(07 Sept 07 - RV ) Here we publish the full text of Pope Benedict XVI's address to
diplomats in Vienna, Austria.
APOSTOLIC VISIT TO AUSTRIA
Address
of the Holy Father Meeting with the Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps Vienna,
Hofburg Friday, 7 September 2007
Mr President of the Federal
Republic, Mr President of the National Council, Mr Chancellor, Members of
the Federal Government, Deputies to the National Council and Members of the
Federal Council, Presidents of the Provinces, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Introduction
It is my great joy and honour
to meet you today, Mr President, together with the members of the Federal Government
and representatives of the political and civic life of the Republic of Austria. Our
meeting here in the Hofburg reflects the good relations, marked by reciprocal trust,
which exist between your country and the Holy See. For this I am most pleased.
Relations
between Austria and the Holy See are part of that vast network of diplomatic relations
in which Vienna serves as an important crossroads, inasmuch as a number of international
Organizations have their headquarters in this city. I am pleased by the presence
of many diplomatic representatives, whom I greet with respect. I thank you, distinguished
Ambassadors, for your dedicated service, not only to the countries which you represent
and to their interests, but also to the common cause of peace and understanding between
peoples.
This is my first visit as Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pastor of the
universal Catholic Church to this country, which I know well from many earlier visits.
It is – may I say – a joy for me to be here. I have many friends here and, as a Bavarian
neighbour, Austria’s way of life and traditions are entirely familiar to me. My great
predecessor of blessed memory, Pope John Paul II, visited Austria three times. Each
time he was received most cordially by the people of this country, his words were
listened to attentively, and his apostolic journeys left their mark.
Austria
In
recent years and decades, Austria has registered advances which were inconceivable
even two generations ago. Your country has not only experienced significant economic
progress, but has also developed a model of social coexistence synonymous with the
term “social solidarity”. Austrians have every reason to be grateful for this, and
they have demonstrated it not only by opening their hearts to the poor and the needy
in their native land, but also by demonstrating generous solidarity in the event of
catastrophes and disasters worldwide. The great initiatives of Licht ins Dunkel
(“Light in the Darkness”) at Christmastime, and Nachbar in Not (“Neighbour
in Need”) bear eloquent testimony to this attitude.
Austria and the
expansion of the European Union
We are gathered in an historical setting,
which for centuries was the seat of an Empire uniting vast areas of Central and Eastern
Europe. This time and place offer us a good opportunity to take a far-ranging look
at today’s Europe. After the horrors of war and traumatic experiences of totalitarianism
and dictatorship, Europe is moving towards a unity capable of ensuring a lasting order
of peace and just development. The painful division which split the continent for
decades has come to an end politically, yet the goal of unity remains in great part
still to be achieved in the minds and hearts of individuals. If, after the fall of
the Iron Curtain in 1989, certain excessive hopes were disappointed, and on some points
justified criticisms can be raised about certain European institutions, the process
of unification remains a most significant achievement which has brought a period of
unwonted peace to this continent, formerly consumed by constant conflicts and fatal
fratricidal wars. For the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in particular,
participating in this process is a further incentive to the consolidation of freedom,
the constitutional state and democracy within their borders. Here I should recall
the contribution made by my predecessor, Pope John Paul II, to that historic process.
Austria too, as a bridge-country situated at the crossroads of West and East, has
contributed much to this unification and has also – we must not forget – greatly
benefited from it.
Europe
The “European home”, as we readily
refer to the community of this continent, will be a good place to live for everyone
only if it is built on a solid cultural and moral foundation of common values drawn
from our history and our traditions. Europe cannot and must not deny her Christian
roots. These represent a dynamic component of our civilization as we move forward
into the third millennium. Christianity has profoundly shaped this continent: something
clearly evident in every country, and particularly in Austria, not least from the
number of churches and important monasteries. Above all, the faith is seen in the
countless people whom in the course of history, and in our own day as well, it has
brought to a life of hope, love and mercy. Mariazell, Austria’s great national shrine,
is also a meeting-place for the different peoples of Europe. It is one of those places
where men and women have drawn, and continue to draw, “strength from on high” for
an upright life.
During these days, the witness of Christian faith at the
heart of Europe is also finding expression in the Third European Ecumenical Assembly
meeting in Sibiu/Hermannstadt (Romania), whose motto is: “The Light of Christ Shines
on All. Hope for Renewal and Unity in Europe”. One spontaneously recalls the 2004
Central European Katholikentag, on the theme: “Christ – The Hope of Europe”,
which brought so many believers together in Mariazell!
