Support for the European Constitution, in spite of “shortcomings of various kind”; open doors to Turkey, so long as she fully respects religious freedom; renewed attention to Ukraine, in which a strong “aspiration for Europe” is felt: these were some of the key points of the address given by Cardinal Camillo Ruini to the permanent Council of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) held in Bari on Monday, 17 January. Cardinal Ruini emphasized in particular some issues that are a focus of attention in the institutional seats of the EU at the present time, and expressed the hope for “a decisive and sincere effort to consolidate and reinforce European unity”, while subordinating it to “the line of subsidiarity”. According to the president of the CEI, the signing of the Constitutional Treaty “is a step of great importance in the long, arduous but fruitful process of integration which has now expanded to the majority of European nations”: the limitations of the text “do not alter this basic evaluation”. Ruini added that “now it is indispensable to proceed to its ratification by the individual countries, but also to a concrete implementation that may turn to account its positive and dynamic aspects”. Among the priorities for the future of the Union, the cardinal underlined the importance of tackling “the new historical phase that has just begun, characterized by the emergence of new protagonists on the world scene, while at the same time having a clear awareness of Europe’s own spiritual, cultural and civil identity, undoubtedly complex, but not equivocal or anonymous”.
