"An extremely significant vote". Mgr. Giuseppe Merisi, bishop of Lodi and representative for the Italian Bishops Conference to Comece (Commission of the EU’s Bishops Conferences) in Brussels, comments for SIR the vote with which the Chambers ratified the Lisbon Treaty. Merisi expresses "the wish that the vote of the Italian Parliament on the ratification of the Treaty may mean one step forward in the direction that has been pointed out so many times by Comece, considering the European Union’s commitment to promoting debate, democracy and dialogue in society and among the citizens as well". In addition, the bishop believes the perspective that "a transparent, regular dialogue with the Churches and religious communities may be fully accomplished" is essential. "Always hoping he adds that the Christian roots of our continent may be testified and acknowledged".
