Bishops urge re-engagement of citizens with ‘European project’
-15/06/05
Catholic Bishops have said that the results of the referenda on a European constitution in France and the Netherlands do ìnot signify the end of the European constructionî and urged that the ‘present crisis’ be seen as an opportunity to “re-engage the European citizen with the aims of the European project.”
The comments come after a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) in Rome during which the Bishops reflected upon the current situation in the European Union.
They are contained in statement issued after their meeting which will be sent to Prime Minister Juncker in the run up to the European Council gathering from 16-17 June in Brussels.
The statement outlines “the importance of the European Union as the foundation of peace and stability which has been enjoyed in Europe for over fifty years.”
“The EUís significance is not waning as time goes on: membership has given hope and direction to the states of Central and Eastern Europe post – 1989, whilst its mission continues to be an inspiration to the rest of the world.” the statement continues.
The Bishops however are calling upon the European to take account of the feelings expressed in the referenda and to foster solutions as ìmembers of a closely linked community – a community which is essential for responding to the pressures of globalisation and problems which cannot be solved singularly by the nation state.”
The statement identifies the need for all citizens of the EU to recognise their responsibility and role within the project, particularly calling upon Catholics to work towards the common European good.
The members of the Executive Committee of COMECE are:
– Bishop Em. Josef Homeyer, Bishop of Hildesheim, Germany (President of COMECE);
– Bishop Adrianus van Luyn SDB, Bishop of Rotterdam, Netherlands (Vice-President);
– Archbishop Hippolyte Simon, Archbishop of Clermont, France (Vice-President);
Bishops urge re-engagement of citizens with ‘European project’
-15/06/05
Catholic Bishops have said that the results of the referenda on a European constitution in France and the Netherlands do ‘not signify the end of the European construction’ and urged that the ‘present crisis’ be seen as an opportunity to “re-engage the European citizen with the aims of the European project.”
The comments come after a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) in Rome during which the Bishops reflected upon the current situation in the European Union.
They are contained in statement issued after their meeting which will be sent to Prime Minister Juncker in the run up to the European Council gathering from 16-17 June in Brussels.
The statement outlines “the importance of the European Union as the foundation of peace and stability which has been enjoyed in Europe for over fifty years.”
“The EU’s significance is not waning as time goes on: membership has given hope and direction to the states of Central and Eastern Europe post – 1989, whilst its mission continues to be an inspiration to the rest of the world.” the statement continues.
The Bishops however are calling upon the European to take account of the feelings expressed in the referenda and to foster solutions as ‘members of a closely linked community – a community which is essential for responding to the pressures of globalisation and problems which cannot be solved singularly by the nation state.”
The statement identifies the need for all citizens of the EU to recognise their responsibility and role within the project, particularly calling upon Catholics to work towards the common European good.
The members of the Executive Committee of COMECE are:
– Bishop Em. Josef Homeyer, Bishop of Hildesheim, Germany (President of COMECE);
– Bishop Adrianus van Luyn SDB, Bishop of Rotterdam, Netherlands (Vice-President);
– Archbishop Hippolyte Simon, Archbishop of Clermont, France (Vice-President);