Despite the uncertainties

“Behind politics lies metapolitics, which transcends party lines and forms the foundation of the projects and actions that as a whole tend to the realization of the common good in Europe”. From this consideration, enunciated by the bishops of COMECE (Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community) who concluded their 38th plenary assembly in Brussels on 7 March, springs a renewed appeal to Christians to give “a noble significance to the process of building the European Union”, despite the uncertainties, the difficulties and the scepticism. Metapolitics, explained Bishop Adrianus van Luyn, President of COMECE, “provides a basis of values on which a more constructive and modern dialogue between non-believers and Catholics can be founded. And it is thanks to this dialogue, moreover, that people will finally understand that Catholics with their stance on various issues such as life, the family, religious freedom and freedom of education do not defend partisan or obsolete values, but modern values that belong to everyone”. Essential values. The bishops made their appeal after a debate on the Treaty of Lisbon which, according to COMECE, “asks us to reflect on the essential values that ought to guide with realism the future of European construction through a more convinced involvement of citizens, and more concrete policies aimed in the first place at respect for human dignity and safeguard of the creation”. As regards human dignity, the bishops stressed “it must remain central in the debates on the reform of schools and universities and in the field of European research policy”. With Jérôme Vignon (European Commission, General Directorate of Employment) the bishops discussed the low wages of workers without professional qualifications, the repercussions of the emigration of the most highly skilled personnel from their own countries of origin, and respect for Sunday as a day of rest within the working week. A strong signal. “The safeguard of the creation is a responsibility we have to the poor and to the new generations: the former are already grievously suffering from the negative effects of climate change, while the latter risk being lumbered with a legacy of problems that defy solution”, said Franz Fischler, former European Commissioner and President of the eco-social Forum Europe, during the press conference held in Brussels at the end of the COMECE plenary assembly, dedicated this year to the theme “Respecting human dignity and safeguarding the creation: incarnation of the common good in the EU policies for the 21st century”. Fischler, who chairs the ad hoc reflection group set up by COMECE on “Climate change and Christian lifestyle” that will present a report on the question in September, added that, to counter climate change, “political and economic decisions are needed that are able to change situations of grave injustice present in many areas of the world. In this universal commitment the contribution of Christians is of extreme importance, but at the same time awareness needs to be raised and skills reinforced”. Europe “needs to send out a strong signal” and, for this, he added, “the commitment of COMECE, which is the commitment of the Catholic Churches in all the European countries, may be of great effectiveness”. In this perspective, concluded Monsignor Noel Treanor, general secretary of COMECE, “ecumenical dialogue also plays a part. It needs to be increasingly encouraged”. An indispensable place. “On the Treaty of Lisbon and more generally on the European reality there’s still some degree of ignorance, but as Christians we cannot exonerate ourselves from the task of saying that Europe represents an indispensable place in which to live and bear witness to our faith today and thus be at the side of all those who are searching for truth, beauty and justice”, declared the Most Rev. Piotr Jarecki, auxiliary bishop of Warsaw (Poland), one of the Vice-Presidents of COMECE. “As Christian, and in particular Catholic, Churches, we have accompanied the growth of the European Community ever since its birth and our participation in this process cannot be weakened or reduced. This is especially because those non-negotiable principles to which Benedict XVI appeals are more than ever at the centre of the cultural debate and of political decisions”. The same question was addressed by Bishop Giuseppe Merisi of Lodi (Italy), delegate of the Italian Bishops’ Conference to COMECE. “The reflection we have begun during this assembly – he said – is in the agenda of all the European Churches and deserves to be deepened. In this way the proposal of a Social Week or Conference of European Catholics is gaining ground: both COMECE and the CCEE (Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences) have included it among their future commitments”. Lastly, the bishops expressed their deep gratitude to Monsignor Treanor, outgoing general secretary, whose service “has contributed to make the Catholic Church a real partner in dialogue with the European institutions”. Msgr. Treanor is about to leave the post he has filled with distinction since 1993: he will be ordained Bishop of Down and Connor, in Northern Ireland, on 29 June.