European bishops discuss secularization, church's role in Europe

Published: 2008-07-01

COVADONGA, Spain (CNS) -- Disappointed with the emptiness of secular values and materialism, European youths are expressing openness to religion while rediscovering the goodness of God, said the secretary-general of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences. Even as the trend evolves, however, the "spread of aggressive humanist atheism" remains highly visible in the media and other public venues, Msgr. Aldo Giordano said in a July 1 statement released after the close of the council's annual five-day meeting in Covadonga. Msgr. Giordano also acknowledged the waning influence of Christian values in Europe. "It is clear that we are no longer a Christian society, but there is a great opportunity to proclaim the Christian vision of reality," he said. The June 26-30 meeting, which included representatives from 35 bishops' conferences, focused on the secularization of Europe, the evangelical and pastoral role of the church and the activity of the participating conferences, according to a statement from the Spanish bishops' conference.

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