Another thumbs up for the European Constitution

The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community, which represents a thousand Catholic bishops from the EU's 25 member countries - including our own bishops - backed the European Constitution in a March 11 statement. The commission said it would publish a new theological reflection next month to help bishops' conferences encourage an "informed debate" on the constitution.

After this collective thumbs up by the European bishops, Church leaders in France did the same and went a step further. They joined in the debate raging in France at the moment and have urged a Yes vote in a referendum on the European Constitution, despite poll evidence of widespread opposition.

"This treaty is a compromise - as with every compromise, everyone has certain regrets and preferences," said the March 29 statement signed by Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox leaders.

"We wish to underline what is at stake for the European Union's future, which will also determine our country's future, and the responsibility it has assumed from the beginning in building European unity," the statement said.

The declaration said Christians could not "turn their backs" on the European Union or "allow themselves to be distracted by purely national issues or ancillary debates".

"This treaty marks a stage in European construction - it offers an institutional framework for the better organisation of responsibilities," the Church leaders said.

"It enumerates the Union's founding values, beginning with respect for human dignity. It recalls Europe's duty to promote peace, justice and welfare for all, as well as the union's responsibility and solidarity in relation to the world," the statement said.

French citizens vote on May 29 whether to approve the European Constitution, which was ratified by the European Parliament in January but has still to be approved by member countries. Spanish voters approved it in February. More than 55 per cent of France's inhabitants, two thirds of whom are Catholics, opposed the Constitution in a March 27 Gallup poll.

In their statement, the Church leaders said the Constitution would strengthen human rights and democracy, as well as recognise the contribution of churches to public debate.

"Like all political votes, this one must take account of the common good - of France and the French, but also of all Europeans," the statement said.