A Europe for the Common Good

Last week, the Archbishop of Canterbury was in Paris where he gave a speech at the Catholic Institute of Paris setting out a future vision for Europe. Speaking against the background of Brexit and Trump’s victory, Archbishop Justin Welby rejected the idea that nations, or for that matter individuals, should prioritise their own well-being.

To those that argue that the European elite is wrong and that it is necessary to look after ourselves, the Archbishop made the case that Europe’s future lies in a process of subsidiarity, re-imagination and inclusion, especially the development of concepts of intermediate communities of many kinds (schools, charities, companies, churches, civil society, families above all). As the Archbishop notes this is a theological vision, one deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching and understanding of the common good that allows commonality of vision, but sets strong boundaries to what is acceptable. Reading the speech it is clear that this is a vision that goes well beyond the European Union but one that is offered for Europe as a whole.

This is a speech that is worth reading in full. Seen from the perspective of Reimagining Europe it touches on many of the questions that Our Common Futures is looking to explore over the coming months.

Click here to read Archbishop Justin’s speech to the Catholic Institute of Paris.