12 October 2003

NEWS

Archbishop Christodoulos meets with Pat Cox, addresses EPP Eurodeputies

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos on Wednesday said ''I hope that we will work together, to confirm that Europe is not a space but a culture''.

Speaking to the Eurodeputies of the European Peoples' Party (EPP) here, Archbishop Christodoulos referred indirectly to the prospect of Turkey's accession to the European Union, saying ''it is very important what you will do with the countries that want to enter the EU, but do not belong to our civilization''.

''If you institute a special relationship, prescribing the widest possible cooperation with these countries, but keep them outside the boundaries of the EU, you will exhibit the prudence our civilization demands,'' he added.

''An EU that will include countries of the south and eastern Mediterranean will be a historical farce,'' the Greek prelate said.

Speaking of the form of government, Archbishop Christodoulos underlined that ''the Orthodox Church has no opinion on the form of governance, nor in the ways of governance of the people, but it is always wishing for peace and always supports those in need and the weak''.

He, however, expressed his dissatisfaction over the lack of the mentioning of Christianity in the European draft Constitution, saying that the Church of Greece had requested that along with Christianity, Greek culture and the Roman understanding of the rule of law should have been noted. ''The inability to note (the aforementioned) in the Constitution of Europe, in the foundations of the European world is the first really unpleasant new element in the history of the EU,'' Archbishop Christodoulos stressed. He added that such action should have been self-evident, questioning whether there is fear that the political leadership may admit whom it is representing.

Archbishop Christodoulos also tabled the same issue during his talks with Europarliament President Pat Cox, stressing to him that although there is mention of Christian values in the draft Constitution, such as respect for human rights and tolerance of differences, there is no mention of their source.

He added that this is an issue, among others, that is also one to be decided by those responsible for the Constitution, on which are really the roots of European civilization and noted that he will work hard for specific reference in the Constitution.

On his part, Cox took a stance favoring a specific reference of the Christian roots of Europe in the prelude of the European Constitution.

Christodoulos declared his satisfaction over article 51 of the draft Constitution, which recognizes the legal status of churches in the EU and noted that through this article there can be effective protection for the special status of the Mt. Athos monastic community.

Christodoulos holds press conference in Brussels closing five day visit

During a press conference at the end of a five-day visit in Brussels, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos said that he could not answer Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' invitation to visit Istanbul and resolve differences that arose between the Church of Greece and the Patriarchate recently, since such decision has to be taken after the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Greek Church on Thursday.

The Archbishop also spoke of the European Union and the warm welcome he felt that he was treated to, during his visit here and he spoke in detail of the presence of the Greek Church in the Balkans, the Middle East, Afghanistan and elsewhere, providing aid to the peoples of those regions.

In an unrelated development, Christodoulos met with European Commissioner Michael Barnier, with whom he discussed programs the Greek Church drafted in hopes of gaining funding from the European Union, which as he said were discussed with and initially approved by Simitis, but later remained inactive at the national economy ministry. ''I requested the help of Mr. Barnier to release (the funding) from the ministry,'' Christodoulos said.

During this fifth day of his visit here, Christodoulos also met with Viviane Reding, Commissioner of Culture, and Javier Solana, European Union high representative on issues of defense and foreign affairs.

Europarliament Art Exhibition Focuses on Virgin Mary

Contemporary sculptures and paintings of the Virgin Mary are on display in an exhibition at the European Parliament headquarters, to celebrate John Paul II's silver anniversary.

The exhibition, entitled "The Virgin in Contemporary Art," contains the work of 24 artists. The initiative of Antonio Tajani, vice president of the European Popular Party, is on display on the first floor of the Parliament's building. The organizers said that the exhibition aims to highlight the profound Christian roots of the continent, the Italian newspaper Avvenire reported.

From Oct. 14 to Nov. 20, the exhibition will be on display in Rome's Pantheon, so that pilgrims who will attend the celebrations for John Paul II’s 25th anniversary and for Mother Teresa’s beatification can view it.

Among the artworks are the images of Giacomo Manzy's "Virgin of Poverty," presented in the form of a crown and highlighting various moments of Mary's life. There are several representations of the Sorrowful Mother, such as Carlo Carra's "Mother Most Sweet" in pastel.
There are representations of the "Mother and Child," as in the work of Hermann Albert, and Mimmo Paladino's "Virgin with Child," a modern icon. Among the sculptures is Emilio Greco's "Dormition" (1983). In Brussels, a print of Salvador Dali to illustrate the Bible is being exhibited, while in Rome the Spanish artist's 1960 painting "The Annunciation" will be displayed, on loan from the Vatican Museums.

The European flag, in fact, is inspired in the iconography of the Virgin Mary. It was designed by Catholic artist Arsene Heitz, who submitted his design to the public competition called by the European Council in 1950. Heitz was inspired by the 12 stars of the Miraculous Medal of the Rue de Bac in Paris, placing them on a blue background.

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