Pope Francis approved on Saturday morning a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints recognizing the “heroic virtues” of Frenchman Robert Schuman (1886-1963). He who is often described as one of the fathers of Europe is thus recognized as “venerable”.
→ EXPLANATION. Robert Schuman, “father of Europe”, on his way to holiness
First step towards beatification, then canonization, recognition by the Church of a person as “Venerable” requires a thorough examination of his life and his writings, especially by historians and theologians. For Robert Schuman, the work began in 1990 in the diocese of Metz, where the politician lived, before being transmitted to Rome fourteen years later, in 2004. A possible beatification will require the recognition of a due miracle. at the intercession of the venerable.
Craftsman of Franco-German reconciliation
A convinced Catholic, close to Franciscan spirituality, Robert Schuman was one of the artisans of Franco-German reconciliation. Born in Luxembourg in 1886, with German nationality, he became French after the First World War and entered Parliament as a Member of the Moselle.
It was after World War II, as Foreign Minister (1948-1952), that he worked to reconcile the two former enemies, and announced on May 9, 1950, that “The French government proposes to place all Franco-German coal and steel production under a common High Authority, in an organization open to the participation of other European countries”. A declaration which will go down in history and lay the foundations of what has become the European Union today.
A layman who sanctified his time
“Schuman was a layman who worked with all his might to sanctify his time and the society in which he lived”, recently explained to La Croix Father Cédric Burgun, who was president of the Saint-Benoît Institute for four years, the association that initiated Schuman’s request for canonization.
Schuman was also the one who “Knew not to despair of the problems of his time”, continues Father Burgun. “He saw the two world wars, knew how to be prophetic and tried to make his political mission coincide with the words of the Gospels: forgiveness of enemies. He applied it to Franco-German relations of his time. What he has done for Franco-German reconciliation is an incredible sign of hope in terms of politics. He walked towards real paths of reconciliation. “
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