Only if EU is united

On the occasion of the upcoming European elections (June 4-7), the COMECE Bishops (www.comece.org), in conjunction with lay associations represented by IXE (Christians’ Initiative for Europe – www.initiative-ixe.eu), launched a call to vote to European citizens. “Building a better European home” is the title of the statement issued by the Bishops on March 20. The document draws attention on the fact that these elections are an opportunity to confirm the development of Europe as “a project of hope”. Accordingly, the European Union – “a reliable home” – endeavours to grant solidarity and stability to its Member States. Hence, citizens have both the right and duty to take part in European Parliament elections (June 4-7). The European Parliament is the recipient of requests that have always been conveyed by Church dignitaries and by Christian faithful committed in the social and political realms. The Bishops’ declaration summarizes these requests in eight points that can be viewed as an ethical code of European policies: respecting human life, supporting the family, encouraging social rights, founding the organization of the economy on specific values, promoting justice, giving tokens of solidarity, preserving the Creation, promoting peace in the world. The layout and requests forwarded in IXE’s appeal, that bears the title: “Addressing contemporary crises and challenges thanks to a more united Europe, in greater solidarity and openness to the world”, coincides with the Bishops’ declaration. The statement equally illustrates the underlying reasons for the determined continuation of unity policy in Europe, viewed as the recipient of a democratic dimension enabling its efficiency. For this reason the Treaty of Lisbon must be enforced immediately. Globalization, and notably the recent negative events experienced in the financial and economic sectors that took advantage of globalization’s tools leading to adverse developments, demand the modernization and strengthening of the European model of social market economy, that brings together economic efficiency and social justice, and is based on solidarity and equal opportunities for all. It is the most appropriate globalization model that Europeans can offer to their world partners. Climate changes, its causes and consequences, remind us that “Creation was given to us by God and that we must be its keepers and responsible users”. Last but not least, the living conditions of future generations are at stake. Also in this case it’s a world challenge. However: “Only united Europe is in the conditions of undertaking courageous but necessary initiatives despite the ongoing financial and economic crisis”. In addition to globalization and climate changes, the IXE appeal refers to demographic growth to clarify why and how united Europe is necessary. In order to overcome these challenges it’s necessary to mobilize various political sectors: health and politics, as well as educational and labour policies, which mostly involve the family. Generosity is required also vis à vis the youth, for whom necessary opportunities ought to be provided; towards the old people, to whom must be given the possibility of putting to worth their experiences; and towards immigrants, to whom a better future is provided by positive integration within European societies. Every Christian and every citizen of the European Union has many reasons and many possibilities to participate in the political life by casting their vote, in order not to miss their “appointment with history”.