EUROPE - Only by voting in these elections will Catholics be able to help build a European Union of men and women committed to bearing the fruit of Christian values, putting themselves at the service of all for the sake of a Europe of the human person, in which the face of God is reflected”: Europe’s Catholics Bishops issue statement in view of elections .

Brussels (Fides Service) - “An opportunity to make our values real” is the title of a Statement of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community in view of the Elections to the European Parliament on 10-13 June 2004. The Bishops encourage people to vote because at stake are fundamental values and because the legitimacy and authority with which the next European Parliament will represent the values and interests of the citizens of the Union depends on the commitment of the citizens to vote and before voting to inform themselves about the candidates and the manifestos of the political parties. “Only by voting in these elections will Catholics be able to help realise the dream of Pope John Paul II of a European Union, “of men and women committed to bearing the fruit of Christian values, putting themselves at the service of all for the sake of a Europe of the human person, in which the face of God is reflected” the statement reads.
The next European Parliament will address problems that concern us today and will have an impact on future generations: Respect for life: Safeguarding Creation: The common good: Support for the family: Education, culture and youth: Welcoming strangers: Peace, security and freedom: Justice for the world’s poor: Honesty in public life: Unity in diversity through subsidiarity: Dialogue with religions: Our Christian heritage.
The Catholic Bishops of Europe propose a list of questions with regard to the duties of the new European Parliament, of which we underline a few:: Will it promote respect for human life at all stages and guarantee it in the funding of scientific research? How will MEPs balance respect for diversity with support for the family founded on marriage as the basic unit of society? Will the future MEPs promote the right of parents to choose freely the education of their children, without economic discrimination and according to their convictions? Will they encourage actions that address the root causes of terrorism, promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts and uphold international law? How will the next Parliament ensure the EU implements what the Church calls the “preferential option for the poor” and respects the dignity of people in the developing world? What efforts will future MEPs take to uphold a code of ethical conduct and to guarantee honesty, transparency and probity both in the rest of the EU system and in their own ranks? How will its Members promote the development of a true European democracy … What will the new Parliament do to engage in a dialogue that recognises the specific identity and contribution of religious communities for society as a whole?
(R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2004; Righe 31; Parole 449)