COMECE 'regrets' lack of reference to God and Christianity in EU Constitution

It is regrettable that the preamble to the EU Constitutional Treaty does not refer to God, or Christianity in an explicit way, said the secretariat of the Commission of Bishops' Conferences of the EU (COMECE), adding, however, that it does mention religious heritage for the first time.

While commenting that it was not sufficient, Henrik Lesaar from the secretariat pointed out that religious heritage and Churches have been introduced into the EU primary law and that this novelty meant progress has been marked.

When the occasion to introduce constitutional reforms arise, it would be possible to fight for further improvements to the text, said Mr Lesaar who was yesterday addressing a seminar on "The European Union Constitutional Treaty: a Christian Reflection", organised by the Commission for the Church in Malta and Europe in collaboration with the Malta-EU Information Centre, the delegation of the European Commission and the European Parliament office in Malta.

Religious freedom, the dialogue between Churches and the Union, as well as the protection of the juridical status of the Churches in the member states - the clear appeal of the late Pope John Paul II on behalf of the Church to those drawing up the Constitutional Treaty - have been introduced and represented a breakthrough for church and society, he said.

The Pope had also called for a reference to the religious and, in particular, the Christian heritage of Europe.

The Constitutional Treaty acknowledges the religious heritage of Europe and recognises the Churches and their society, while its texts also reflect core principles of Christian anthropology - the secretariat said in its document, 'Elements for an Evaluation', encouraging Christians to assume their responsibility to put the Constitutional Treaty into practice and make it work.

The COMECE has followed the constitutional debate from the onset and emphatically advocated the appeal of the Church to the members of the European Convention, heads of state and governments.

Yesterday's conference was "organised in view of the request of the Bishops' Conferences to promote discussion on the Constitution in the light of our faith," said commission chairman, Fr Vanni Xuereb.

The idea is to show how much the Constitutional Treaty reflects the values of Europe's Christian heritage, he said, adding that barely any discussion was taking place on the subject in Malta, particularly due to the fact that its ratification would be taking place by vote in Parliament.

The commission, which is in the process of being reconstituted, was established by the Episcopal Conference to follow the development of relations between Malta and European institutions, Fr Xuereb explained.

Paying tribute to Pope John Paul II, who was "truly a prophet of our times, particularly where Europe is concerned," Fr Xuereb quoted the late Pontiff as saying that "a Europe which disavowed its past, which denied the fact of religion, and which had no spiritual dimension would be extremely impoverished in the face of the ambitious project which calls upon all its energies: constructing a Europe for all!"

Quoting the Pope in his address to a joint session of the two chambers of the Italian Parliament in 2002, he said "there is a need to guard against a vision of the continent, which would only take into account economic and political aspects, or which would uncritically yield to lifestyles inspired by a consumerism indifferent to spiritual values".

The seminar was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre and attended by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, MPs, and MEPs. Archbishop Joseph Mercieca was unable to make it, having attended Pope John Paul II's funeral on Friday.

It was also addressed by Rev. Professor Peter Serracino Inglott, nominee of the government at the European Convention, responsible for the drafting of the EU Constitutional Treaty, which will only enter into force after ratification by all 25 member states.