Catholic Church in Europe

{{short description|none}} [[File:Basilica di San Pietro - Esterrno.jpg|thumb|[[Saint Peter's Basilica]], in [[Rome, Italy]]]] {{Catholic Church by country}} The '''Catholic Church in Europe''' is part of the worldwide [[Catholic Church]] in [[full communion]] with the [[Holy See]] in [[Rome]], including represented [[Eastern Catholic]] [[Catholic missions|missions]]. Demographically, Catholics are the largest religious group in [[Europe]].

== Demographics == [[File:Percent of Catholics in Europe by Country–Pew Research 2011 (no legend).svg|thumb|Adherence to Catholicism in Europe (2010)]] About 35%<ref>[http://www.pewforum.org/files/2011/12/Christianity-fullreport-web.pdf PEW Report: Global Christianity] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805020311/http://www.pewforum.org/files/2011/12/Christianity-fullreport-web.pdf |date=August 5, 2013 }}</ref> of the population of [[Europe]] today is Catholic, but only about a quarter of all Catholics worldwide reside in Europe. This is due in part to the movement and immigration at various times of largely Catholic European ethnic groups (such as the [[Irish people|Irish]], [[Italian people|Italians]], [[Polish people|Poles]], [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], and [[Spanish people|Spaniards]]) to continents such as the [[Americas]] and [[Australia]]. Furthermore, Catholicism has been spread outside Europe through both historical Catholic missionary activity, especially in [[Latin America]], and the past colonization and conversion of native people by Catholic European countries, specifically the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]], [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], [[French colonial empire|French]] and [[Belgian colonial empire]], in regions such as South America, [[the Caribbean]], [[Central Africa]] and [[West Africa]], and [[Southeast Asia]].<ref name="Zenit">{{cite web |url=http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-29058 |title=Number of Catholics on the Rise |date=27 April 2010 |publisher=Zenit News Agency |access-date=2 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727041154/http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-29058 |archive-date=27 July 2010 }}. For greater details on numbers of Catholics and priests and their distribution by continent and for changes between 2000 and 2008, see {{cite web |url=http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/25451.php?index=25451&lang=it |title=Annuario Statistico della Chiesa dell'anno 2008 |date=27 April 2010 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |access-date=2 May 2010 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (in Italian)</ref>

== The Holy See and the European episcopal conferences ==

=== Holy See–European Union relations === {{see also|Holy See–European Union relations}} As the Vatican State is a [[theocracy]], it cannot become a member of the European Union. However, traditionally there are very strong ties of the Holy See with the only neighboring country of the [[Vatican City]], [[Italy]] and also with the European Union. Since 1970 the European Union accredits an official representative from the Holy See (an Apostolic [[Nuncio]]) to the EU. Even though the Vatican City is not an official member of the European Union, it has adopted the [[Euro]] as its currency and has open borders with the [[Schengen Area]].

=== Statements of the Holy See and other dignitaries of the Catholic Church on the European integration === In 2016 Pope Francis was awarded with the [[Charlemagne Prize|Charlemagne prize]]. During his speech of thanks Pope Francis criticized a "crisis of solidarity"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/church/2016/05/06/pope-francis-tells-europe-i-have-a-dream/|title=Pope Francis tells Europe, 'I Have a Dream' - Crux|date=2016-05-06|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-24|archive-date=2016-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819080610/https://cruxnow.com/church/2016/05/06/pope-francis-tells-europe-i-have-a-dream/|url-status=dead}}</ref> in Europe and condemned "national self-interest, renationalization and particularism".<ref name=":0" />

In December 2018 Cardinal [[Reinhard Marx]], archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Munich and Freising|Munich and Freising]] and former president of [[COMECE]], called for a deeper European integration and condemned the harmful consequences of nationalism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.erzbistum-muenchen.de/news/bistum/Kardinal-Marx-will-staerkere-Integration-Europas-33669.news|title=Kardinal Marx will stärkere Integration Europas|last=München|first=Erzbischöfliches Ordinariat|website=www.erzbistum-muenchen.de|language=de-DE|access-date=2018-12-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rtl.de/cms/kardinal-marx-christen-muessen-sich-fuer-europa-einsetzen-4260071.html|title=Christen müssen sich für Europa ei...|work=rtl.de|access-date=2018-12-04|language=de-DE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203232830/https://www.rtl.de/cms/kardinal-marx-christen-muessen-sich-fuer-europa-einsetzen-4260071.html|archive-date=2018-12-03|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.katholisch.de/aktuelles/aktuelle-artikel/kardinal-marx-nationalismus-das-bedeutet-krieg|title=Kardinal Marx: Nationalismus, das bedeutet Krieg|website=katholisch.de|language=de|access-date=2018-12-04}}</ref>