Nowadays we hear much
of the “European model of life”. The term refers to a social order marked by a sound
economy combined with social justice, by political pluralism combined with tolerance,
generosity and openness, and at the same time the preservation of the values which
have made this continent what it is. This model, under the pressure of modern economic
forces, faces a great challenge. The oft-cited process of globalization cannot be
halted, yet it is an urgent task and a great responsibility of politics to regulate
and limit globalization, so that it will not occur at the expense of the poorer nations
and of the poor in wealthier nations, and prove detrimental to future generations.
Certainly
Europe has also experienced and suffered from terribly misguided courses of action.
These have included: ideological restrictions imposed on philosophy, science and also
faith, the abuse of religion and reason for imperialistic purposes, the degradation
of man resulting from theoretical and practical materialism, and finally the degeneration
of tolerance into an indifference with no reference to permanent values. But Europe
has also been marked by a capacity for self-criticism which gives it a distinctive
place within the vast panorama of the world’s cultures.
Life
It
was in Europe that the notion of human rights was first formulated. The fundamental
human right, the presupposition of every other right, is the right to life itself.
This is true of life from the moment of conception until its natural end. Abortion,
consequently, cannot be a human right – it is the very opposite. It is “a deep wound
in society”, as the late Cardinal Franz König never tired of repeating.
In
stating this, we are not expressing a specifically ecclesial concern. Rather, we
are acting as advocates for a profoundly human need, speaking out on behalf of those
unborn children who have no voice. I do not close my eyes to the difficulties and
the conflicts which many women are experiencing, and I realize that the credibility
of what we say also depends on what the Church herself is doing to help women in trouble.
I
appeal, then, to political leaders not to allow children to be considered as a form
of illness, nor to abolish in practice your legal system’s acknowledgment that abortion
is wrong. I say this out of a concern for humanity. But that is only one side of
this disturbing problem. The other is the need to do everything possible to make
European countries once again open to welcoming children. Encourage young married
couple to establish new families and to become mothers and fathers! You will not
only assist them, but you will benefit society as a whole. We also decisively support
you in your political efforts to favour conditions enabling young couples to raise
children. Yet all this will be pointless, unless we can succeed in creating once
again in our countries a climate of joy and confidence in life, a climate in which
children are not seen as a burden, but rather as a gift for all.
Another great
concern of mine is the debate on what has been termed “actively assisted death”.
It is to be feared that at some point the gravely ill or elderly will be subjected
to tacit or even explicit pressure to request death or to administer it to themselves.
The proper response to end-of-life suffering is loving care and accompaniment on the
journey towards death – especially with the help of palliative care – and not “actively
assisted death”. But if humane accompaniment on the journey towards death is to prevail,
urgent structural reforms are needed in every area of the social and healthcare system,
as well as organized structures of palliative care. Concrete steps would also have
to be taken: in the psychological and pastoral accompaniment of the seriously ill
and dying, their family members, and physicians and healthcare personnel. In this
field the hospice movement has done wonders. The totality of these tasks, however,
cannot be delegated to it alone. Many other people need to be prepared or encouraged
in their willingness to spare neither time nor expense in loving care for the gravely
ill and dying.
The dialogue of reason
Yet another part of the
European heritage is a tradition of thought which considers as essential a substantial
correspondence between faith, truth and reason. Here the issue is whether or not
reason stands at the beginning and foundation of all things. The issue is whether
reality originates by chance and necessity, and thus whether reason is merely a chance
by-product of the irrational and, in an ocean of irrationality, it too, in the end,
is meaningless, or whether instead the underlying conviction of Christian faith remains
true: In principio erat Verbum – in the beginning was the Word; at the origin
of everything is the creative reason of God who decided to make himself known to us
human beings.
In this context, permit me to quote Jürgen Habermas, a philosopher
not of the Christian faith: “For the normative self-understanding of the modern period
Christianity has been more than a mere catalyst. The egalitarian universalism which
gave rise to the ideas of freedom and social coexistence, is a direct inheritance
from the Jewish notion of justice and the Christian ethics of love. Substantially
unchanged, this heritage has always been critically reappropriated and newly interpreted.
To this day an alternative to it does not exist”.
