The importance of talking about the past: Católica inaugurates exhibition on Blessed Charles of Austria-Hungary

"Memory is often a place of conflict, but an initiative like this exhibition shows us that when we share memories and talk about the past, we are better prepared for the present". These words were spoken by Peter Hanenberg, Vice-Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, at the inauguration of the exhibition on Blessed Charles of Austria-Hungary.

The exhibition "Life and Memory of Blessed Charles of Austria-Hungary" was inaugurated with a lecture by José Miguel Sardica, professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences, and will be open until 30th April at the João Paulo II University Library at the Católica headquarters in Lisbon.

"Why is it important to know Blessed Charles of Austria-Hungary today?", the historian began. Summarising the life of the last Emperor of Hungary, the professor highlighted the aspects that make this figure relevant today and his exemplary qualities.

"History is unanimous in recognising his simplicity, humanity and devotion," he declared, adding that "his figure and his story are increasingly relevant because, for the first time in 70 years, the European continent is at war, as it was at the time of Emperor Charles".

Blessed by a decision of Pope John Paul II, he was "the first contemporary head of state to be raised to the altars and the only Habsburg in the 650-year history of the family to deserve the honour of beatification" for his exemplary life.

For José Miguel Sardica, "Blessed Charles of Austria-Hungary shows us that exemplarity and the approach to sanctity are possible among lay people", adding that "today, our heroes are full of nothing, and Emperor Charles was no nothing, he was an absolute everything, in that search for peace".

Also present at the event, the Hungarian Ambassador, Miklós Halmai, stressed that "in Charles we can honour a great personality at European level. He ruled in times of war, but was an emperor of peace".

Fr. João Vergamota, director of the Higher Institute of Canon Law, one of the organisers of the initiative, recalled that Charles of Habsburg was the only head of state to respond positively to Pope Benedict XV's call for peace during the First World War. "Blessed Charles is an eloquent symbol of a sovereign who opens his heart to the proposals of the Church for the good of all," he concluded.

The exhibition will be open until 30th April, marking the end of the year commemorating the centenary of the death of Emperor Charles on 1st April 1922. The project has already had an analogous edition at the Porto campus and now arrives at the Católica headquarters.