Faith in the future” “” “

“European integration is more than a simple economic and political option: it is synonymous with sustainable peace, both from the internal point of view, through new forms of social and political cooperation, and from the external point of view, through the EU’s contribution to global development and conflict resolution”. So say the bishops of COMECE, the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community, in a joint declaration entitled “Building citizens’ faith in the future of Europe”, released on the eve of the summit of the European Council to be held in Laeken, near Brussels on 14-15 December 2001. During their summit, the leaders of the European Union will face the task of having to fix the timetable and the agenda of the process that will lead to the reform of the EU’s Treaties, which will be prepared by the intergovernmental conference in 2004. The bishops of COMECE support the setting up of the Convention, composed of delegates of the European Parliament and national Parliaments, of the European Commission and governments of the member States and of the candidate countries, with the task of submitting proposals for the reform of the EU. Below we give a brief résumé of the contribution sent by the European bishops to the EU and made public on 5 December. The power of dialogue instead of the use of force. “The recent dramatic events on the world stage – point out the bishops of COMECE – demonstrate the importance of a united Europe, capable of expressing itself with one voice alone and contributing to the global common good by bringing its own experience to the resolution of problems through dialogue, cooperation, solidarity and the promotion of human rights, rather than through the use of force”. COMECE recalls, in this regard, that the Catholic Church has accompanied and supported the process of European integration ever since its origins, recognizing the importance of the values and principles on which it is based, such as “the dignity of the human person, solidarity and subsidiarity”. A Europe still too remote from citizens. Nonetheless, point out the bishops, “in spite of its constant contribution to peace and serenity in Europe and its commitment to the promotion of development, justice and freedom everywhere in the world, the European Union still remains too remote for many of its citizens; it is a little understood institution, and at times perceived as even inhuman and discredited. Too often, both governments and citizens seem to consider it as a mere market through which to obtain a profit and protect their own national interests, rather than a community of values that promotes reciprocal respect, justice and solidarity; a task that would require their full participation and a contribution at all levels”. Hence the appeal to faith that the bishops address to the citizens of Europe: “Faith in the values and in the objectives of European integration, faith in the procedures of the European institutions, faith in those responsible for their application”. Subsidiarity and democracy. The bishops also appeal for solidarity to be expressed to the States seeking EU membership, by “inviting them to take part in the work of the Convention”. At the same time, they urge that the principle of subsidiarity be respected, “with a view to an effective participation of European citizens in the European democratic process”. It is a principle – they stress – “that ensures that the right balance is struck between the European institutions – which promote the common good – and the national and local governments”. To this end they emphasize the importance of the participation of national parliamentarians in the Convention. They also ask that the regional assemblies, local public assemblies and organizations of civil society be involved in the process of consultation, and that the role and criteria for their participation be defined. The bishops of COMECE ask the Episcopal Conferences of the member States and the candidate countries to “reflect on the future of the European Union” and appeal to all the citizens of Europe to take an interest in the work of the Convention. Patrizia Caiffa