Common good has prevailed over national interest - European Bishops

The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) has welcomed the fact that concern for the European common good and the interest of 500 million citizens finally prevailed over threats linked to issues of national interest.

Referring to the Reform Treaty agreed by EU heads of state in Lisbon last week, COMECE particularly welcomed the introduction of an article establishing the European Community. This stipulates that "the Union respects and does not prejudice the status under national law of churches and religious associations or communities in the member states.

It also holds that: "Recognising their identity and their specific contribution, the Union shall maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with these churches and organisations."

On the basis of this article, which introduces a new provision into the treaties, the EU institutions will engage in a deeper dialogue with the churches, thus allowing Christians to accompany more effectively the process of European construction, the bishops said.

This should lead to a Union characterised by more justice and solidarity and an enhanced responsibility for major global challenges.

COMECE noted with interest that the Reform Treaty introduces a preamble to the EU Treaty that recognises the cultural, religious and humanistic inheritance of Europe.

Nevertheless, COMECE's Secretary General Mgr Noël Treanor considers that, "The debate about the Christian roots of Europe is inseparable from the reflexion on the European identity; thus, it needs to be continued".

The Reform Treaty will be officially signed by the 27 heads of states and governments on December 13 in Lisbon.

The ratification process will then start through a referendum in Ireland and by parliamentary decision in all the other member states.

The COMECE Secretariat encouraged Christians to follow closely the issues and challenges of the European debate in the coming months.

It said that the Reform Treaty, despite its shortcomings and complexity, represents a satisfying institutional solution for the enlarged EU and introduces the necessary reforms into the decision-making process that should allow European construction to continue in an efficient and just way.