FRENCH AND GERMAN
BISHOPS RECALL ELYSEE TREATY AND ASK FOR MORE SOLIDARITY IN EUROPE
The Elysee Treaty - A model for reconciliation
Vatican City, 18
January 2013 (VIS) – Today, the French and German Bishops' Conferences published a joint
declaration marking the 50th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty, signed on 22
January 1963 by General Charles de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to
seal the reconciliation between the two opposing nations after the Second World
War. On 8 July 1962, both heads of state attended a Mass of reconciliation in
the French cathedral of Rheims.
The declaration stressed the friendship
between the two peoples and, reflecting on the peace gained at such a high
price, extended a call for understanding in facing Europe's present and future.
The Elysee Treaty Anniversary
"Simultaneously, the Elysee
Treaty," the text reads, "was the height of the reconciliation
between the two enemy nations and the starting point for the deepening of
friendly relations through political and social contact at all levels. As
bishops, we warmly embrace everything gained in the signing of the 'Treaty of
Friendship'. Today, Franco-German friendship seems obvious and neither
politicians nor citizens have a feeling for the exceptional nature of these
relations. And yet, the friendship between our two countries and peoples is now
more important than ever for overcoming the current crisis and for shaping the
future of Europe. …"
"The crisis has revealed
irresponsible behaviour in various areas and has sorely tested the solidarity
between the European countries. Solidarity and responsibility must be more
closely connected to the future of Europe. In this regard, the Franco-German
reconciliation remains an example of political responsibility and
solidarity."
At the Mass of reconciliation in the
cathedral of Rheims, Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle "symbolized the
awareness that politics is built upon foundations that it cannot build itself.
Love for one's enemies is a strong Gospel demand that the two statesmen were
capable of carrying out. Since then, the European Union has brought peace and
prosperity to its countries. With the economic crisis, however, we see that contempt
and mistrust between the European nations are reappearing: the rejection of
foreigners, the absence of solidarity. The global economy and the cultural and
religious mixture have given rise to other enemies. All over Europe, populist
movements advocating withdrawal into self interests are flourishing. The
economic crisis reveals a moral crisis, where the meaning of life no longer
forms part of relationship with others or the demands of justice."
France and Germany "can and must
return to the history of their reconciliation and friendship in order to face
the consequences of our current problems. We can also draw inspiration from the
past in order to help the European Union establish long-term, solid political
structures and an authentic social market economy. We must act to ensure that
the respect for human dignity, the common good, and the principles of
solidarity and subsidiarity always guide European integration."
The Church also celebrates the 50th
anniversary of the Elysee Treaty as "an opportunity to recall,
particularly for the youngest generations, that reconciliation is not an empty
word but an actual path."
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