Holy Father calls Europe to recover its true identity

Rome, 18 (NE - eclesiales.org) In his habitual message to the pilgrims before the Angelus prayer in Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father insisted once more this Sunday in the theme of Europe's Christian identity. The Holy Father began his words making a reference to the solemnity of the Assumption, celebrated yesterday, recalling the words of the Lord in the Apocalypse: "Behold, I make all things new". "In the Apocalypse -explained the Holy Father- the Gospel of Hope echoes vigorously, what does not urge to receive the 'novelty of God', scatological gift that goes beyond all human possibility, and that only He can do. This 'novelty' will be totally fulfilled in the end of times, but is already present in the history. Since now, in fact, God is renewing and transforming the world, and the perceptible reflections of His action are also 'in every form of human relation encouraged by the Gospel'".

About this theme, he turned his look to the European Continent, "that for two millenniums has been listening to the Gospel of the kingdom inaugurated by Jesus", and "cannot deny to be interpelated by this 'novelty'". "The Christian faith has given its form, -continues explaining the Holy Father- and some of its fundamental values have inspired thereafter 'the democratic ideal and the human rights' of European modernity. More than 'a geographical place', Europe is 'a predominantly cultural and historic concept', being characterized as Continent thanks only to the unifying force of Christianity, that has known to integrate the different towns and cultures by itself ".

Standing before the undeniable "crisis of values" Europe is facing "in these our times", the Holy Father marked again the need of "recovering its true identity". He explained that "the process of enlargement of the European Union to other countries cannot consider only geographical and economical aspects, but should be translated in a renewed agreement of values that must be expressed in the right and life".

The Pontifical concluded his words with a call to pray "to the Holy Virgin, venerated in so many European sanctuaries, so she may help the Continent to be always conscious of its own spiritual vocation and to contribute to the construction of solidarity and peace 'inside its bounds and all over world' ".

Archbishop Charles Chaput named by President Bush for the International Commission for Religious Liberty

Denver, 18 (NE - eclesiales.org) The Archbishop of Denver, archbishop Charles Chaput, was named by the president Bush for the North American Commission for the International Religious Liberty by a period of one year. As reported by the Archdiocese of Denver, the Commission is a governmental organ created by the Certificate of International Religious Liberty in 1998 to monitor the religious liberty in the different countries and to advise the President how to promote it best.

It is not the first time that a Catholic Bishop is named for the charge. In fact, archbishop Chaput, regarding its assignment, affirmed that "is a privilege to follow Cardinal McCarrick and bishop Murphy in the Commission to build on what they have already done during their service", being referred their two ancestors in the charge, respectively Archbishop of Washington and Bishop of Rockville Centre, the former, in charge from 1999 to 2001 and the latter from 2001 to 2003.

After the announcement, made public last Wednesday, the Archbishop also said that "liberty of religion is one of the most basic human rights. It is also the most severe and brutally right violated in many countries in the world. Because of it I appreciate President Bush for this assignment, and I am very grateful for doing whatever I can to promote the people's right of giving worship according to their own convictions".

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