=== The Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe (CCEE) === {{see also|Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe}} The Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe ({{langx|la|Consilium Conferentiarum Episcoporum Europae}}) (CCEE) is a conference of the presidents of the 33 [[Roman Catholic]] [[episcopal conference]]s of [[Europe]], the [[Archbishop of Luxembourg]], the [[Archbishop of Monaco]], [[Maronite Catholic Archeparch of Cyprus]], the [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Chişinău]], the [[Ruthenian Catholic Eparch of Mukacheve]], and the [[Apostolic Administrator of Estonia]].<ref name="CCEEpresentation">{{cite web|title=Presentation|website=ccee.eu|location=St. Gallen|publisher=Consilium Conferentiarium Episcoporum Europae|url=http://www.ccee.eu/ccee|access-date=2016-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107200954/http://www.ccee.eu/ccee|archive-date=2016-01-07|url-status=live}}</ref> The {{abbr|CCEE|Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe}} Secretariat is located in [[St. Gallen]], Switzerland.

=== The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) === {{see also|Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community}} The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community ({{langx|la|Commissio Episcopatuum Communitatis Europaeae}}; COMECE) is the association of [[Catholic Church]] [[episcopal conference]]s in [[member states of the European Union]] (EU) which officially represents those episcopal conferences at EU institutions.<ref name="EUTransparency2016">{{cite web|date=2016-04-12|title=Secretariat of COMECE (Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community)|website=ec.europa.eu|publisher=European Commission. Joint Transparency Register Secretariat|id=[[Transparency Register]] id: 47350036909-69|url=http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/consultation/displaylobbyist.do?id=47350036909-69&locale=en#en|access-date=2016-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502163730/http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/consultation/displaylobbyist.do?id=47350036909-69&locale=en|archive-date=2016-05-02|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Turner2013">{{cite book|last=Turner|first=Frank|year=2013|chapter=The Roman Catholic Church and the European institutions: dialogue and advocacy at the European Union|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BGLREmTDztIC&pg=PA77|editor-last=Leuştean|editor-first=Lucian N.|title=Representing religion in the European Union: does God matter?|series=Routledge studies in religion and politics|location=London [u.a.]|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9780415685047|pages=77, 82–83}}</ref> {{abbr|COMECE|Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community}} bishops are delegated by Catholic episcopal conferences in EU member states and has a permanent [[Secretariat (administrative office)|Secretariat]] in [[Brussels]], Belgium.<ref name="EUTransparency2016" /><ref name="COMECEwhoweare">{{cite web|title=Who we are|website=comece.eu|location=Brussels, BE|publisher=Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community|url=http://www.comece.eu/site/en/whoweare|access-date=2016-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401235638/http://www.comece.eu/site/en/whoweare|archive-date=2016-04-01|url-status=live}}</ref> It was established in 1980 and replaced the European Catholic Pastoral Information Service (SIPECA, 1976–1980). Discussions during the 1970s about creating an episcopal conferences' liaison organization to the [[European Community]] led to the decision, on the eve of the [[1979 European Parliament election]], to establish {{abbr|COMECE|Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community}}.<ref name="COMECEhistory">{{cite web|title=Our history|website=comece.eu|location=Brussels, BE|publisher=Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community|url=http://www.comece.eu/site/en/whoweare/ourhistory|access-date=2016-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503223852/http://www.comece.eu/site/en/whoweare/ourhistory|archive-date=2016-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Important European Catholic lay organizations==

=== European Catholic youth organizations === '''[[Fimcap]]''' '''Europe''' (International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth Movements): Fimcap is an [[umbrella organization]] for [[catholic]] youth organizations, especially for youth organizations which are based at parish level. (See also: [[Fimcap|Fimcap Europe]])

'''[[MIJARC Europe]]''' (International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth): MIJARC Europe is a platform representing the catholic, agricultural and rural youth movements in Europe.

=== Other important Catholic lay organizations === '''[[CIDSE]]''' (International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity)''':''' CIDSE is an umbrella organization for Catholic development agencies from Europe and North America.

