A "big European social conference", "on the model of the social weeks held in Germany, Italy and France," to discuss about "solidarity and Europe." This initiative was announced today by Father Piotr Mazurkiewicz, Secretary General of COMECE, at the end of the European bishops’ Plenary Meeting. It will be held in the Polish city of Danzica from 8 to 11 October 2009 and will deal with the social relations that shall bind together people from Europe and other people across the world. Meeting the journalists at the end of the Plenary Meeting, Mgr Adrianus Van Luyn, COMECE President and bishop of Rotterdam, referred to the economic and financial crisis that "unveils a crisis of values". This crisis "calls for a courageous Christian witness" and "a greater responsibility from the faithful," since there are things that are more important than money." COMECE confirmed its request to consider Sunday, in the draft of the Working Time Directive, "as a work-free day to reconcile work and family life, to establish and maintain social ties and to pursue spiritual needs," explained Mgr Piotr Jarecki, Vice-president of COMECE. (continued)
