” “"Not less Europe, but more Europe, to respond to the fears, to people’s questions, to the challenges of time". With these words, Michel Camdessus, president of the French Social Weeks, ended the workshop of Comece (Commission of the EU Bishops Conference) in the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome that Comece is going to celebrate in Rome on March 25th 2007. "Europe needs brave politicians who know how to take decisions, who do not wait for the polling results to take responsibility, and who take risks in the search for the common good", added Philippe Schouthette, former representative of Belgium to the EU. This opinion is shared by Noël Treanor, secretary general of Comece, who highlighted that "Christians, at the most exacting times of European history, have given a contribution of hope and trust thrugh factual, shared ideas and commitment". Commemorating the Treaty of Rome, concluded mgr. Hippolyte Simon, archbishop of Clermont Ferrand and member of Comece, means giving continuity to John Paul II’s thought that "Europe means openness, and today especially Christians are called to use the virtues of openness which are not abstractionisms but choices of dialogue, tolerance, justice and peace". The works of Clermont Ferrand will be resumed by the plenary meeting of Comece due in November, while many initiatives will come from the local bodies with the assistance of Comece.” “
