Although necessary, the Lisbon Treaty is not enough "to solve the crisis of European politics" which "is the fruit of the crisis of the European citizen" and more generally of the "crisis of meaning of our time". To do this, we must instead "not confine faith to the fenced preserve of the private sphere, nor just admit the contribution of religions to the most serious debates of society, but rather welcome and support it". This was said this afternoon in Brussels by mgr. Adrianus van Luyn, bishop of Rotterdam and president of the Commission of the EU Bishops Conferences (Comece), in the opening speech for the plenary meeting (until 7 March) about: "Respect of human dignity and protection of Creation The embodiment of the common good by the European policies of the XXI century". In going through the main events that have affected the EU over the last few months, mgr. Van Luyn explained that "Kosovo, climate protection, intercultural dialogue and the Lisbon Treaty" will be the focus of the meeting. Even with some reservations, he highlighted, the Lisbon Treaty "has been able to adjust the operation of the Union to the rising number of its member states, to rationalise the EU and bring it closer to a democratic ideal", making it simpler for the future "to explain its operation to the citizens". (continued)
