Czech Cardinal links Lisbon rejection with rejection of Catholicism

[Al.]

Sounds like that came from "left field", didn't it? But it really is not. The Church is really re-asserting itself politically all over the continent; the first place that it happened was Italy. Is this what everyone's in for? a revived continent-wide ecclesiocracy? [size=1]("Theocracy" would be inaccurate. And besides, the EU was the idea of those that didn't act very "Christian", i.e. according to Biblical values; the diametric opposite behaviour, in fact.)[/size]

CathNews

[size=3]Czech Cardinal warns on Europe's future[/size]

[size=1]Published: January 07, 2009[/size]

As the Czech Republic takes up the rotating presidency of the European Union, Prague Cardinal Miloslav Vlk has warned that Europe is dying out demographically and on the way to becoming markedly more Muslim.

"When the Irish said No to the Lisbon Treaty, they said it because the European Union and Lisbon Treaty have dropped the Christian roots," said Cardinal Vlk in an interview for Aktuálne.cz.

It was Christian politicians who developed the idea of unified Europe, Cardinal Vlk said. Italian politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party Alcide De Gasperi, former French Prime Minister Robert Schuman and German statesman Konrad Adenauer are regarded as founders of the European Union.

Cardinal Vlk also linked the European Union's flag to Christian values, noting that the flag was adopted on December 8, a day which celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary.

The EU flag bears a striking similarity to the image of Virgin Mary, he said.
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While European Muslims are living their religion, Europeans are "pagans, as they do not respect their religion". To face the danger of dying out, Europe needs to install a program of spiritual rehabilitation.

"If we do not restore Europe in terms of Christian values, we will surely die out," Cardinal Vlk said.

[Factorem]

Is this Cardinal lashing out against the Czech government who are the current holders of the EU presidency?

The Czech President Václav Klaus is a Euro-Skeptic.

I think we need to read deeper into this situation and have a debate.

[TradCat]

The competition for a design for the flag was organized in 1950 by the Council of Europe. It was won by a then little-known painter, Arsène Heits. His design showed twelve white stars arranged in circle on a dark blue background. Arsène Heits got the idea for the design from the “Miraculous Medal” he wore around his neck. This medal was struck after the apparition of the Virgin to Catherine Labouré in 1830. The Virgin herself told the nun that the medal should represent the twelve stars crowning the head of the woman of the Apocalypse. Bernadette Soubirous was wearing the “Miraculous Medal” around her neck on a piece of string on February 11, 1858, when the Virgin appeared to her for the first time in Lourdes.

The flag’s official adoption was celebrated with a solemn ceremony, scheduled to take account exclusively of the engagements of the members of the Committee of Ministers, and was held on December 8,1955, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a day that just happened to be free for all the leaders involved.

Or at least that's what I read on the Internet

[corelli]

Sounds like that came from "left field", didn't it? But it really is not. The Church is really re-asserting itself politically all over the continent; the first place that it happened was Italy. Is this what everyone's in for? a revived continent-wide ecclesiocracy? [size=1]("Theocracy" would be inaccurate. And besides, the EU was the idea of those that didn't act very "Christian", i.e. according to Biblical values; the diametric opposite behaviour, in fact.)[/size]

CathNews

Where does one even begin. Any reference in the article as to where, exactly, he thinks this alleged disconnect influenced the result of the referendum. All the statistics and or research shows that "christian" or social issues played only a very small part in the rejection. Its a mere assertion. Nothing more.

The thrust of the argument is along the lines of what Benedict XVI calls the re-christianisation of Europe. He has made it one of the hallmarks of his pontificate. Let there be no surprise that Brady, Vik et al, will be thumping the bandwagon with vigor in the months leading up to the new referendum. They see it as a political opportunity to assert their faith.

Ps. I met Vik once, seemed a very nice guy. I just don't agree with him on this.

[Factorem]

The Czech Cardinal is perfectly entitled to make a statement on his views of Europe.

There are huge moral implications for the future of Europe emanating from the Lisbon Treaty.

[ArtyQueing]

Glad to see this, I am against the EU as is and will be if the Lisbon treaty goes ahead however if we had a true Europe of the people of Europe I would support that.

[eurosceptic]

The lack of a christian heritage concerned many about the direction of europe.

[seabhcan]

It was Christian politicians who developed the idea of unified Europe, Cardinal Vlk said.

Actually it was the Romans, followed by the Spanish, followed by the French, followed by the Germans, followed by...

In short, the 'idea' of a unified Europe is not a difficult idea to come up with.

[tmesis2008]

The lack of a christian heritage concerned many about the direction of europe.

I don't see how the direction of Europe has anything do with the heritage of Europe unless you believe that "Europe" plans to travel back in time to rewrite its own history.