States. Yesterday he was at Catholic University of American, in Washington, D.C., giving a talk titled, "Christianity - Alien Presence or Foundation of the West?" It can watched in its entirety via the CUA website. The school also posted a report of the event, which included some highlights from the speech:“I see the situation of Christianity in Europe rather exciting and full of opportunities,” Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, O.P., said in a Feb. 3 appearance before an overflow crowd at the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.Read the entire piece.
“Christianity’s place in Europe is paradoxical,” said the cardinal, who also serves as president of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference. While Christianity has begun to play a secondary role in public life, he said, “Christianity is not obsolete in a continent that still has ample spiritual resources. There is a new desire (by people) that turns at least sometimes explicitly toward Christianity.”
While Christianity might seem foreign in a modern world, he said, “it still evokes a feeling of home to many. Europe has a constantly increasing number of people who, after living a fully secular lifestyle, find a way back home” to the Christian faith.
A leading intellectual in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Schönborn focused his hour-long address on whether Christianity is an alien presence in Europe or whether it is the foundation of the continent.
“My answer,” he said, “is that it is both. On the one hand, Christianity is Europe’s roots. On the other hand, these roots are more and more forgotten, ignored, and in an alarming way. Christianity is for many a foreign element in a world determined by reason, enlightenment and democratic principles.”
The cardinal said he believes that Europe, and the Western World, will not survive without Christianity. Europe can only play its role in the world conscience if it retains Christianity as part of its identity, he added.
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While focusing his remarks on his home continent, Cardinal Schönborn, declared: “What is relevant for Europe is also relevant for the United States and vice versa. I’m convinced we must work together in our responsibilities as Christians here and there.”
He ended his remarks with an observation about the United States and a plea. “For the Catholic Church, you are a country of great hope. … There is a true renewal of Catholic commitment in this country, and this gives us great hope. I hope you do not forget in your prayers good old mother Europe.”
Books by Cardinal Schönborn published in English by Ignatius Press:
• God Sent His Son: Christology (forthcoming as of this posting)
• Chance or Purpose? Creation, Evolution, and a Rational Faith
• Behold, God's Son! Enountering Christ in the Gospel of Mark
• Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (co-author with Cardinal Ratzinger)
• God's Human Face: The Christ Icon
• From Death to Life: The Christian Journey
• Living the Catechism of the Catholic Church, vol 1
• Living the Catechism of the Catholic Church, vol 2
• Living the Catechism of the Catholic Church, vol 3
• Living the Catechism of the Catholic Church, vol 4
• Loving the Church: Retreat to John Paul II and the Papal Household