The Diocesan phase of the Gasperi Alcide Beatification Phase concludes

This Friday, February 28, the closure of the Diocesan phase of the Beatification Process of the Servant of God Alcide de Gasperi, Italian politician, recognized as one of the “parents of Europe” was held at the Latinonense Palace in Rome.

Together with France’s Foreign Affairs, Robert Schuman, already declared venerable by Pope Francis, and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, from Gasperi was one of the promoters of the project for a united Europe, inspired by the values ​​of Christian humanism, after the Second World War

The Christian roots of the European Project

In an interview with ACI Press, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, general secretary of the Episcopal Conferences Commission of the European Union (Eat), shared his enthusiasm by highlighting that two of the founders are in the process of canonization.

“From Gasperi he has always been a man of dialogue, who also went through difficult times. I think this advance in its beatification process confirms that the roots of the European project are Christian roots, ”he said.

The Spanish priest, a doctor of theology and a degree in clinical psychology, stressed that “the providence” allowed these three politicians to lay the foundations of a Europe “that respects human rights, promotes the dignity of the person and the sense of community, which was a fundamental issue for Gasperi.”

For Fr. Barrios, the spiritual legacy of the Italian politician – as Pope Pius XII or St. Paul VI already highlighted – is based on the conviction that “politics is a high form of charity when it is lived as a service”, a message that, according to the presbyter, “remains fundamental in the current world.”

For the priest, who took possession of his position in 2019 and was re -elected by the Plenary Assembly in 2023 for another four -year mandate, which makes a holy person “to live charity in a full sense.”

From Gasperi “he worked to achieve the idea of ​​community and was really an example of dialogue, also with his political adversaries, something he had to suffer,” he emphasized. In his opinion, the founders of the European project were inspired by the social doctrine of the Church, which influenced the first steps of a project that today has been transformed into the European Union.

From Gasperi “I was looking for everyone’s common good: the dignity of the human being, the dignity of the family and the dignity of the community. But above all, the dignity of the human being as a fundamental principle of political action, ”he said.

While sometimes they are not recognized, “or do not want to recognize” the Christian values ​​of Europe that defended Gasperi, the priest said they continue to be the foundations of Europe. “What we should do as Christians is to promote them, especially at a time as difficult as the current one, where there are conflicts, a war in Europe and geopolitical tensions,” he said.

A common army in Europe

Before the current European context, by Gasperi “he would seek dialogue with all and the common good of Europe, as well as unity in diversity,” said Fr. Barrios, who also stressed that “he was very committed to seeking a community of defense.”

“He wanted to promote a common defense, a common army in Europe, so that he could defend himself. The project in the end failed, above all, because France was not in favor, but it was something important for him. Then, in the current context that we live, with so many tensions, if he lived, he would resume him in some way. ”

Its roots and culture, both Austrian and Italian, traced according to the priest the features of their personality. He also stressed that the Italian politician was a family person “and really a Christian with freedom of conscience.”

In 1932, when he was the leader of the Italian Popular Party, he was arrested by the Benito Mussolini regime. Although he was sentenced to four years in prison, thanks to the mediation of the Vatican turned 16. From his time in jail, Fr. Barrios highlighted the letters he wrote, which in his opinion are “very inspiring”, and that will constitute a fundamental element for their beatification process.

Diocesan research

The closing rite has been carried out this morning at the Apostolic Palacio Lataranense of Rome has been chaired by the vicar of Pope Francis for the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal Baldassare Reina, who pointed out that for Gasperi “Christian charity was a concrete virtue that should be embodied in political life.”

Diocesan investigation was initiated in the ecclesiastical court of the Archdiocese of Trent, in Italy. The prefect of the Dicastery of the Causes of the Saints, Cardinal Marcelo Semerao, after having obtained the consent of both the Archbishop of Trent and the Cardinal Reina, has transmitted the Rescript, granting the transfer of the competition to the Diocese of Rome.

The court that has led Diocesan investigation in Rome is composed of Mons. Giuseppe D ‘Alonzo, Episcopal Delegate; by Andrea de Matteis, promoter of Justice; and by Marcelo Terramani, notary. The postulator of the cause of beatification and canonization is Dr. Paolo Vilotta.