While many do consider the Apos-tolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa, proclaimed on June 28, 2003, by John Paul II, as the magna carta of the Church's views on the European Union, perhaps few consider that this very important document bears the title "Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation".

Before the promulgation of this document, the European Bishops had met in two Special Assemblies for Europe, in December 1991 and October 1999.

This explains why the very first words of this Exhortation, which carries a sub-title "A proclamation of joy for Europe", are:

"The Church in Europe was closely united to her Bishops as they gathered in a Synod a second time and contemplated Jesus Christ, alive in the Church, the source of hope for Europe."

As the Holy Father explains in his Exhortation: "The Synodal Assembly had to take up, re-examine and study the issues which surfaced in the preceding Synod for Europe, which was held in 1991, following the collapse of the walls (of Berlin) on the theme: 'That we may be witnesses of Christ who has set us free'.

"That first Special Assembly emphasised the urgent need for a 'new evangelisation' in the awareness that Europe today must not simply appeal to its former Christian heritage: it needs to be able to decide about its future in conformity with the person and message of Jesus Christ."

Nine years later, the conviction that "the Church has the urgent task of bringing the liberating message of the Gospel to the men and women of Europe", once more emerged with compelling force.

The theme chosen for the new Synodal Assemblies, so closely knit together, paved the way to John Paul II's Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa (The Church in Europe), which His Holiness addressed to "the Bishops, men and women in the consecrated Life and all the Lay Faithful in Jesus Christ alive in His Church the Source of Hope for Europe".

One very important point to keep in mind is that during the Synodal Assembly held in October 1999, a message was read by Cardinal Jan Schotte in the synod hall. The message came from the European Commission President, Romano Prodi.

He told the Synod that in the European memory lies "the permanent mark of Christianity. In the different cultures of the European nations, in the arts, in literature and in the hermeneutics of thoughts there is the sap of Christianity, which nourishes both those who believe and those who do not believe."

Mr Prodi, whose commitment to the Catholic faith is well known, said that this cultural memory encompasses values such as human life, freedom of thought, and protection of individuals and groups, particularly of the weakest.