Religions on Europe’s side ” “

“Faced with the crisis in Europe we feel stronger than ever how much we need the values of solidarity and equity”. “The religious communities have an extremely important role in addressing many of these pressing situations” that includes “bringing citizens back at the heart of our common project of European integration”. José Manuel Barroso, President of the EU Commission, chaired the meeting between EU representatives and religious leaders. The core of the meeting focused on the role of citizens along the path of integration. Focusing on the common good. The meeting in the Berlaymont building, seat of the EU Executive, provided the opportunity for an exchange of views on topical issues that range from the financial crisis to situations of poverty in European countries, to the need for “building bridges”, linking the EU to the rest of the world. At the same time – as evidenced by twenty representatives of Christian denominations, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism present at the Berlaymont building – the reflections focused on European values, fundamental rights, the historical and religious roots of the continent, the respect for freedom of religion in Europe and beyond EU borders. Participants agreed that priority should be given to young people, workers and families who are suffering from the severe effects of the recession, while joint efforts are needed in the fight against all forms of discrimination involving the faithful of Christian churches. “I very much appreciated the contributions made by all the participants, always with a common purpose to serve the common good” in Europe, Barroso said during the meeting. “At this difficult time, in which we experience the burden of the crisis, we need to act together according to criteria of equity and solidarity, valuing our history and combating all forms of extremism and populism” that are on the rise. “We are confident that the Churches can bring an essential contribution” to the European project, interpreting the feelings, expectations and social needs of citizens.Shared values. The reflections shared by religious leaders “help us in the construction of the European building”. EU Council president Herman Van Rompuy underlined the value of the dialogue with religious communities. “We are reflecting together on how to reinvigorate European citizenship”, in full awareness that the crisis “that we are experiencing is not only economic and financial but also moral and spiritual”. In this sense, the history, the culture and the “values we share – said Van Rompuy – that include the respect of the human person and mutual understanding” are the common ground “for joint action” while respecting the reciprocal spheres. In order to bring people closer to the “common home” “we must also deliver results”, showing that “Europe is part of the solution of our problems”. Religious representatives agreed that “we need more Europe to combat poverty, to promote the recovery from the ongoing crisis and restore confidence to European citizens”. “Human dignity and the rights of all men and women should always be at the heart of our actions”, participants said in a closing meeting with the international press -. “We want to encourage policymakers to continue pursuing the path of European integration”.Christian heritage. The Catholic Church was represented in the high level meeting by Archbishop Manuel Clemente, the Patriarch of Lisbon, Msgr Jean Kockerols, auxiliary Bishop of Brussels and COMECE Vice-President and by Msgr Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronites and COMECE delegate of Cyprus. In their panel speeches, the bishops highlighted shared themes. First of all the bishops reaffirmed the historical, cultural and spiritual role of Christianity in the shaping of contemporary Europe and the concept of citizenship. “The most important characteristic is that in a Christian understanding of citizenship, rights must be balanced by duties, our entitlements must be paired with out civic responsibilities”, the bishops said. Christians “should strive to create a society which is inclusive, open and particularly sensitive to those whose full rights are not being respected”. Christian faithful are equally asked to undertake a major effort “to inject the notion of citizenship with its proper spiritual dimension, essential if Europe is to find its soul”. Father Patrick Daly, COMECE general secretary, said: “the Catholic Church supports the European project” and “is involved in its implementation. As stated by the President of COMECE, Card. Marx, during our recent meeting with the Holy Father, we have the task of transmitting a positive idea” of European integration, promoting it among the faithful and citizens of Europe.