Even though nowadays, it seems like religion and politics don't mix, late Robert Schuman was able to successfully balance these two out. It will soon be 50 years since the Luxembourg politician, known as one of the 'European founding fathersâ? passed away. He pushed for reconciliation and solidarity after World War II, bringinning that message to life.
LUCA VOLONTí?
PPE Honorary President, Council of Europe
'His figure gives support to everyone who politically speaking supports Christian values, and also European values in this challenging time. But above all, to all those that want to show that Christianity can have a presence in public life.â?
Schumann directly suffered the consequences of both World Wars. This experience taught him that avoiding similar conflicts in the future, was essential. He joined three other politicians, Frenchman Jean Monnet, German Konrad Adenauer and Italian Alcide De Gasperi. Together they founded the European Coal and Steel Community, which would later become the European Union.
Schumann wanted former enemies in Europe to develop stronger ties and common interests, so that the possibility of war could disappear for good.
Even as he promoted peace in a continent ravaged by war, he remained a deeply devout Christian. In 2006, he was declared a 'Servant of God,â? and his beatification process is still ongoing.
LUCA VOLONTí?
PPE Honorary President, Council of Europe
'They have been working on this for more than 10 years. We hope that the canonization process will end soon. This year could be the year it comes to an end. Along with Schuman, there's another wonderful person of that same time period who brought peace and growth to the Europe we've come to know. His name is De Gasperi, who's also undergoing the process for canonization.â?
Their lives show that politics and holiness are compatible. Schuman and De Gasperi made sure they not only lived out the Gospel as good Christians, but they also made it a point to bring honesty and dignity to a profession that's often tainted by scandal and power.
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