The European bishops gathered representatives from 29 countries to create strategies for building solidarity on the continent in the first ever “Catholic Social Days for Europe.” These days, sponsored by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, took place in Gdansk from Thursday to Sunday.
In the closing statement, titled “Solidarity Is the Future of Europe,” the bishops recalled the 70th anniversary of the beginning of World War II, and the resulting quest for reconciliation that gave rise to the European Union.
They underlined the need to uphold the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity so as to promote the common good throughout Europe. The bishops affirmed, “Selfish behavior, utilitarianism and materialism need to give way to sharing, as has been clearly demonstrated by the current economic crisis.”
They added that “the inalienable dignity of human life from the moment of conception to natural death must be respected. We should not be afraid,” the prelates stated, as “solidarity is our common future.”
They continued: “The unity of Europe has been the dream of some. It has become a hope for many. Today it is our duty to ensure that it continues to serve the objective of global solidarity.”
GDANSK, Poland, OCT. 12, 2009 (Zenit.org)