Lisbon (Fides Service) - Europe is fragmented, oblivious of God, dominated by the idolatry of power and possession, according to a statement at the conclusion of the National Mission Days event in Lisbon which this year reflected on the theme Mission and Europe of the Future”. In this new millennium, the statement says, we must help “Europe, which has in Christianity the forger of its unity albeit in the diversity of its cultural values, open to the values of Christianity against dominant secularism, rediscover the utopia of the Gospel, a sense of holiness and mystical contemplation in order to build a continent which is more”.
The statement underlines that the migratory phenomenon towards Europe of many peoples - undeniable today - “is part of its cultural heritage”. However, it means Europe must face the following challenges: “frank dialogue between different cultures, respect for values and identity of others; hospitality and acceptance on the part of Christians; respect for human rights and the legitimate aspirations of individuals and peoples”.
“Inculturating the faith in Europe means opening spaces for transmitting the faith, launching programmes to revitalise Christianity in the cultural spaces of our societies” the statement says, adding that evangelisation must accompany every age group with creative and suitable pedagogy. In this regard the statement says “the Church must call on qualified persons to offer her contribution of Christian illumination in the field of science, music and art”. Lastly, with regard to the contribution of young Churches for mission in Europe, the statement says “young Churches can help revitalise Europe through an exchange of missionaries, sharing apostolic experiences and with their own special cultural values. Privileged spaces for this communion include voluntary work, lay missionary activity, sending of missionaries, cooperation, immigration, interreligious dialogue and peaceful co-existence”.
The statement ends by saying that the Mission Days, which brought together about 500 participants including 170 young people, offered “a vivid experience of an inter-cultural gathering” and it encourages Christian communities to live intensely the missionary Month of October and to take part in two initiatives in Lisbon: Congress on ‘New Evangelisation in Cities’ and a European Youth Meeting organised by the Community of Taizé. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2004; Righe 29, Parole 384)