No future for Europe without return to Christian roots, says Cardinal Kasper [CNA]

[CNA_News]

Vatican City, May 20, 2010 / 10:12 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During a recent symposium in Rome on the Orthodox and Catholic Churches of Europe, the no-nonsense president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper, reflected briefly on the future of Europe. With his characteristic frankness, he said, "If Europe wants to have a future again, it must first and foremost renew its Christian roots."http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/i7LLQujewg8

Full article…

 

[doanli]

Totally agree.

And the same goes for this country (USA) as well.

 

[Yellow_Belle]

Vatican City, May 20, 2010 / 10:12 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During a recent symposium in Rome on the Orthodox and Catholic Churches of Europe, the no-nonsense president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper, reflected briefly on the future of Europe. With his characteristic frankness, he said, "If Europe wants to have a future again, it must first and foremost renew its Christian roots."http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/i7LLQujewg8

Full article…

I respectfully disagree. Europe may not have the future the good Cardinal would like it to have, but it DOES have a future, as does every other continent until the end of time. One could just as easily ask what kind of future Christianity will have without Europe, what will Christianity look like when the vast majority of its adherents are African and Asian?

 

[Zatzat]

Totally agree.

And the same goes for this country (USA) as well.

Do you realize that many people refer to your country as ’ Jesus Land’? America is the land where something like 50% of the population believes in the Creation story.

How much more Christian can you get?

In any event, a Europe free of the dogmatic restraints of all religion, is a strong Europe with a bright future.

 

[OriginalJS]

This is a thought provoking item. In many ways Europe has put in practice Christian values that were unheard of before the Enlightenment. The social welfare programs are examples of caring for one’s brother that represent real advances that should be applauded by right thinking people. I’d like to know what era the Cardinal would like Europe to return to. I suspect he is not urging a return to Christian roots, but a return to massive ecclesiastical involvement in people’s everyday life. The Church is still present in Europe but its political power has been eroded; that seems to be the real issue.

 

[Timothy17]

In any event, a Europe free of the dogmatic restraints of all religion, is a strong Europe with a bright future.

Yeah, and that’s the kind of macho-rhetoric that has made Europe that place in my history book that once was relevant.

 

[Timothy17]

I respectfully disagree. Europe may not have the future the good Cardinal would like it to have, but it DOES have a future, as does every other continent until the end of time.

Obviously, yes, it does have a future as a geographical location; however, the Europe being forged now is headed into oblivion. It will not recognize itself in a mirror, and frankly its future is looking cliche.

One could just as easily ask what kind of future Christianity will have without Europe, what will Christianity look like when the vast majority of its adherents are African and Asian?

It will look Christian, and most likely be despised by Europe for lack of anything better to do.

 

[UnworthyApostle]

On a spiritual level, I could not agree more. Now to address the reincarnation of Marx,“In any event, a Europe free of the dogmatic restraints of all religion, is a strong Europe with a bright future.” This can never be true as it is a logical impossibility. First, the Euro-White population is shrinking while the Muslims multiply like rabbits. In a couple decades Eurabaia will be a reality. Do you think that Muslim majority will let go of their dogmas? Secondly, people will always be enthralled by a belief system which has its dogmas. Marxism/Humanism/Secularism is to be included within the prior sentence, It has plenty of dogmatic statements one must accept to adhere to that worldview.

 

[Yellow_Belle]

Obviously, yes, it does have a future as a geographical location; however, the Europe being forged now is headed into oblivion. It will not recognize itself in a mirror, and frankly its future is looking cliche.

Cliche? I suppose in the end it depends on what you mean by ‘Europe’. Most here seem to see it as the (apparently, hated) EU or as an amorphous mass characterised only by being ‘different’ -and negatively ‘different’ - from the US. The usual hypocritical wringing of hands and the secretly gleeful anticipation of the ‘end of Europe’ that is so common on these forums, is, frankly, getting tired and…well…clichéd.

It will look Christian, and most likely be despised by Europe for lack of anything better to do.

Christianity will look Christian? Well, that’s something to look forward to. But my question was really how will white,Christian America feel about it then? What will the reaction be to, say, an Asian or an African Pope?

On the OP, IMO OriginalJS has gone to the heart of the matter:

I’d like to know what era the Cardinal would like Europe to return to. I suspect he is not urging a return to Christian roots, but a return to massive ecclesiastical involvement in people’s everyday life. The Church is still present in Europe but its political power has been eroded; that seems to be the real issue.

 

[Sherry_G]

This is a thought provoking item. In many ways Europe has put in practice Christian values that were unheard of before the Enlightenment. The social welfare programs are examples of caring for one’s brother that represent real advances that should be applauded by right thinking people. I’d like to know what era the Cardinal would like Europe to return to. I suspect he is not urging a return to Christian roots, but a return to massive ecclesiastical involvement in people’s everyday life. The Church is still present in Europe but its political power has been eroded; that seems to be the real issue.

I think the good Cardinal is referring to the values taught by Jesus Christ himself and carried forward to the present day through Apostolic succession by the Roman Catholic Church. Those values do include caring for those who cannot care for themselves, especially the unborn, respecting the human rights of each person from conception to natural death, honoring our God, our parents, protecting our children, spreading Christs’ message of love, respecting the marriage convenant and protecting the family structure including a woman as mother and a man as father and accepting as many children as God chooses to send us. Those Christian roots will sustain all nations until He comes again to call us home to heaven.

 

[Yellow_Belle]

I think the good Cardinal is referring to the values taught by Jesus Christ himself and carried forward to the present day through Apostolic succession by the Roman Catholic Church.

So only Catholics can have Christian values?

 

[the_phoenix]

The usual hypocritical wringing of hands and the secretly gleeful anticipation of the ‘end of Europe’ that is so common on these forums, is, frankly, getting tired and…well…clichéd.

