HOLY SEE: DISAPPOINTMENT CHRISTIAN ROOTS NOT RECOGNIZED

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2004 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls,  director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration at midday:

  "The media have reported the adoption by consensus in Brussels of the European constitution by the heads of State and Government of the twenty-five member countries.

  "The Holy See express its satisfaction for this new and important step in the process of European integration that has been hoped for and encouraged by the Roman Pontiff.  The introduction in the document of a measure which safeguards the status of religious confessions in the Member States, and commits the Union to maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with them, recognizing their identity and specific contribution, is also a reason for satisfaction."

  "The Holy See cannot but express its distress over the opposition of some governments to the explicit recognition of the Christian roots of Europe. It is a question of disregard of the historical evidence and of the Christian identity of European peoples."


  "The Holy See expresses heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to those governments that, aware of the past and of the historical horizon in which the new Europe is taking shape, worked to express concretely its recognized religious heritage."

  "Not to be forgotten is the intense commitment of different entities to have the Christian heritage of Europe mentioned in this treaty, stimulating the reflection of political leaders, citizens, and public opinion on a question that is not secondary in the present national, European and world context."
OP/CHRISTIAN ROOTS/NAVARRO-VALLS            VIS 20040621 (270)