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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, SEPTEMBER 10, 1982
PAGE 9
factors of unity and approaches: the Christian heritage, the
remembrance of Rome and its unity, its universal language as the
carrier of culture and liturgy, the Roman law and the sense for
authority beyond force, the striving for individual freedom and
personal loyalty was the Germanic contribution from the Middle
Ages.
To this latinized Europe now comes that other one, the Greek and
Byzantine, which is to be found mainly among the Slavic peoples
and which has separated itself often from the remaining part be
cause of theological or political division, but is viewed, never
theless, by all genuine Europeans as an integral part.
In the course of European history, the monarchies have been �
factor of unification. They have not only mastered the dissolu
tion of�he smallest powers, but have also established personal
connections among the people represented by their kings.
And
through marriages among the members of ruling families, bonds
have been woven between countries which were separated from each
other by language, race and customs; they strengthened the recog
nition to be a unit and to belong to a common reality.
The monarchies are the creators� "les grands corps gue sent les
nations [the large body which is the nations]," as Descartes,
the progressive thinker of modern Europe formulated it; and if
you look at it more closely, they have put brakes on and limited
the destructive and uncivil spirit of nationalism.
In that famous book with the title, "The Revolt of the Masses,"
the unifying of Europe had been proposed as the o p ly solution for
Europe's problems as early� 1930--� super nation which had to
be raised !:!,E--� United States of Europe. And this impulse has
not been lost in my country.
The relatively young King Juan Carlos just might have a significant part to
play in Europe, and might inspire a greater role by Europe's present mon
archies as well as those buried below the surface awaiting a resurrection.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau