MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS WELCOMES BISHOPS BACKING FOR EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION

Mr. Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for European Affairs, has welcomed the decision of Catholic Bishops to give their backing to the European Constitution.

Commenting on the statement by the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), which called the EU Constitution a “breakthrough for Church and society” and which “reflects core principles of Christian anthropology”, Minister Treacy said:

“The support of the Catholic Bishops for the European Constitution is of great significance and affirms the backing of the Church for the goals and values of the European Union. It follows on from the comments by the Late Holy Father, John Paul II, in his New Year Message to the Vatican Diplomatic Corps, in which he referred positively, to the “Constitutional Treaty of Rome” and the European Union's “openness to admitting other States”.

The fact that the European Constitution for the very first time, recognises the importance of Europe's religious Heritage and provides for open and regular discussion with the Churches, has clearly influenced the positive reaction of the Church and faith-based organisations, both Catholic and others”, concluded Minister Treacy.