ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - Europe has arrived at a crucial point of its existence and future, and it cannot be reduced only to the common market or community which would guarantee safety and security to tis citizens. A new wind of God's
love has been heralded encouraging all peoples of Europe to make the continent be something more, said participants in the Stuttgart grand assembly which pooled some 10,000 members of 175 movements, communities and groups of various Christian denominations on Saturday under the motto "Together for Europe".
ZAGREB, May 8 (Hina) - Europe has arrived at a crucial point of its
existence and future, and it cannot be reduced only to the common
market or community which would guarantee safety and security to tis
citizens. A new wind of God's love has been heralded encouraging all
peoples of Europe to make the continent be something more, said
participants in the Stuttgart grand assembly which pooled some 10,000
members of 175 movements, communities and groups of various Christian
denominations on Saturday under the motto "Together for Europe".#L#
According to the conclusions of the first meeting of this kind, Europe
is viewed as a continent of diversity and beauty which has experienced
ups and downs including great evils as two world wars and labour and
concentration camps. However today, Europeans are grateful witnesses
to the reconciled, free and democratic Europe. In this light, the
Christian communities and movements offer to Europe new kind of unity
which can resist all challenges, the participants said in the
conclusions.
Europe is becoming a message of peace and can help 'globalise
solidarity and justice'.
Pope John Paul II sent a message to the Stuttgart event saying that
the united Europe should become open to the world and help the poor
and the underdeveloped world.
Earlier in the day, the organisers of the event told a news conference
that the first meeting in history of representatives of 175 Christian
communities and movements should not be interpreted as the start of
establishing a Christian front against Islam, It should rather be seen
as the start of the creation of a new community on the Old Continent
united in peace, tolerance and spiritual and social values promoted by
many Christian movements and communities.
The meeting was attended by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip
Bozanic, in his capacity as Vice-President of the Council of European
Bishops' Conferences.
(Hina) ms