Comprehensive leadership

The European Church adopts the “social agenda” of EU institutions, and will continue to support the European Integration Process in “a constructive way”. Moreover, COMECE – Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, with headquarters in Brussels, a block away from the EU building) – “encourages the efforts aimed at increased unity” between peoples and States of the Old Continent, in accordance with the words of Pope Francis pronounced during his visit in Strasbourg at the end of past November. That was the climate marking the three-day plenary meeting celebrated by COMECE March 18-20. The bishops equally underlined “serious concerns” in the economic and social realms, (notably youth unemployment), migration, security (fight on terror) and various ethical issues, starting with the defence of life and of the family, although the latter two issues – the bishops pointed out – do not fall within the province of the EU but of member States. Appointment in Paris. The plenary meeting, which opened at the Berlaymont building with the participation of European Commission leaders, was marked by the renewal of internal offices. At the lead of European bishops, with a three-year mandate, was re-elected Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich-Freising. The vice-Presidents are no longer 4 but 2, and also in this case the previous posts were reconfirmed – Msgr. Jean Kockerols, auxiliary bishop of Malines-Bruxelles, and Msgr. Gianni Ambrosio, bishop of Piacenza-Bobbio. During the Assembly the bishops broached several issues. On top of the agenda figured an assessment of the working programme of Juncker’s governing board. Among the “programmatic priorities” announced by COMECE figure climate change and environmental protection, paradigms of the economic development model, of its “sustainability”, lifestyles, solidarity at European level and attention to the global context. Thus it is no coincidence that the next COMECE assembly will take place from October 28-30 in Paris, as announced by Cardinal Reinhard Marx in the closing remarks of the plenary meeting. “We are very interested in the theme of climate change and environmental protection”, for this reason a meeting was tabled in a different venue, as in December Paris is set to host the International Climate Conference (COP 21). Ethical themes and human rights. Card. Marx clarified that the bishops’ assembly addressed the labour and social impact of the crisis, discussed about migrations and asylum, Ukraine, Libya and Tunisia as well as the TTIP – the Treaty between the EU and the United States on trade and investment, currently in its negotiating phase, which bears evident geostrategic implications and repercussions in terms of welfare and employment. Marx pointed out that there are ongoing relations with the US episcopate regarding a “joint declaration” on this topic. COMECE also underlined the “identity and the values” characterising the EU. This Europe – is the opinion emerged in the bishops’ contribution – must clarify the “sense of solidarity” among member Countries, responding with unity of intentions to the new challenges involving various sectors. Among them, cardinal Marx recalled ethical themes, human rights, migrations. The highlight of the plenary was the speech by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, who placed special emphasis on the relationship with the Muslim world. The bishops equally broached a set of topical issues such as the EU enlargement process towards the Balkans and the situation of Greece. To that regard, Mons. Jean Kockerols said: “Grexit”, namely, Greece’s exit from the euro currency, “is not a solution” to the Country’s problems. New “narrations”. Father Patrick Daly, COMECE Secretary General, at the end of the meeting recalled “the work that is being carried out by European bishops in the framework of Art. 17 of the Lisbon Treaty” for a structured and open dialogue between religious community and community bodies. This task is carried out with deep commitment by the permanent Secretary of Comece. Mons. Gianni Ambrosio shared the details on the opening session of the plenary. “The meeting between COMECE bishops and EU Commission leaders” was “interesting, relaxed and also very open”; he told SIR Europe. “We listened to the Executive’s programs and proposals” on “the challenges that Europe is called to address. Now we hope they will turn into action and results”. “During the meeting with the Commission – the bishop added – I was positively impressed by Timmermans’ emphasis on the themes of tolerance, freedom, solidarity, and his focus on the quest for a different understanding” of the integration process, in order to clarity “the identity of contemporary Europe” whilst strengthening the relationship with European citizens.