“A reference to the contribution of Christianity in the Preamble to the European Constitution remains essential, and an allusion to God would be appropriate as a guarantee of the freedom and dignity of human beings”. This is the message contained in a note from the executive committee of the Commission of Episcopates of the European Community (Comece). The note, released on 19 June, evaluates the projected Constitution of the European Union as presented at Salonica. According to the COMECE, “the final draft of the Preamble is an improvement on the original proposal made by the Praesidium”. The bishops write: “We continue to believe that a reference to God is appropriate and necessary in this constitutional text, and that it could be added without discriminating against anyone”. They also express a favourable opinion on the “draft of art. 51 on Churches and religious communities”.