Europe’s tasks in the
world
Given the uniqueness of its calling, Europe also has a unique responsibility
in the world. First of all, it must not give up on itself. The continent which,
demographically, is rapidly aging, must not become old in spirit. Furthermore, Europe
will grow more sure of itself if it accepts a responsibility in the world corresponding
to its singular intellectual tradition, its extraordinary resources and its great
economic power. The European Union should therefore assume a role of leadership in
the fight against global poverty and in efforts to promote peace. With gratitude
we can observe that the countries of Europe and the European Union are among those
making the greatest contribution to international development, but they also need
to make their political importance felt, for example, with regard to the urgent challenges
presented in Africa, given the immense tragedies afflicting that continent, such as
the scourge of AIDS, the situation in Darfur, the unjust exploitation of natural resources
and the disturbing traffic in arms. Nor can the political and diplomatic efforts
of Europe and its countries neglect the continuing serious situation in the Middle
East, where everyone’s contribution is needed to promote the rejection of violence,
reciprocal dialogue and a truly peaceful coexistence. Europe’s relationship with
the nations of Latin America and Asia must also continue to grow through suitable
trade agreements. Conclusion
Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Austria is a country which is greatly blessed: by an immense natural beauty which
attracts millions of holiday-makers each year; unique cultural treasures, created
and amassed by many generations; and many artistically talented and creative individuals.
Everywhere one can see the fruits of the diligence and gifts of industrious men and
women. This is a reason for pride and gratitude. But Austria is certainly not an
“enchanted island” nor does it consider itself such. Self-criticism is always a good
thing, and, of course, is also widespread in Austria. A country which has received
so much must also give much. It can be rightly self-assured, while also sensing the
need for a certain responsibility with regard to neighbouring countries, in Europe
and in the world.
Much of what Austria is and possesses, it owes to the Christian
faith and its beneficial effects on individual men and women. The faith has profoundly
shaped the character of this country and its people. Consequently it should be everyone’s
concern to ensure that the day will never come when only its stones speak of Christianity!
An Austria without a vibrant Christian faith would no longer be Austria.
Upon
you and all the people of Austria, especially the elderly and infirm, as well as the
young whose lives lie ahead of them, I invoke hope, confidence, joy and God’s blessings! APOSTOLIC
VISIT TO AUSTRIA
Address of the Holy Father Meeting with the Authorities
and the Diplomatic Corps Vienna, Hofburg Friday, 7 September 2007
Mr
President of the Federal Republic, Mr President of the National Council, Mr
Chancellor, Members of the Federal Government, Deputies to the National Council
and Members of the Federal Council, Presidents of the Provinces, Members of
the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introduction
It
is my great joy and honour to meet you today, Mr President, together with the members
of the Federal Government and representatives of the political and civic life of the
Republic of Austria. Our meeting here in the Hofburg reflects the good relations,
marked by reciprocal trust, which exist between your country and the Holy See. For
this I am most pleased.
Relations between Austria and the Holy See are part
of that vast network of diplomatic relations in which Vienna serves as an important
crossroads, inasmuch as a number of international Organizations have their headquarters
in this city. I am pleased by the presence of many diplomatic representatives, whom
I greet with respect. I thank you, distinguished Ambassadors, for your dedicated service,
not only to the countries which you represent and to their interests, but also to
the common cause of peace and understanding between peoples.
This is my first
visit as Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pastor of the universal Catholic Church to this
country, which I know well from many earlier visits. It is – may I say – a joy for
me to be here. I have many friends here and, as a Bavarian neighbour, Austria’s way
of life and traditions are entirely familiar to me. My great predecessor of blessed
memory, Pope John Paul II, visited Austria three times. Each time he was received
most cordially by the people of this country, his words were listened to attentively,
and his apostolic journeys left their mark.
Austria
In recent
years and decades, Austria has registered advances which were inconceivable even two
generations ago. Your country has not only experienced significant economic progress,
but has also developed a model of social coexistence synonymous with the term “social
solidarity”. Austrians have every reason to be grateful for this, and they have demonstrated
it not only by opening their hearts to the poor and the needy in their native land,
but also by demonstrating generous solidarity in the event of catastrophes and disasters
worldwide. The great initiatives of Licht ins Dunkel (“Light in the Darkness”)
at Christmastime, and Nachbar in Not (“Neighbour in Need”) bear eloquent testimony
to this attitude.
