A vote in conscience

"At a time in which the citizens of Europe are called upon to send new members to the European Parliament, we are all aware that we are experiencing a particularly difficult time in our history. Yet this is also a decisive time for our own future, and for that of our children", states the declaration released by a network of Associations from 13 different European countries that gathered in 2006 under the name "Christian Initiative for Europe (IXE). The Statement in 11 languages, issued Wednesday April 1 in Brussels, calls upon all European citizens, and upon Christians in particular, "to become responsibly involved in the European democratic debate". The appeal is mostly an invitation to vote. The establishment of IXE dates back to 1999 when the Central Committee of German Catholics, ZdK and the Social Weeks of France jointly drew up the Manifesto "For a European Conscience". In the year 2000 a European Working Group was set up that in the year 2006 took the name "Initiatives of Christians for Europe", with the acronym IXE. To date, the IXE Group is made up of representatives from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, and a COMECE representative. Lisbon Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. "Let us enact the Treaty of Lisbon as soon as possible. If Europe is to play its full role on the international stage within the framework of this economic crisis, equipping itself with strong and democratic institutions, we call upon our governments and the citizens of Europe to support the enactment of the Treaty signed in Lisbon by the heads of state and of government. The Treaty confers genuine powers to act and a more solid foundation from which to wage a common search for suitable solutions. In this connection, we welcome the fact that Ireland has agreed to reconsider its negative vote". The appeal refers to the Charter of Fundamental Rights "which is an integral part of the treaty, merges the classic fundamental rights with social rights. In this way, it guarantees access to social security, to social assistance and to housing, among other things. It also guarantees protection of the family, and protection of the rights of children, senior citizens and people with handicaps. It guarantees the right to asylum and protects principles of bioethics – such as the prohibition on reproductive cloning, eugenic practices, the use of the human body for commercial purposes, etc". Finally the IXE declaration underlines that "The treaty protects the status of European Churches as established under the national laws of the respective Member States, recognises the identity and contribution specific to each, and calls upon the Union to maintain an open and regular dialogue with them". Greater solidarity in Europe. "Today each one of us can observe the breakdown of a system dominated by an unrestrained multiplication of financial instruments, and characterised by a lack of regulation, transparency and responsibility on the part of the protagonists.  At the same time, we are witnessing a rebirth of the temptation towards protectionist policies, and even within the heart of the European Union, reflexes of the «every man for himself». To prevent imbalances such as these, we are urgently called upon to place the economy at the service of people – all people. This means holding human work in high esteem, promoting the entrepreneurial spirit, and a return to a role for the state as guardian of the public interest". More respectful of future generations. "Major climate change is underway; its consequences for future generations are obvious, and human responsibility for the change has been established (…).it is an inescapable fact that the only way to overcome climate change is through a reorientation of economic growth to reduce the consumption of energy, and of non-renewable natural resources in general. Only a united Europe is in a position to commit itself to the courageous initiatives that are now indispensable, in spite of the current financial and economic crisis".Demographic challenge and migration. "The third major challenge confronting most of the countries of Europe is the demographic challenge presented by the simultaneous aging and decline in our populations. (…)Today, some three-quarters of the rate of population growth in Europe is the result of international immigration. The phenomenon can be expected to continue" this makes it "essential for our societies to commit themselves to the integration of immigrants, and to fostering diversity". The appeal. "European citizens, let us participate in the elections of June 2009". Since "the task of building the edifice of Europe is a central issue for Europeans, and it is the mission of the Parliament, more than other institutions within the European Community, to embody the citizenry it represents. Never before has the mission of the European Union – to serve as an agent of peace in the region and throughout the world – been as clear as it is today".