I for one would love to see a strongly Catholic Christian Europe survive and thrive.

What will the reaction be to, say, an Asian or an African Pope?

Sounds awesome to me, I would be very happy to welcome an Asian or African Pope into my heart at the words “HABEMUS PAPAM!”

 

[Timothy17]

Cliche? I suppose in the end it depends on what you mean by ‘Europe’. Most here seem to see it as the (apparently, hated) EU or as an amorphous mass characterised only by being ‘different’ -and negatively ‘different’ - from the US. The usual hypocritical wringing of hands and the secretly gleeful anticipation of the ‘end of Europe’ that is so common on these forums, is, frankly, getting tired and…well…clichéd.

You are right in that my comments were uncharitable. Concerning your Americana comments, you are wrong, because I am Canadian and we are imbibed with a fondness of Europe and don’t have the stereotypical American sentiments you imply. Ideologically Canadians are more European than American.

Second, simply because you grow tired of a view does not mean the view isn’t merited or less true. Complaining about a popular attitude does not change the reasons for that attitude. Insomuch as Europe isn’t doing anyone any harm, save for themselves and their future, you are right to belittle outside comments. Nonetheless, considering Europe’s history as a powder keg for world wars, a trend towards secularism, moral-relativity and existentialism is a cause for alarm for Americans, and Canadians. A damn good one.

 

[edwest2]

Excellent points. Those in “power” in Europe run the risk of Indifference opening the door to a charismatic figure who will exploit the Communist Leftist Marxists by proposing some ideas that appeal to them. Then, once in power, he will pull the rug out from under them. It happened in 1933. All that’s needed today are new speeches, new enemies (Muslims seem to be the current choice), and different stage costumes.

The trick, of course, is to make it sound modern with a voice that calls to an inevitable future. A Europe free of “them.”

In the alternative, Christians can evangelize Europe.

God bless,
Ed

 

[Sherry_G]

So only Catholics can have Christian values?

WEll, I am pretty sure that the good Cardinal is a Catholic and would be speaking from a Catholic perspective. Additionally, all christians were Catholics until well into the 16th century if history can be believed. The Catholic church is the official bearer of the Christian message. An what is your perspective on this? I assume you do have one.

 

[DianeGee]

Where is the “European soul” at this time? Does it need God? Is it restless? Is it in despair? Does it hunger for God? Does it feel lost?

If any of the above is true, then Europe is ready for the message (the Gospel).

I hope the time is right!

 

[Yellow_Belle]

Complaining about a popular attitude does not change the reasons for that attitude. Insomuch as Europe isn’t doing anyone any harm, save for themselves and their future, you are right to belittle outside comments. Nonetheless, considering Europe’s history as a powder keg for world wars, a trend towards secularism, moral-relativity and existentialism is a cause for alarm for Americans, and Canadians. A damn good one.

If a popular attitude is based on ignorance and prejudice - as much of what passes for opinion about Europe and Europeans on this forum tends to be, when it is not downright condescending - then I’ll continue to challenge it. And if you think that secularism, moral relativity and existentialism are the sole preserve of Europe, you need a reality check. As for ‘Europe’s history as a powder keg for world wars’, Europe is not the continent that has a country that seems to have been at war with some part of the world or other since 1945.

 

[Timothy17]

If a popular attitude is based on ignorance and prejudice - as much of what passes for opinion about Europe and Europeans on this forum tends to be, when it is not downright condescending - then I’ll continue to challenge it.

Then all the power to you.

And if you think that secularism, moral relativity and existentialism are the sole preserve of Europe, you need a reality check.

You are correct; however, nowhere is it so rampant and enforced than in Europe, and from out of Europe it (moral relativism, secularism, and existentialism) came.

As for ‘Europe’s history as a powder keg for world wars’, Europe is not the continent that has a country that seems to have been at war with some part of the world or other since 1945.

Would you have prefered a dozen countries continually at war? Because the country not-mentioned succeeded in enforcing on Europe its long-held belief (even held long before WWII) that Europe was a powder keg for worthless, stupid wars following the world’s most deadly war, which it ended. That is to say that the U.S has succesfully dismantled systematically every European imperial power, hence why they are today the only Western super-power.

Now, of course we are exluding the Soviet Union from this, which was a European state that naturally warred continually, committed subversion, built an empire, assassinated, took political prisoners, and foisted every perversion of society in the book (actually, they wrote the Revolutionary’s Hand Guide) until 1991. The only real force standing in their way in Europe was the teachings of the Catholic Church, and American arms (which forced a stalemate and determined the battlefield would be ideological; that is, over the hearts and minds of men, a turf the Church always does well in).

 

[Yellow_Belle]

You are correct; however, nowhere is it so rampant and enforced than in Europe, and from out of Europe it (moral relativism, secularism, and existentialism) came.

Enforced? You’ll have to expand on that a bit. And whatever about existentialism, I think you’ll find that another continent heads the league in moral relativism and secularism.

The only real force standing in their way in Europe was the teachings of the Catholic Church, and American arms (which forced a stalemate and determined the battlefield would be ideological; that is, over the hearts and minds of men, a turf the Church always does well in)

That’s a matter of opinion. Funny how the Church couldn’t successfully stand up to the equally evil fascism in all its manifestations throughout Europe. It sold out to Mussolini to protect its real estate - small wonder that Italian communists made such headway during and after the war. It failed abysmally to challenge Hitler and did nothing when its eldest daughter, France, was raped and pillaged by the Nazis. So much for winning hearts and minds.

 

[Yellow_Belle]

I see what you’re saying, JC, and I agree with your point, but in fairness to Timothy17 I don’t think that was the correlation he was making.