Austria and the expansion of the European Union
We
are gathered in an historical setting, which for centuries was the seat of an Empire
uniting vast areas of Central and Eastern Europe. This time and place offer us a
good opportunity to take a far-ranging look at today’s Europe. After the horrors
of war and traumatic experiences of totalitarianism and dictatorship, Europe is moving
towards a unity capable of ensuring a lasting order of peace and just development.
The painful division which split the continent for decades has come to an end politically,
yet the goal of unity remains in great part still to be achieved in the minds and
hearts of individuals. If, after the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, certain excessive
hopes were disappointed, and on some points justified criticisms can be raised about
certain European institutions, the process of unification remains a most significant
achievement which has brought a period of unwonted peace to this continent, formerly
consumed by constant conflicts and fatal fratricidal wars. For the countries of Central
and Eastern Europe in particular, participating in this process is a further incentive
to the consolidation of freedom, the constitutional state and democracy within their
borders. Here I should recall the contribution made by my predecessor, Pope John
Paul II, to that historic process. Austria too, as a bridge-country situated at the
crossroads of West and East, has contributed much to this unification and has also
– we must not forget – greatly benefited from it.
Europe
The
“European home”, as we readily refer to the community of this continent, will be a
good place to live for everyone only if it is built on a solid cultural and moral
foundation of common values drawn from our history and our traditions. Europe cannot
and must not deny her Christian roots. These represent a dynamic component of our
civilization as we move forward into the third millennium. Christianity has profoundly
shaped this continent: something clearly evident in every country, and particularly
in Austria, not least from the number of churches and important monasteries. Above
all, the faith is seen in the countless people whom in the course of history, and
in our own day as well, it has brought to a life of hope, love and mercy. Mariazell,
Austria’s great national shrine, is also a meeting-place for the different peoples
of Europe. It is one of those places where men and women have drawn, and continue
to draw, “strength from on high” for an upright life.
During these days, the
witness of Christian faith at the heart of Europe is also finding expression in the
Third European Ecumenical Assembly meeting in Sibiu/Hermannstadt (Romania),
whose motto is: “The Light of Christ Shines on All. Hope for Renewal and Unity in
Europe”. One spontaneously recalls the 2004 Central European Katholikentag,
on the theme: “Christ – The Hope of Europe”, which brought so many believers together
in Mariazell!
Nowadays we hear much of the “European model of life”. The
term refers to a social order marked by a sound economy combined with social justice,
by political pluralism combined with tolerance, generosity and openness, and at the
same time the preservation of the values which have made this continent what it is.
This model, under the pressure of modern economic forces, faces a great challenge.
The oft-cited process of globalization cannot be halted, yet it is an urgent task
and a great responsibility of politics to regulate and limit globalization, so that
it will not occur at the expense of the poorer nations and of the poor in wealthier
nations, and prove detrimental to future generations.
Certainly Europe has
also experienced and suffered from terribly misguided courses of action. These have
included: ideological restrictions imposed on philosophy, science and also faith,
the abuse of religion and reason for imperialistic purposes, the degradation of man
resulting from theoretical and practical materialism, and finally the degeneration
of tolerance into an indifference with no reference to permanent values. But Europe
has also been marked by a capacity for self-criticism which gives it a distinctive
place within the vast panorama of the world’s cultures.
Life
It
was in Europe that the notion of human rights was first formulated. The fundamental
human right, the presupposition of every other right, is the right to life itself.
This is true of life from the moment of conception until its natural end. Abortion,
consequently, cannot be a human right – it is the very opposite. It is “a deep wound
in society”, as the late Cardinal Franz König never tired of repeating.
In
stating this, we are not expressing a specifically ecclesial concern. Rather, we
are acting as advocates for a profoundly human need, speaking out on behalf of those
unborn children who have no voice. I do not close my eyes to the difficulties and
the conflicts which many women are experiencing, and I realize that the credibility
of what we say also depends on what the Church herself is doing to help women in trouble.
I
appeal, then, to political leaders not to allow children to be considered as a form
of illness, nor to abolish in practice your legal system’s acknowledgment that abortion
is wrong. I say this out of a concern for humanity. But that is only one side of
this disturbing problem. The other is the need to do everything possible to make
European countries once again open to welcoming children. Encourage young married
couple to establish new families and to become mothers and fathers! You will not
only assist them, but you will benefit society as a whole. We also decisively support
you in your political efforts to favour conditions enabling young couples to raise
children. Yet all this will be pointless, unless we can succeed in creating once
again in our countries a climate of joy and confidence in life, a climate in which
children are not seen as a burden, but rather as a gift for all.
