European Identity and Christianity

“It is an identity built on a set of universal values in which Christianity played a role in moulding them, which gives it a role that is not only historical but also foundational vis-à-vis Europe. Such values, which constitute the continent’s soul, must continue in the Europe of the third millennium as a ‘spark’ of civilisation.

Should they fail, how could the “old” continent play the role of “yeast” for the whole world? If on the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, the governments of the Union want to be “closer” to their citizens, how can they exclude from Europe’s identity an essential element like Christianity in which a vast majority continues to identify themselves?

Is it surprising then, that whilst it aspires to be a community of values, modern Europe seems to question universal and absolute values? Even before it is against God, doesn’t this singular form of ‘self-apostasy’ not lead the continent to doubt its own identity?

[…]A community that is built without respect for the authentic dignity of human beings, that forgets that each person is created in God’s image, ends up not doing any one any good. This is why it is seems ever more necessary that Europe be wary of that widespread pragmatic attitude that systematically justifies compromising on essential human values as if accepting an allegedly lesser evil inevitable.” Pope Benedict XVI.