For the good of everyone” “” “

Solidarity is the way to achieve enlargement in practice: it is the “basic vocation of the Union and must have priority over the objective of economic development”: the appeal, addressed not only at Europe’s rulers but, more especially, “at all European citizens”, is made by the bishops of the 25 member countries of the EU in a document issued to mark EU enlargement on 1st May. “Solidarity is the soul of the European Union”: that’s the title of the statement issued by COMECE, Commission of the episcopates of the European Community. It is aimed at making a contribution “to the ongoing process for the adoption of a new constitutional treaty. SOLIDARITY: EXPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH. The document consists of three parts. In the first, “the concept of solidarity is presented as the fundamental element of the Union, consecrated in the Treaties and examined in the light of the social teaching of the Church”. In the second part, “we reaffirm – declare the Catholic bishops led by the German Josef Homeyer – the need to foster solidarity in the Union”, keeping the doors open to possible new members. The third part is expressly dedicated to solidarity among the Twenty-Five, with a courageous insistence on the need to equip the Community with an appropriate financial system to promote economic and social development in the new member states. In their preface, the European bishops declare that “priority needs to be given to the community interest” for the future of the continent, and that this “must take priority over national interests”. The bishops equally emphasize the need to extend projects of solidarity to the whole world, as part of a wider programme of support for development and peace. This is followed by an appeal to believers: “For Christians solidarity is the expression of their faith”. Citing the papal encyclical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, the bishops recall that solidarity represents “the firm and constant determination to work for the common good, that is, for the good of each and everyone, because we are truly responsible for everyone”. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOREST NATIONS. A large part of the document is dedicated to the study of solidarity as it emerges in the fundamental treaties of the Union. This is then placed in the context of the social teaching of the Church. It cannot be divorced from the principle of subsidiarity. COMECE insists on the application of solidarity in the framework of a “political union”, which must assume its responsibility to neighbouring countries and to the other regions of the world that are still suffering from poverty, hunger and disease, and that in turn could generate emigration, social discontent, wars or terrorism. Given the difficulties currently faced by the World Trade Organization, an explicit appeal is also made for particular efforts to be made “in trade policy so as to give the poorest countries, in the framework of multilateral cooperation, a fair opportunity for development through the opening up of European markets”. “EU BUDGET AND COMMON RESOURCES MUST BE INCREASED”. The statement devotes a whole section to observations and suggestions referring to the Community budget for the period 2007-2013. “Economic disparities will be accentuated in the 25-member Europe – predict the bishops -, but cultural diversity will be enriched”. To mitigate the negative repercussions of the opening of frontiers, and enable the new “members” to improve their domestic economic and social situation, “current financial resources need to be reviewed”. In any case “the European budget will have to be increased”. This is a position in line with that supported by the European Commission (expressly cited in the document) on the EU budget for the next few years. It also conforms to article 3 of the first part of the draft Constitution approved by the Convention, which affirms: “The Union shall promote economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among member states”. This is followed by various specific proposals. Lastly, the document makes a particular suggestion, of an ethical and spiritual character: “We invite the political authorities to identify a way of honouring jointly, within the enlarged Union, the memory of the victims of wars and of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century”.