Prelate calls for greater European cohesion

March 04, 2016

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community gathered in Brussels on March 3 to discuss “Europe’s vocation to promote peace in the world.”

The bishops also met privately with Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice-President of the European Commission.

“In this crucial phase of its history, Europe needs closer cooperation between its member states, and more solidarity and mutual support,” said Bishop Gianni Ambrosio, who represented Italy’s bishops at the meeting, according to the Italian news agency SIR. “All this can only be achieved with internal cohesion and a clear foreign policy.”

“There is an excessive centralization in Europe today, and some countries seem to have more weight than others in decision-making,” he added. “Likewise, economic considerations seem to prevail over everything else, even at the expense of politics and culture, which makes it impossible for Europe to move forward. Europe needs to be re-launched starting with the values that unite us, as John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have stressed time and again.”

 

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Further information:

• COMECE Assembly: Bishops meet with Federica Mogherini. Mgr. Ambrosio: “EU, Need for cohesion and foreign policy” (SIR)
• COMECE Assembly: Mgr. Ambrosio, “European project is weaker, need for culture and values” (SIR)