Vallásos vonatkozások az európai integráció tervezésében és alakulásában
Religious Aspects in the Planning and Development of European Integration

Summary/Abstract: This article explores ways in which Europe’s Christian character has manifested in the planning and in the later shaping of European integration, concluding that Christianity has been more an indirect factor in the integration process than a direct one. Robert Schuman (1886–1963) observed that Europe will only live and survive aware of itself and its responsibilities, if it returns to the Christian principles of brotherhood and solidarity. In the 2000s, during the accession of Hungary and Romania, Europe is still searching for its soul. Jacques Delors (1925), former President of the European Commission, also believed that Europe needs a soul. Europe's Constitutional Treaty refers in general terms to its religious traditions and respect for the status of churches under the law of the Member States. On the other hand, it fails to acknowledge an obvious historical fact: the role of Christianity in shaping Europe's history and culture. Almost twenty years have passed since the signing of the Constitutional Treaty and the failure of its ratification by the Member States. In 2023, Europe is still in the same position as it was in 1950 (under the Schuman era) and 2010 (under the Delors era): still experimenting to find its soul. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (1958), reflected this in her 2021 assessment speech on the state of the Union.

• Details
• Contents