“The value of the European Constitution will especially be an educational one”, in the sense that it “will permit the sentiments of unity to be fostered and have a strong symbolic value”. That’s the view of Theodore Fortsakis, professor of law at the national University of Athens, who also emphasizes the importance of unity “between Christians of East and West” since “many elements that belong to the Eastern Churches may reinforce the foundations of Europe”. Greece, for example, is one of the rare European countries that makes any reference at all to religion in its Constitution. “For a Greek it’s inconceivable to have a State without religious elements. This fact has never been challenged or contested by any political party, not even on the occasion of the recent reform of the Greek Constitution”. According to Fortsakis too, “today and for the years to come Christianity will remain a predominant factor that no one will be able to ignore. Indeed, it will be reinforced with the entry into the EU of the countries of Eastern Europe, where religious values are stronger”. According to Fortsakis, “European citizenship will not be in conflict with the various forms of national citizenship” so long as it be “directed at a content founded on some fundamental juridical elements, such as the various European liberties. It will then have a universal value such as largely to overcome the national values. The nations, nonetheless, still have an important role to play in this Europe, which needs to be united in full respect for diversity”.
