Celebrate Europe Day - 9 May 2010
AN INFORMATION PACK TO HELP YOU CELEBRATE EUROPE DAY -
SUNDAY MAY 9 2010
What is Europe Day?
In 1948, after two terrible world wars, Europe was desolate. Millions of men, women and children were dead or had been driven from their homelands. Many of its great cities were reduced to rubble.
It is hard for us to imagine now, as we fly across this great continent for a city break or a beach holiday that in 1945 Europe was a dark and grieving place.
Just three years later, a passionate belief that war was an utterly futile way of solving problems led to a Congress attended by 800 people from across Europe. The Congress was headed by a French Catholic Foreign Minister called Robert Schuman.
The Congress declared that there should from henceforth be free movement of people, ideas and goods. This free movement which had been denied to so many people during the two great wars, was to be underpinned by a Charter of Human Rights, a Court of Justice to guarantee these rights and a European Assembly in Brussels and Strasbourg “where the live forces of our nations shall be represented.”
The name of Robert Schuman was given to this Declaration and his remarkable achievement is celebrated across Europe every year on May 9.
So what is special about this year?
Europe Day falls on a Sunday this year and it also marks the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration. This gave the Diocesan Europe Group the idea of encouraging parishes to mark this is some way.
Whatever peoples’ views about the European Union (EU) today, it cannot be denied that for sixty years Europe has enjoyed unprecedented peace, security and prosperity. We can and should offer a heartfelt thanksgiving for all the benefits of peace within the borders of the EU and of the growth of international friendships through civic and church links with mainland Europe.
You may also find it helpful to read the attached leaflet from the House of Lords Europe Panel:
Schuman leaflet 0410.doc 831.50 kB
Every parish has been sent an information pack in the Bundle
to help you celebrate Europe Day.It contains:
- A Europe Day poster
- A prayer card
- A sermon outline
- A copy of our latest newsletter, ‘Around Europe’
- Some booklets about the European Union
- Some information and contacts for the Europe Group
A full sermon is also attached, for your use:
Sermon for Europe Day 090510.pdf 37.65 kB
If you would like further information, please contact Helen Hutchison (Chair) at helenhutchison@btopenworld.com or Austin Smith (Deputy Chair) at ajdsmith@waitrose.com
