VATICAN CITY, FEB 27, 2004 (VIS) - Pastors from the province of Besancon and the archbishop and auxiliary bishop of Strasbourg were welcomed this morning by Pope John Paul as they conclude their "ad limina" visit. He noted in his talk that his visits with the different provinces of France are drawing to a close and he thanked the bishops and faithful for their "courageous commitment in proclaiming the Gospel."
The Pope paid homage to the late nuncio in Burundi, Archbishop Michael Courtney, assassinated last December, who had been posted in Strasbourg as the Holy See permanent observer to the Council of Europe. "He was a convinced artisan of cooperation among States on the European continent. Today I invite the local Churches to commit themselves ever more firmly in favor of European integration. To achieve this result, it is important to re-read history and recall that, throughout the centuries, the Christian anthropological, moral and spiritual values largely contributed to fashioning the different European nations and to weaving their deep bonds. .Union cannot be achieved to the detriment of these values nor in opposition to them."
John Paul II stressed that it is not economic or political interests, or alliances of convenience, that forge bonds among peoples. Rather, what must be placed as the building blocks of a unified Europe are the values common to all. "Thus, a Europe will be born whose identity rests on a community of values, a Europe of fraternity and solidarity" that seeks "the promotion of man, respect for his inalienable rights and the common good."
He highlighted "the centuries-old presence of the Church in different countries of the continent through its participation in unity between peoples and cultures and in social life, notably in the educational, charitable, health care and social domains." The Pope also noted that, during their last assembly, the French episcopal conference had discussed the question of the place of the Church in society.
He then turned his attention to the "integral formation of young people, notably those who will be the nation's leaders tomorrow. . The Church hopes to enlighten them with the Gospel and the Magisterium. Here Catholic universities have a specific mission, . to help youth to analyze particular situations and to envisage how to always place man at the center of their decisions."
Pointing to the role of Christians in social life in all its forms, John Paul II said: "In political life, in the economy, in the workplace and in the family, it is up to the faithful to make Christ ever present and to make the Gospel values shine forth," and to highlight man's dignity, central place in the universe and primacy over individual interests.
"The participation of Christians in public life, the visible presence of the Catholic Church and other religious denominations takes nothing away from the principle of secularity nor from the State's prerogatives. . A well understood secularity must not be confused with secularism; it cannot erase personal and community beliefs. . Religion cannot merely be placed to one side in the private sphere."
The Holy Father stressed the importance of knowing one's own religion and being aware of the traditions of other religions, pointing out the strong Muslim presence in France "with whom you try to maintain good relations and to promote inter-religious dialogue which is, as I've said before, a dialogue of life. Such a dialogue should also revive in Christians an awareness of their faith and their attachment to the Church."
In concluding, the Pope told the prelates it was up to them "to intensify relations with civil authorities and other categories of elected people in your country, in national and European parliaments, especially Catholic parliamentarians, and with international institutions."
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