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arena.
POWERFUL
new
thrust is be ing
introduced by the
Vat ican into the
European political
The world's press has almost
totally overlooked its signifi–
cance. Many bishops-and even
cardinals- of the Roman Cath–
olic Church have not fully
grasped its importance.
Yet it may well be the
biggest
news o[
the 1980s!
That new thrust is a papal com–
m itment-a "mis-
sion"-to
UNITE
Eu -
subsequently have troubled the
Church. Differences among
Church traditionalists, conserva–
tives, progressivists and radicals
tear at the fabric of tbe papacy.
As Pope Paul VI himself
augured, somewhat cryptically,
when he neared death, "The Devil
has entered the Church, there is
smoke around the altar."
Many even in tbe upper echelons
Ahead...
Europe, 1ike the Catholic
Church, is weakened by division.
And both prelates and politicians
alike realize that a house divided
against itself
cannot stand.
In the face of this division, voices
within both European political cir–
cles and the Catholic Church are
appealing for
UNITY.
But
how
is that elusive unity to
be achieved? How are the rifts to
be healed-both within the Church
and within Europe itself?
The record of the recent past
does not augur well for the future.
On a purely political basis, the
nations of Europe have been unable
to unite. The Euro–
ROPE
religiously and
politically!
The stage is being
set for far - reacbing
changes- the most
momentous in the
history of Europe
since the Protestant
Reformation!
An lnstitution Beset
With T roubles
RELIGIOUS
UNITY
OFEUROPE
pean Economic Com–
munity (EEC) or
Common Market has
largely failed in its
goa l of bringing
about increased polit–
ica l unity among
member nations. The
slow process of
grad–
ual
strengthening of
the EEC's political
institutions has sim-
Over the past two
decades the authority and unity of
the Catholic Church have been
severely shaken. Beneath the ve–
neer of public enthusiasm and
admiration so apparent during
papal journeys abroad líes a seri–
ously fragmented institution. The
Pope is widely admired- but not
always obeyed.
Jt
was the Second Yatican Coun–
cil ( 1962-1965) that opened the
ftoodgates of dissent and paved the
way for the crisis that now besets
the Catholic Church. The innova–
tive Pope John XXIII had called
for the council-a general meeting
of the bishops of the Church- to
" bring the Church up to date" and
work for spiritual renewal.
But he died and the "breath of
fresh air" he hoped would fill the
Church turned out to be a devastat–
ing whirlwind.
The festering issues of birth con–
trol, abortion , divorce, celibacy,
homosexual i ty,
wom~n
in the
priesthood, political activism of
priests, papal infallibility and dis–
tribution of ecclesiastical power
.April
1982
by
Keith W . Stump
Forces have been set
in motion t ha t will
revolution ize the
face of Europe--and
the role of the
Roman
Catholic Church!
of the Church hierarcby remain
uncertain and apprehensive-not
quite sure what comes next.
Common Need
At the same time, the continent of
Europe itself stands at an historie
crossroads.
Divided politically and ideologi–
cally and beset with increasingly
serious economic and military con–
ceros, Europe faces a potentially
explosive situation. Fears over the
future are growing among Euro–
peans.
ply not worked.
Likewise,
the
Catholic Cburcb remains philo–
sophically divided from within,
de~pite
the best efforts of unity–
minded churchmen.
Confronted with these realities,
leading European politicians and
Catholic clergymen have come to
an important realization. There is
only
one possible course
for the
future, they believe.
If
they are to salve their respec–
tive problems, Europe and the
Catholic Church
need each other's
he/p.
Their
common need
for unity
can be achieved only by
working
together.
Influential churchmen within the
Yatican have come to believe that
the only way to inspire unity and
bring new life into the Church is to
plunge it into a cause larger than
itself.
That cause, they believe, is the
unification of Europe!
Historically, the Roman Catho–
lic Church has exercised a powerful
cohesive e.ffect
on Europe, binding
the differing nationalities and cul–
tures on that continent by the tie of
a
common religion.
This, sorne
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