Pope urges Polish Christians to spread gospel values

(March 17, 2012) The Christian Laity, who believe in Christ and in the value systems of the gospel, cannot remain idle in the face of new situations, whether ecclesial, social, economic, political, or cultural , says Pope Benedict XVIth in his message to the 9th Gniezno Convention on the theme “Europe of Citizens. The Role and Place of Christians”, held from 16th to 18th March 2012, at Gniezno in Central Western Poland. The 9th Gniezno Convention was dedicated to the role of religion in the civil society of today’s Europe. Lectures, debates, discussions and workshops held during Gniezno Convention created the opportunity to consider the role of religion in creating social capital in contemporary Europe and Christians’ involvement in building civil society. This papal message was conveyed by Vatican’s Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone. The restored Gniezno Conventions have become a meeting place of Christians from Central and Eastern Europe who, through lectures, debates, workshops, and prayers express their responsibility for the future of our continent. Meetings are ecumenical and inter-religious, open also to non-belivers.