Representatives of the Christian laity from all over Europe met in Cracow (Poland) from 7 to 9 March to debate the theme “Overcoming the crisis, succeeding in enlargement”. At the meeting, promoted by the Committee for the Social Weeks in France and the Committee for German Catholics (Zdk), in liaison with the Polish publishing group Znak, a declaration on the future of Europe was approved. “The enlargement of the European Union is an historic act of reconciliation and reunification of the peoples of Europe says the document and the dual process of political development and geographical enlargement must be successfully completed. The dream of the founding fathers, the union of Europe in peace and freedom, may now become a reality”. For this reason, the document continues, “we wish to take a stance in favour of a democratic Constitution set in a federal perspective. The reinforcement of the Union’s political unity is an essential condition for the success of enlargement. As Christians engaged in public life and future citizens of a renewed and enlarged European Unity, we hope for a Constitution founded on the values that may be shared and defended by all Europeans and urge that the religious and cultural roots that have contributed to forming the identity of Europe be recognized in its Preamble”. “We acknowledge the document recognizes that the European Convention is trying to reach a consensus that may overcome the particular interests of the individual governments and take into consideration the proposals made by the Churches and the Christian lay organizations. We also support the integration of the European Charter of fundamental human rights in the Constitution so that it may have legal force”. The Declaration ends with the request for an “institutional guarantee of the rights of the Churches and religious communities, following the example of what is already happening within the individual countries, in such a way that such rights be not reduced or reviewed following policies or decisions adopted by the Union”.
