Brussels: At the celebration marking 800 years of the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula, Cardinal Pietro Parolin called on Europe to rediscover the courage and confidence of its Christian roots, at a time when the continent is facing deep uncertainty and loss of direction.
Speaking inside the historic cathedral in Brussels, the Holy See Secretary of State reflected on the long journey of Christian faith in the city. He said the faith of the Church does not exist outside history, but grows within it, shaped by real communities and lived across generations. The celebration was attended by hundreds of faithful as well as members of the Belgian royal family.
Cardinal Parolin recalled that even before the present Gothic cathedral was built in the 13th century, earlier places of worship had already stood on the site, showing how deeply Christianity has been rooted in Brussels. This slow and patient growth, he said, reflects the true nature of the Church, which is built not through single moments, but through faithfulness passed on from one generation to the next.
Over eight centuries, the cathedral has walked alongside the spiritual life of Brussels and the nation, responding to the questions and challenges of each age. According to the cardinal, this history shows that the Church remains alive when it continues to engage with the world rather than withdraw from it.
Reflecting on the cathedral’s patron saints, Cardinal Parolin said Saint Michael represents vigilance and discernment, while Saint Gudula stands for daily faithfulness. Together, they offer an image of a Church that balances truth with service, strength with gentleness.
Turning to the wider European context, the cardinal noted that Brussels, home to many European Union institutions, was built through encounter and dialogue. Yet Europe today, he said, is living through a period of fragility marked not only by political and social divisions, but also by deeper cultural and interior struggles.
He recalled figures such as Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, and Alcide De Gasperi, who helped shape post war European reconciliation, and said Europe needs to rebuild trust among its people, not just its institutions.
Cardinal Parolin also spoke about the challenges facing the Church itself. He warned that the greatest danger is not a decline in numbers, but the risk of becoming irrelevant. What weakens Christian witness, he said, is not small size, but the loss of evangelical boldness.
The Church, he added, does not stand above history or dissolve into it, but journeys through it, offering accompaniment, discernment, and service.
At the end of his homily, Cardinal Parolin entrusted the Church, the city of Brussels, Belgium, Europe, and the wider community of nations to the care of Mary. He expressed hope that the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula would continue to be an open home and a place of communion, helping to form consciences for justice, responsibility, and hope in the years ahead.