ, Alive in His Church, Source of Hope for Europe."

Cardinal Schotte also spoke of the appointment of the members of the pre-synodal council and of the council's functions, the drafting by council members of the "Lineamenta," the preparation of the "Instrumentum Laboris," and the criteria used in selecting the synod participants. Participants, he stated, number 179: There are 72 "ex officio members," 84 elected members and 23 who were appointed by the Holy Father.

The secretary general then reviewed the synod's preparatory work, as well as the calendar of events of the synod, which officially began this morning with the concelebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

The Relator General, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, archbishop of Madrid, gave an overview of the situation of the Church on the threshold of the third millennium: challenges and difficulties, as well as hopes for re-evangelizing the continent.

"The work of this synod," he said at the beginning of his speech in Latin, "may justly be considered a contribution to the examination of conscience which the Jubilee requires from us all. Europe will have to re-examine the path that, since 1989, it has been following towards the construction of a new unity based on freedom, justice and solidarity. We must examine the situation of the Church regarding the new evangelization. The new evangelization represents the specific contribution the Church can make towards the longed-for spiritual, social and economic rebirth of our peoples with the final objective, inherent in the mission entrusted to the Church by the Lord and which constitutes her very reason for existence, namely, announcing and offering to humanity the Gospel of salvation."

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and of the totalitarian systems, said Cardinal Rouco, "some people imagined that there would naturally follow a period in which Europeans were finally going to see the realization of their ideals of freedom and justice in full respect of human dignity."

"Nonetheless, we must note that no small number of more or less well-founded hopes from these years has finished in disillusionment and disappointment, both in East and West. In the East, hopes have been dashed for a growth that would quickly lead to a level of economic well-being similar to that of the most developed nations in the West."

Among the "situations that weaken Church life in Europe today and that do not allow her to offer that clear witness of Christ and His Gospel that is so urgently required," are the exaggerated nationalism that led to war in the Balkans, the lack of ideals among Europeans, "many of whom have only the ideal of immediate exploitation of whatever life can offer in the way of pleasure," the crisis in the family, the falling birth-rate and abortion.

The archbishop of Madrid stated: "Secularist culture, dominant in our modern day Europe, presents many difficulties in a person's life and in the announcement of the Gospel." He added: "Europe is today faced with a fundamental decision: Conversion to the God of our forebears, whose Son was made flesh for the love of humanity, or separation from the spiritual roots that gave rise to real humanism in Europe. Our task as Church members is to announce the living God with our words and deeds, that is, to proclaim the Gospel of Hope. ... We must announce the Gospel with a full, courageous faith. ... The days of fear and neurosis have passed. We still commit errors in our preaching and in our pastoral work, yet we trust that our own shortcomings are more than compensated for by the Word itself, when we present it clearly and faithfully."

He continued: "There are various signs that lead us to think that integral, clear and renewed preaching of the risen Christ, the resurrection and eternal life will be a priority over the next few years. ... Have we not spoken too little and in too fragmentary a fashion on the future glory that the Church expects for her children and for the whole of creation? ... Another indication that speaks in favor of giving particular importance to preaching the last article of faith is the increasing recourse by many of our contemporaries - including some baptized - to certain substitutes for true hope, such as belief in reincarnation, astrology and other prophesying techniques.... Hedonism and even ethical cynicism ... are undoubtedly a sign of a deficiency in true moral fiber. ... The paradoxical skepticism of modern day Europeans - children of the 'culture of liberty' - concerning the true extent of man's free decisions, also makes us think of the necessity of speaking to such people with renewed commitment about the eternal dimension which is implicit in all levels of their being, called to perfect communion with God."

Cardinal Rouco Varela went on to refer to European unity: "The professional dedication of Christians to politics and the public order of society takes on a new and pressing urgency in light of the process - already fairly advanced - of building European unity upon the solid foundation of justice, freedom and peace."

"We must keep working so that 'the most basic right, the right to life of every person', is put fully into practice, 'and that the death penalty be abolished. This fundamental and indispensable right to life does not only imply that every person must be able to survive, but that each can live in just and dignified conditions.'"

"It is equally important," he added, "not to neglect a serious family policy, which guarantees the rights of married couples and children. This is particularly necessary for social cohesion and stability."

Finally, said the cardinal archbishop of Madrid, "a new, clearer emphasis must be placed on the Church's desire to contribute to creating closer ties of solidarity and cooperation within Europe as well as with peoples from other parts of the world, especially the most needy."

Europe "is passing through a precarious situation placing it at an historical crossroads. Despair, which is more or less acknowledged but clearly evident in such situations as those resulting from the family or demographic crises, affects all sectors of social life, especially youth who are without work and bereft of hope for a meaningful life."

"The Church, united to the destiny of Europe since the start of her evangelizing mission, looks upon the situation with concern. However, numerous signs exist which nourish our hope, a hope based solely on faith in Jesus Christ. In His incarnation - whose 2000th anniversary we are about to celebrate in the Holy Year - He united Himself in a particular way to every person. Many Europeans have found in him the meaning of life; they have formed a culture with deep Christian roots and diffused the Gospel throughout the world. Today in Europe, the Church continues to profess Jesus Christ, celebrating the mysteries of His life and serving Him in Charity."

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