More solidarity and openness ” “

An exchange of views with the President of the European Commission Barroso, an evening reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its foundation, and the definition of two important documents on the process of integration: the spring plenary assembly of COMECE (Commission of the episcopates of the European Community), held in Brussels from 9 to 11 March, reviewed the situation of the 25-member EU and the possible contribution of believers. WIDE-RANGING DIALOGUE WITH Barroso. “With President Barroso we have had an open and frank discussion and spoke of various questions”, said Msgr. Josef Homeyer, who heads COMECE. The bishop emeritus of Hildesheim (Germany) explained that “we discussed the Constitutional Treaty and the application of article 52 that defines commitment to a structured dialogue between the Union and the religious communities. For our part we expressed our appreciation for the constitutional text as a whole, and our hope that it would be ratified by the member states. But we also noted the Constitution’s silence about the Christian roots and heritage of Europe”. Homeyer cited, in this regard, the new COMECE document with the title “The Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe – Elements for an evaluation”. “With the head of the Executive – he added – we also discussed the renewal of the Lisbon Strategy, to which we recently devoted a wide-ranging reflection which calls for a reinforcement of the European social model”. The issues touched on in the meeting at the Palais Berlaymont, headquarters of the Commission, also included the relations between the EU and neighbouring countries and “the international role of the Twenty-Five, especially towards the poorest nations”. SOCIAL COHESION, SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES. There was also agreement of views between the representatives of the Bishops’ Conferences and the institutions in Brussels on the EU contribution to the Millennium Development Goals indicated by the UNO for combating poverty, disease and lack of rights in the poor countries. In this regard, the bishops of COMECE also had a meeting with the Commissioner for humanitarian aid Louis Michel. The bishops insisted on the need to “define a strategy of concrete aid to the poorest states, within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals”. They also appealed to the European countries “to work in a spirit of solidarity”, with particular regard for those who leave the Third World “to seek refuge in the European Union”. It was left to Bishop Adrianus van Luyn of Rotterdam (Netherlands) to explain the COMECE position on some particularly topical issues that are currently under discussion within the EU institutions. First of all, van Luyn re-affirmed “full support for the Lisbon Strategy, essential – he said – for pursuing social cohesion and sustainable development at the continental level”, and referred to the recent document of COMECE on the matter. “We also support the Stability Pact – added van Luyn -, which may act as a guarantee for future generations”. On the other hand, the bishop insisted on the need “for an overall European strategy in support of the family” and of research. EUROPEAN INTEGRATION, rOLE OF BELIEVERS. The COMECE Assembly also gave rise to the final version of its document on “The Future of the European Union and the Responsibility of Catholics”: “It is – explained Archbishop Hippolyte Simon of Clermont (France) – a more comprehensive and wide-ranging development of the text ‘Let us Open our Hearts’ issued in June 2003, on which we gathered opinions, interventions and contributions, also in view of the enlargement of the EU to Eastern Europe”, which “requires a profound reflection on our common memory, an effort of cultural understanding, and the contribution of the spiritual riches of religions in supporting the process of political union”. Msgr. Simon pointed out that “the work of drafting the document took into due account the Church’s social teaching and John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation ‘Ecclesia in Europa’, to interpret to the best this historic phase and find elements and values to be placed at the service of the European common good”. Bishops of the Churches of Eastern and Western Europe participated in the COMECE plenary assembly. Representatives of the candidate countries were also present. “The Assembly – added Msgr. Vaclav Màly, auxiliary bishop of Prague – called for new enlargements of the Community. Of course, the European Union has various limitations, but it is an indispensable means for bringing the nations and peoples of the continent closer together”. In this regard, “the bishops look with confidence to the accession of Croatia in the near future and hope for concrete measures to strengthen rapprochement with the Balkans and the Ukraine”.