Church seeks 'partnership' with Barroso on values

European bishops have called on the President of the European Commission to engage with the Church in a "partnership for change" in order to realise a Europe based on values in areas such as work life, families and research.

Bishops of Comece, a commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of the member states of the European Union, met José Manuel Barroso in Brussels to discuss the role of the Church in consolidating the new Union.

They discussed a wide range of issues including the renewal of the Lisbon Strategy, the ratification process of the Constitutional Treaty and the responsibility of the EU to its neighbours.

The bishops, including Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, voiced their call after reiterating the need for economic success to be a tool to support and strengthen the European social model.

Mr Barroso said the EU and the Church shared very similar values as both were committed to creating unity in diversity. As such, he agreed that a qualitative dialogue and exchange was essential in order to pursue these shared ideals of a Europe united in peace and freedom.

The bishops acknowledged that "the Constitutional Treaty introduces the reforms which are necessary to cope with current challenges inside and outside the European Union".

They stressed the importance of an informed and open debate during the ratification process in the member states.

Acknowledging the engagement and investment of the EU in the Balkans, the bishops underlined the continuing challenges in the areas of reconciliation, stabilisation, governance, the rule of law and the development of a strong civil society. They pointed to the need and readiness of the Church to actively contribute to stabilisation.

They also expressed their conviction that Croatia and the EU should start accession talks in the near future. And given the recent historic events in the Ukraine, the bishops welcomed the EU's response to the change of administration and moves to encourage closer ties between the Union and the Ukraine.

They welcomed the EU's commitment to achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals and called upon President Barroso to lead the international community to ensure solidarity with the world's poor, both within the EU and beyond its borders, particularly in developing countries.

They also stressed the importance of solidarity in the new financial perspectives for 2007-2013 between the more prosperous and poorer EU member states.

Mr Barroso acknowledged the important role the Church has played throughout the history of European integration and welcomed the publication of a theological reflection on European construction published by Comece entitled The Future Of The European Union And The Responsibility Of Catholics.

Both parties supported the renewal of the Barcelona Process, particularly as a tool to enhancing peace in the Middle East.

The bishops expressed their willingness to engage in an inter-religious dialogue in order to complement the Barcelona Process. Mr Barroso identified the need for cooperation between the EU and the USA in this area and welcomed Comece's proposal for a seminar to be held in Brussels between bishops from the EU and the USA in September.