'''[[World Movement of Christian Workers]]''' consists of Catholic workingmen and workingwomen.

== Important sites for the Catholic Church in Europe == {{See also|List of Christian pilgrimage sites}} [[File:Petersdom von Engelsburg gesehen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.00|[[Saint Peter's Basilica]] in [[Vatican City]], [[Rome]].]]

===Vatican City and Rome=== According to the [[Catholic tradition]], [[Saint Peter]], one of the [[Twelve Apostles]] of [[Jesus of Nazareth|Jesus Christ]] and leader of the [[early church]], was crucified and buried in [[Rome]] under Emperor [[Nero|Nero Augustus Caesar]]. On the place supposed to be the burial site of Saint Peter the [[Saint Peter's Basilica]] was built. [[Rome]] is also the residence city of the [[Pope]], the leader of the Catholic Church, who at the same time is also the [[Bishop of Rome]]. Until today the Pope rules over an ecclesiastical state, the [[Vatican City]], which encompasses 44 hectares of the city area. Rome hosts also the Papal [[Major basilica]]s. Besides the [[Saint Peter's Basilica]] there are three other [[Major basilica]]s: [[Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran]], [[Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls]] and [[Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore]].

===Santiago de Compostela=== One of the most important and famous sites for [[pilgrimage]]s for the Catholic Church is [[Santiago de Compostela]] in [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]], [[Spain]]. The [[Santiago de Compostela Cathedral|cathedral]] of the city hosts the [[shrine]] of [[Saint James the Great|Saint James]], one of the [[Twelve Apostles]] of [[Jesus]], and traditionally considered the first apostle to be [[martyr]]ed. Santiago de Compostela is the final destination of the [[Way of Saint James]] ([[Galician language|Galician]]: ''O Camiño de Santiago'').

===Assisi=== Assisi, a town in the [[Umbria]] region in [[Italy]], hosts two more [[papal basilica]]s: the [[Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi]] and the [[Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli]]. The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi is the [[mother church]] of the [[Order of Friars Minor]], commonly known as the "Franciscan Order". Assisi is the town in which the founder of the order, [[Francis of Assisi|Saint Francis of Assisi]], was born and died.

==See also== *[[Catholic Church by country]] *[[Catholic Church in Africa]] *[[Catholic Church in Asia]] *[[Catholic Church in North America]] *[[Catholic Church in Latin America]] *[[Catholic Church in Oceania]] *[[List of Catholic dioceses in Europe]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * Bireley, Robert. ''The Refashioning of Catholicism, 1450–1700: A Reassessment of the Counter Reformation'' (1999) * Burson, Jeffrey D., and Ulrich L. Lehner. ''Enlightenment and Catholicism in Europe: A Transnational History'' (2014) * Chamedes, Giuliana. ''A Twentieth-Century Crusade: The Vatican’s Battle to Remake Catholic Europe'' (Harvard UP, 2019) *[[CIA Factbook]] {{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003300/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2007|title=Field Listing - Religions|access-date=2007-04-17 }} * Gehler, Michael, and Wolfram Kaiser, eds. ''Christian Democracy in Europe since 1945'' (Routledge, 2004) * Kent, Peter C. and J.F. Pollard, eds. ''Papal Diplomacy in the Modern Age'' (Praeger 1994), * Kselman, Thomas, and Joseph A. Buttigieg, eds. ''European Christian Democracy: Historical Legacies and Comparative Perspectives'' (Notre Dame University Press, 2003) * Kosicki, Piotr H. '' Catholics on the Barricades: Poland, France, and “Revolution,” 1891-1956'' (Yale University Press, 2018) [https://hdiplo.org/to/RT21-38 multiple online reviews] * Latourette, Kenneth Scott. ''A history of expansion of Christianity. vol 4. The great century: in Europe and the United States of America; A.D. 1800-A.D. 1914'' (1941) * Latourette, Kenneth Scott. ''Christianity in a Revolutionary Age, I: The Nineteenth Century in Europe: Background and the Roman Catholic Phase'' (1969) * Latourette, Kenneth Scott. ''Christianity in a Revolutionary Age, IV: The Twentieth Century in Europe: The Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Churches'' (1958) * MacCulloch, Diarmaid. ''Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years'' (2011) * Misner, Paul. ''Social Catholicism in Europe: From the Onset of Industrialization to the First World War'' (1991)

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