Centre for European Christian Foundations and Values (CFVC)

CFVC

Identity and mission

In 1982, Saint John Paul II urged Europe to rediscover itself. From Santiago—the Holy Father said at the time— Old Europe, I send you a cry filled with love. Rediscover yourself. Be true to yourself. Discover your origins. Revive your roots. Recapture the authentic values that made your history glorious and your presence on other continents a blessing. Rebuild your spiritual unity in an atmosphere of respect for other religions and freedoms. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s. Do not take pride in your achievements to the point of overlooking their potential negative consequences. Do not be disheartened by the loss of your global influence or the social and cultural crises that affect you now. You can still be a beacon of civilization and a catalyst for global progress.
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That call is as relevant today as ever and, in fact, is more urgent than ever. In order to respond to it, we must understand the essence of Europe, its origins, and the values that have made it a model for so many peoples. The Center for Christian Foundations and Values in Europe embraces this task wholeheartedly, believing that studying Europe’s identity is the best way to ensure our continent remains a space of freedom and opportunity, and that culture, art, and thought continue to reach the world from here.

To achieve this, the center aims to become a unique space for encounter and dialogue among individuals from different countries and fields of knowledge who share a vision of a renewed Europe grounded in its founding principles. The center aspires to form a group of collaborators willing to join forces to rediscover the history, art, and philosophy that shaped the great European project together with Christianity. Among its objectives is supporting any initiatives that arise in this regard.