NEW EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION RECOGNIZES CHRISTIAN PATRIMONY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope sent a message to participants in a European study congress sponsored by the Vicariate of Rome in collaboration with the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community and the Federation of Catholic Universities of Europe.

After recalling the theme of the congress, "Toward a European Constitution?", the Holy Father writes that the new European organization "must recognize and protect those values that constitute the more precise patrimony of European humanism." These values concern "the dignity of man, the sacred character of human life, the central role of the family, founded in matrimony, the importance of education, liberty of thought, word and profession ... the collaboration of all for the common good, ... political power understood as a service."

"In particular," he continues, "it will be necessary to recognize and safeguard in all situations the dignity of the human person and the right to religious liberty understood in its triple dimension: individual, collective and institutional."
John Paul II underlines that "in the process towards a new institutional organization, Europe will not be able to ignore its Christian patrimony. ... It is necessary to be inspired by creative fidelity in those Christian roots that have marked European history. This is demanded by historical memory and, especially, by Europe's mission which is still today called to be a teacher of true progress, and to promote globalization in solidarity."

Addressing in particular the European politicians, the Pope urges that "while respecting a correct conception of the laity of political institutions, may they know how to give the above-mentioned values that profound transcendent root that is expressed in openness to the religious dimension."

At the end of the message, the Holy Father indicates that "in this whole process the specific identity and social role of Churches and religious Confessions must also be recognized and safeguarded. ... In other words, we must react against the temptation of improving European coexistence while excluding the contribution of religious communities with the richness of their message, action and witness."

MESS;EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION;...;...;VIS;20020624;Word: 350;