Madrid Cardinal says religion is greatest unifying factor in Europe

Madrid, May. 31, 2006 - In an interview for a new book on Europe since the end of the Cold War, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco of Madrid has stated that “religion is the greatest unifying factor in Europe, and the Catholic Church is the greatest unifying phenomenon in the European Union.”

According to the cardinal, the cultural and educational values of Europe all have Catholic underpinnings and therefore have enormous unifying force. “A living Christianity and a young and committed Catholic Church would be an invaluable and irreplaceable contribution to the future of the European Union. It would be a sort of religious, ethical and spiritual roadmap,” he said.

Cardinal Rouco said European Catholicism is one of the most “positive” challenges of Pope Benedict XVI. “After the collapse of the wall a Catholic world with a strong presence has emerged in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Ukraine, Romania and also somewhat in the Balkans. John Paul II was decisive in encouraging and nurturing the new youth movements” to bring the hope of renewal to the Catholic faith throughout Europe. Now, the cardinal said, Benedict XVI “has a challenge with an excellent future.”

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