european elections" "
In a press release issued today, the German Episcopal Conference adopts a stance on the forthcoming European elections, urging electors to “directly influence the future development of the European Union”. “Ethical questions are becoming ever more important at the European level”, declare the bishops, emphasising that Europe must have “a policy based on Christian principles transcending party divides”. “The protection of human rights, the protection of life, the protection of marriage and the family, together with respect for the creation and solidarity to the disadvantaged in our societies and in the poor regions of the world, must remain at the basis of European policy, in future too”, says the communiqué. “Europe must recognise its own common roots, which include the Christian faith”, stress the bishops, appealing to the future elected members of the European Parliament to pledge themselves to a European Constitution “that would specifically recall the Christian roots of Europe in its preamble” and also expressly asking for a “reference to responsibility before God”. The Bishops’ Conference also acknowledges the fact that “the majority of States at the heart of Europe have been admitted to the European Union as the most important political institution of our continent”. This, they affirm, “represents an important step towards a Europe that grows in unity”, and that breathes “with two lungs”, as hoped for by John Paul II.
