Pope Francis castigates Europe in speech on solidarity

[Exiled_Child]

theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/pope-francis-urges-europe-to-return-to-post-war-principles

**Europe is struggling to live up to the vision of its founders, Pope Francis has said in a powerful speech that asked: “What has happened to you, the Europe of humanism, the champion of human rights, democracy and freedom?”

Speaking as he became the first pope to accept the prestigious Charlemagne prize for his work on behalf of European solidarity, the pontiff called for Europe to reclaim the principles that had been established after the second world war, above all by embracing integration and revamping its economic model to “benefit ordinary people and society as a whole”.**

The article continues at the link.

 

[liturgyluver]

Also from the speech:

He hailed the previous generation, who had laid the “foundations for a bastion of peace, an edifice made up of states united not by force but by free commitment to the common good”. “Their new and exciting desire to create unity seems to be fading. We, the heirs of their dream, are tempted to yield to our own selfish interests and to consider putting up fences here and there,” he said. This appeared to be a direct reference to moves by Austria and others countries to re-establish border fences in response to the continent’s refugee crisis, 20 years after they were eradicated.

Europe, he emphasised, had always had a multicultural identity and that required a culture of dialogue and the “respect [of] the foreigner, the immigrant and people from different cultures as worthy of being listened to”.

Similarly, he said the fair distribution of wealth was not just an issue of philanthropy, but a moral obligation. “If we want to rethink our society, we need to create dignified and well-paying jobs, especially for our young people. We cannot look to the future without offering them the real possibility to be catalysts of change and transformation. We cannot envision Europe without letting them be participants and protagonists in their dream.”

His message included a call for a total revamp of economic policies, and the creation of “new, more inclusive and equitable economic models”. “We need to move from a liquid economy prepared to use corruption as a means of obtaining profits, to a social economy that guarantees access to land and lodging through labour.”

He ended his speech with a vision of his dream for Europe: one where “being a migrant is not a crime but a summons to greater commitment on behalf of the dignity of every human being”.

 

[JosieN]

Humanism, human rights, democracy and freedom?” Christianity???.

 

[RPRPsych]

Humanism, human rights, democracy and freedom?” Christianity???.

The other thread on this speech has a link to the full text, where the Holy Father also discusses the role of the Church and Christian unity in his vision for Europe. Obviously, mainstream media will ignore that part.

 

[Syrtis16]

Are we in agreement with the Holy Father? Is it folly to suggest Europe’s key players will utilise the Holy Father’s sentiments on immigration and multiculturalism as a means of importing a never ending surge of Muslims into Europe?

Are the Holy Fathers words therefore dangerous for the future of Christian Europe?

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

I am dismayed that average European politicians are making write-off comments about the British people. We are their close neighbours and I want them to care for us as us, whatever the political details. A friendly human warmth doesn’t depend on political details.

When people are too traumatised to deal with the main issues, the only “safe” subject to mouth off about is to have a go at those tea-swilling, bowler-hatted, etc etc.



What you eat, and what you put on your head is about all it boils down to! Not so long ago it was the Haumavarga and the Tigrakhauta!

:extrahappy: