.- Yesterday,
Vienna’s Cardinal Christof Schönborn inaugurated an international
symposium to discuss the growing rift between the two shores of the
Atlantic, stressing that the United States and Europe both need to
listen to criticism from the other on critical cultural matters.
“Europe, he said
during his opening speech, “should be open to critical voices that are
raised against [them] from the United Sates.”
Cardinal
Schonborn--who himself called for the symposium--recalled his own
gratitude for the liberation of Austria by the Americans in 1945. He
then stressed the “common Christian roots of both continents,” saying
that “An essential difference between Europe and the U.S. would be the
greater value given to the role of Christianity in the United States.”
“Today,
Europeans are hearing from the Muslims living in their midst, that
religion is not only for private, but also has its place on the Public
square,” the cardinal said, reminding his listeners of the words of
former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to the German President: “If
you want dialogue, then you should recognize your roots, otherwise no
dialogue is possible.”
“We have been
witnessing for a long time the growing divide between Europe and the
United States. What can be done to stop this?” the cardinal asked.
The prelate also
mentioned an article from writer and columnist George Weigel titled
“Europe’s Problem-and ours” published in 2004 in ‘First Things’, a
Catholic monthly review.
In it, he
stressed the ironic turn that European’s integration progress has
taken, accompanied by a loss of power and of identity. He likewise
pointed to Europe’s rejection of its Christian roots, giving way to a
hedonistic secularized society.
Weigel, who is
also present at the symposium, said Thursday said that “Europe is on
the brink of committing ‘Demographical Suicide’, which threatens the
pension system. It’s about something deeper. The soul of Europe is
penetrated by ‘the Dictatorship of Relativism,’ as Pope Benedict XVI
said.”
Other symposium
participants included French philosopher Remi Brague, who voiced his
skepticism for a genuine dialogue with Islam, and also criticized a
certain perception of modernism, which he said can be witnessed in
Spain, which has one the lowest birth rates in the world.
Law philosopher
Joseph Weiler was also on hand and expressed his great concern for
Europe’s future. “Europe doesn’t need a new constitution. What keeps me
worried is rather the demoralization of Society. The participation in
elections has been strongly reduced; it shows a lack of interest in the
European Union project.”
Other prominent
intellectuals who are scheduled to lecture during the symposium are
American Priest and Writer Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, former Polish
Ambassador in Austria Irena Lipowicz, Italian Senate president Marcello
Pera, and Law researcher Lord Daniel Brennan among others. The
symposium will be held in Vienna, at the Archbishop’s Palace until
Saturday.
This evening,
Weigel will give a lecture discussing, "Politics and God: Thoughts on
the Democratic Future in the Twenty-First century."
Europe, America need to listen to each other, says Cardinal Schonborn during historic symposium
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