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Ecclesia in Europa

On Jesus Christ Alive in his Church the Source of Hope for Europe

John Paul II, Pope

The Church’s role in the evangelization of Europe today

The Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops met from 1 to 23 October 1999. Its theme was 'Jesus Christ alive in his Church the source of hope for Europe'.The Synod Fathers' responses to the challenges faced by the Church in Europe at the beginning of the third millennium are summarised here by Pope John Paul II.
The loss of Europe's Christian memory and heritage, accompanied by a kind of practical agnosticism and religious indifference whereby many Europeans give the impression of living without spiritual roots and somewhat like heirs who have squandered a patrimony entrusted to them by history. This 'old continent' which has welcomed Christ for 2000 years is in need of a renewal of the message of hope that Christ brings. The Church is encouraged to be full of zeal not only for the 'new evangelization' but for the primary evangelization of the many un-baptized of Europe.