” “The European bishops “have always been concerned about ethical-anthropological issues” so that “the decisions and directives of the European Union may promote common good, the life and dignity of man” in agreement “with the invitation of Cei and its president, cardinal Ruini, to respect the principle of subsidiarity”. Mgr. Giuseppe Merisi, bishop of Lodi and Cei delegate to Comece (Commission of EU Bishoprics), speaks of the position taken by Italy at the EU about supporting European research in stem cells. Merisi states to SIR that, “about the research programs that involve human embryos”, last year Comece had published a statement called “EU funding of research and ethics”; the text, which is referred to by last night’s release, “already expressed concern about the potential violation of fundamental ethic principles”. In addition, over the last few weeks, Comece “has contacted the bishops representing the national bishops conferences so that they would take action as appropriate in the run-up to the next debates within the EU institutions”. “I could add concludes mgr. Merisi that many a player is wishing that more associations and movements may be set up within the EU to act as places of guidance and testimony, like that that has been established in Italy by the Scienza e Vita Committee”.
