On the occasion of the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty due to take place on June 12th, the Irish Bishops published a pastoral letter named "Nurturing a community of values". Ireland is the only European country to have launched a referendum about the Treaty, which aims at strengthening the European Union and all the most important parties are in favour of which. The letter mentions that the citizens have a duty to get information about the new European Constitution and go to the polls, and that the referendum poll should not be used as a sign of protest. "The Lisbon Treaty should be built around values", write the bishops, "a community that is only based on personal economic profit will not last. Europe is a civilisation, and it is important for it to promote an ethics of global solidarity". There are Christian humanistic values that compose the heart of the Lisbon Treaty, acknowledge the prelates, but unfortunately there is no express recognition of the Christian heritage of Europe. Quoting Benedict XVI’s comments on the Christian roots of Europe, the letter repeats that "it is a challenge for all of us today to understand how we can contribute in the best possible way to a new extended Europe built on common values, of which the future generations will be proud".