Another great
concern of mine is the debate on what has been termed “actively assisted death”.
It is to be feared that at some point the gravely ill or elderly will be subjected
to tacit or even explicit pressure to request death or to administer it to themselves.
The proper response to end-of-life suffering is loving care and accompaniment on the
journey towards death – especially with the help of palliative care – and not “actively
assisted death”. But if humane accompaniment on the journey towards death is to prevail,
urgent structural reforms are needed in every area of the social and healthcare system,
as well as organized structures of palliative care. Concrete steps would also have
to be taken: in the psychological and pastoral accompaniment of the seriously ill
and dying, their family members, and physicians and healthcare personnel. In this
field the hospice movement has done wonders. The totality of these tasks, however,
cannot be delegated to it alone. Many other people need to be prepared or encouraged
in their willingness to spare neither time nor expense in loving care for the gravely
ill and dying.
The dialogue of reason
Yet another part of the
European heritage is a tradition of thought which considers as essential a substantial
correspondence between faith, truth and reason. Here the issue is whether or not
reason stands at the beginning and foundation of all things. The issue is whether
reality originates by chance and necessity, and thus whether reason is merely a chance
by-product of the irrational and, in an ocean of irrationality, it too, in the end,
is meaningless, or whether instead the underlying conviction of Christian faith remains
true: In principio erat Verbum – in the beginning was the Word; at the origin
of everything is the creative reason of God who decided to make himself known to us
human beings.
In this context, permit me to quote Jürgen Habermas, a philosopher
not of the Christian faith: “For the normative self-understanding of the modern period
Christianity has been more than a mere catalyst. The egalitarian universalism which
gave rise to the ideas of freedom and social coexistence, is a direct inheritance
from the Jewish notion of justice and the Christian ethics of love. Substantially
unchanged, this heritage has always been critically reappropriated and newly interpreted.
To this day an alternative to it does not exist”.
Europe’s tasks in the
world
Given the uniqueness of its calling, Europe also has a unique responsibility
in the world. First of all, it must not give up on itself. The continent which,
demographically, is rapidly aging, must not become old in spirit. Furthermore, Europe
will grow more sure of itself if it accepts a responsibility in the world corresponding
to its singular intellectual tradition, its extraordinary resources and its great
economic power. The European Union should therefore assume a role of leadership in
the fight against global poverty and in efforts to promote peace. With gratitude
we can observe that the countries of Europe and the European Union are among those
making the greatest contribution to international development, but they also need
to make their political importance felt, for example, with regard to the urgent challenges
presented in Africa, given the immense tragedies afflicting that continent, such as
the scourge of AIDS, the situation in Darfur, the unjust exploitation of natural resources
and the disturbing traffic in arms. Nor can the political and diplomatic efforts
of Europe and its countries neglect the continuing serious situation in the Middle
East, where everyone’s contribution is needed to promote the rejection of violence,
reciprocal dialogue and a truly peaceful coexistence. Europe’s relationship with
the nations of Latin America and Asia must also continue to grow through suitable
trade agreements.
Conclusion
Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Austria is a country which is greatly blessed: by an immense natural beauty which
attracts millions of holiday-makers each year; unique cultural treasures, created
and amassed by many generations; and many artistically talented and creative individuals.
Everywhere one can see the fruits of the diligence and gifts of industrious men and
women. This is a reason for pride and gratitude. But Austria is certainly not an
“enchanted island” nor does it consider itself such. Self-criticism is always a good
thing, and, of course, is also widespread in Austria. A country which has received
so much must also give much. It can be rightly self-assured, while also sensing the
need for a certain responsibility with regard to neighbouring countries, in Europe
and in the world.
Much of what Austria is and possesses, it owes to the Christian
faith and its beneficial effects on individual men and women. The faith has profoundly
shaped the character of this country and its people. Consequently it should be everyone’s
concern to ensure that the day will never come when only its stones speak of Christianity!
An Austria without a vibrant Christian faith would no longer be Austria.
Upon
you and all the people of Austria, especially the elderly and infirm, as well as the
young whose lives lie ahead of them, I invoke hope, confidence, joy and God’s blessings!