” “Drawing attention to Slovenia’s six months’ presidency of the EU and supporting the Government in this respect. This is the intention of the Slovenian Bishops (Ces), as written in a letter to the congregation, which was read at yesterday’s Masses. "By taking over the Presidency of the EU write the Bishops , our State commits itself to something that is far more important than any other task the Slovenian people have ever taken on during their history. When, years ago, we decided to join the EU, the Slovenian Church supported our decision. Again, today, we want to support the State". The Ces wishes that, over these six months, Slovenia will take care of "the fundamental values so as to spread them where peace ad the respect of human rights are threatened, and of the protection of the environment". But the next six months are also an "opportunity to look beyond the internal affairs of Slovenia": "we are called to feel and think in a European way. Then, we will see how much we are the prisoners of the past, which hinders our development and limits our freedom". "The task that the Government will have to face demands prayer and solidarity with those who will have to carry out such job. Europe is the carrier of hope. But only if economic success and political competitiveness are conditional on the values of respect, solidarity, justice and peace, we as Europeans will look confidently to the future". ” “
