Message of Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, to the Pan-European Conference on ‘Values and Principles for building of Europe’, Athens, 4-6 May 2003.

Your All-Holiness, Beatitudes, Eminences, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Christ is Risen!

It is symbolic to be gathering here in Athens to explore the vision and values for Europe, where the legend of Europa first gave name to our continent. It is significant, too, that it is here in Greece, both source of Western culture and part of the Eastern Christian world, that the Treaty confirming European enlargement to the East was signed last month.

This new chapter in European integration signifies in many respects the end of a ‘long decade’ following the extraordinary events of 1989, and closing the ‘short’ 20th century, which erupted in the conflagration of 1914. This was a violent century, unparalleled in human history. It was the century in which paganism in its fascist and in its communist forms have both caused profound damage to human beings and to the structure of whole societies, in Europe and beyond. Millions have perished in conflict, holocaust, and the Gulag. Many have joined the list of Christian martyrs. Without God, all is permitted.

The vision of modern European unity was born out of this context of violence. The founders of Europe were inspired by the hope of an alternative, just human society, and modern Europe has been at the heart of much of the extraordinary social, political and creative development of the post-war world. The momentous events of the last decade mark an end to the partitioned Europe of Yalta, and offer the real hope of a new and inclusive community from Iceland to the Caspian – and beyond. But this new stage of European integration may also see the emergence of new divisions. Healing of memories and reconciliation of peoples are still much needed.

The recent experience of European history teaches us that the vision and success of the European idea, and the viability of an international system, cannot be built on market economics alone. People and societies are transformed by belief and ideas, as well as by transactions and trade. Values and principles must be at the basis of our common efforts. New challenges are confronting human community everywhere. The post-war world order is being profoundly shaken even as we speak, and new threats of ecological destruction, and of bioethical manipulation, challenge our very notion of life. A ‘heart and soul’, a rediscovery and renewal of spirituality for Europe, are more needed then ever. The churches are called to contribute to and influence the developments, which are shaping Europe. This moment is in many ways a ‘kairos ’ for the peoples, and especially for the churches, in our region.

The ecumenical movement, and with it the World Council of Churches, were shaped by the same vision of a ‘new world’ as the founders of modern Europe, where war would ‘never again’ be permitted, and where justice, freedom and solidarity would triumph. The World Council of Churches has always understood dialogue and respect of diversity as the preconditions of peace and unity, and as a solid foundation for a democratic, inter-dependent Europe, where economic and political power serve the right to life in dignity, where differences are resolved peacefully, and where Europe takes responsibility in a globalizing world.

The schism between the Byzantine East and the Latin West, between the Orthodox and Catholic worlds, marks a fundamental rupture in European history, and a distortion of European identity. The old cultural and religious fault-lines continue to be manifested, as the recent conflicts in this south-east European region have so sharply reminded us. The continued importance of the cultural and religious divides of the Continent should not be underestimated, and the risk of simply pushing European division eastwards behind a new ‘silver curtain’ remains. New ways of bridging this divided space and memory need to be sought. The decision to include countries with a majority Orthodox population in the next stage of enlargement is therefore a welcome and essential step. European unity can only be built on a new encounter of cultures and civilizations, in which the churches will have an essential role. Only an authentic dialogue, rooted in freedom, and respecting the diversity of peoples, traditions and cultures, can resolve centuries-old divisions and unhealed wounds.

Christianity has shaped much of European history, and the contribution and responsibility of the churches and religious communities, including Judaism and Islam, in the ‘public space’ must be recognized. European Christianity may be described as a synthesis of three great converging currents – Semitic, Hellenic and Roman. A new spiritual identity is needed in Europe, drawing on these three sources, one that can heal the wounds of history and reconcile the broken memories of her peoples. But the churches in history have too often been vehicles of national interest and crucibles of conflict. Today, the churches can and must unlock their healing and appeasing power in society, and find the inner resources to witness to a new hope that can be offered to Europe. The WCC believes that churches and religious communities are an essential foundation for a moral and ethical Europe, and are vehicles of culture and identity. Churches can share an experience of unity in diversity; an experience of freedom of the individual person within the rights of the broader community; a desire for peace rooted in justice; an experience of forgiveness and reconciliation. Above all, the churches can witness to the inextinguishable hope of the Risen Christ, as source of new life, healing historical wounds, ‘overcoming death’ as we sing in the Easter Troparion during these days.

Speaking some years after World War II, the first WCC General Secretary, Dr Visser’t Hooft, spoke about the particular challenges and vision of the churches for Europe. Reminding those gathered of the need for churches to show the world ‘the other face of Europe’, he said that, ‘Europe’s true calling is to proclaim among nations that God has chosen to reign from a cross.’ May Europe find within herself and her tormented history a new force of reconciliation, freedom, hope and life which can witness to the Crucified and Resurrected Christ.