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Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Author : K. Dolgov
Professor, Doctor of Science (Philosophy)
The last centuries have revealed the fact that the distance between
the great religious teachings and their followers is increasing. This
is especially obvious in case of Christianity: in the past, the peoples
of Europe were actively involved in religious life; today, churches
in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland and other countries are
empty even on great religious holidays; some of them are closed
or even sold. Sects of all sorts and atheist associations are mush-
rooming; the flock is growing more and more disgusted with the
behavior (homosexuality, pedophilia, etc.) of some members of
the clergy. Many European countries have already legalized gay
marriages very much to the detriment of the family, the corner-
stone of human society and the state.
These and many other facts of the same sort testify, to a certain
respect, that religion, culture and human society are steadily disintegrating while the intervals
between the shattering financial and economic crises are growing shorter. There is no need here
to dwell on the causes of local wars and armed conflicts, revolutions and counterrevolutions as
well as terrorism: naturally, it is a subject that concerns all and everyone.
No wonder, the sober-minded politicians, clerics, scientists, and cultural figures are worried by
the gradually worsening economic, political and, last but not least, moral environment. They
point to the obvious deficit, not to say complete absence, of fairness in contemporary society:
the deep and deepening precipice that separates the rich and the poor, an onslaught of militant
amorality in the relationships between people, nations and states.
In his address to the deputies of the European Parliament, Pope Francis pointed out: "My visit
comes more than a quarter of a century after that of Pope John Paul II. Since then, much has
changed throughout Europe and the world as a whole. The opposing blocs which then divided
the continent in two no longer exist"; Europe became different politically and economically as
well as anthropologically and geographically; the entire world changed a lot. As the interconnec-
tions between nations were developing and growing more and more complicated and European
Union was expanding the world was growing less and less 'Eurocentric' Despite a larger and
stronger Union, Europe seems to give the impression of being somewhat elderly and haggard,
feeling less and less a protagonist in a world which frequently regards it with aloofness, mistrust
and even, at times, suspicion."
The Pontiff pointed out that despondency was not the right answer to these serious problems -
the Europeans should close ranks so that to arrive at the best possible solutions.
In fact, the Pope has pointed to total loneliness or alienation of man in the contemporary world.
Today, we can all see, with a great deal of regret, that Europe has not yet pondered on these
On Pope Francis' Addresses