OXFORD (CNS): The Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) has urged member-states to stop “capitulating to fear and nationalism” during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Catholic aid groups demanded governments commit to a “healthier and more equitable future.”
The conference head, Jean-Claude Cardinal Hollerich of Luxembourg, noted the increase in actions of mutual support among European nations but warned European Union (EU) countries to reaffirm their “shared European responsibility,” by jointly caring for the sick and exchanging medical materials, as well as helping ease “social, economic and financial shocks” and reinforcing international cooperation.
“We gratefully commend the numerous policy actions of mutual support and encourage political decision-makers in the EU and its member-states to continue acting in a determined, transparent, empathic and democratic way.”
In an April 2 joint statement with the non-Catholic Conference of European Churches, COMECE said: “This is the time for all of us to demonstrate our joint commitment to the European project and to common European values of solidarity and unity, instead of capitulating to fear and nationalism. Let us regard this time of trial also as a time of grace and hope. Let us remain united and make our closeness felt to all, especially those in need.”
Europe’s politicians have criticised the EU for lacking coordination against the Covid-19 pandemic, which had caused tens of thousands of deaths across the trading bloc.
In a March 24 interview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Hollerich said solidarity was essential and that many EU countries had violated Christian values by “blocking their borders and making decisions only for their own people’s benefit without regard for others.”
Two pontifical academies also condemned the “selfishness and shortsightedness of uncoordinated national responses” in a March 20 statement and warned against “seeking protection through isolationism.”
Meanwhile, the Brussels-based CIDSE, the consortium of Catholic aid groups from Europe and North America, warned in an open letter that choices being made now would shape society “for years, if not decades, to come.”
It said, “This is a time to be decisive in saving lives and bold in charting a path to a genuinely healthier and more equitable future through a just recovery.” The letter was also signed by the Global Catholic Climate Movement, Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice and more than 200 ecology and human rights groups.
“As decision-makers take steps to ensure immediate relief and long-term recovery, it is imperative they consider the interrelated crises of wealth inequality, racism and ecological decline—notably the climate crisis—which were in place long before Covid-19 and now risk being intensified.”
The appeal urged governments to “put people’s health first” and “provide economic relief directly to the people,” as well as creating “millions of decent jobs” and ensuring “resilience for future crises.”
It said, “Build solidarity and community across borders—don’t empower authoritarians,” adding, “Assistance directed at specific industries must be channeled to communities and workers, not shareholders or corporate executives.”
Caritas Internationalis, has mobilised to help countries suffering due to the pandemic. In a videoconference with journalists on April 3, Aloysius John, the secretary general, said that in Italy, one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, Caritas has continued operating soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless as well as helping the elderly through a telephone hotline.
He also said similar initiatives were being mobilised in Armenia, Uganda and Ukraine.
Nevertheless, Caritas’ “main concern today is to prepare the poorer countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, to confront such massive emergency due to a sudden outbreak of the pandemic,” John said.
“The human suffering should unite us,” John told journalists. “We have a role to play, and this what we are doing, we are trying to be in solidarity with the Church and we are also getting this message across to the people here, saying that there are also people suffering with this situation. Now we know what suffering means, and I think that should bring us to more solidarity.”
