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Vatican City, Vatican, 1st November 2004 (CNA) -
After praying the
Angelus with the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s
Square on Sunday, Pope John Paul II stressed the need
for Europe to take into account its Christian roots was
“fundamental for future developments of the
Union.”
The Pope’s comments come
the day after Rocco Buttiglione, the Italian nominee to
the European commission, decided to withdraw from the
post after he had been rejected by a European Union
parliamentary committee for holding Catholic views on
marriage and homosexuality, which were considered
inflammatory.
"To take into account the
Christian roots of the European continent means to avail
oneself of a spiritual patrimony that remains
fundamental for future developments of the Union," said
the Pope.
"I hope that
in the years to come Christians will continue to bring
to all circles of European institutions the gospel
message that is the guarantee of peace and collaboration
between all citizens in the shared pursuit of common
good," he continued.
In an interview on
Sunday, Buttiglione, a close friend of the Holy Father,
said that anti-Christian views were the only remaining
acceptable prejudice in Europe.
"I sparked
a battle, that has only just started and will continue,"
he told Italian daily La Repubblica. "Europe is scared
of itself, of opening a discussion about what it really
is,” said Buttiglione. “Instead it swings between two
states which cannot identify it: its economy and
political correctness."
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