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Churches recognized as 'real force' in EU constitution
Episcopal News Service
Issue:
Section:
2003-151
Posted: Wednesday, June 25, 2003
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A top European church official has welcomed the text of a draft constitution for the European Union to be presented to an EU summit starting on June 27. The constitution, drawn up by a convention of European politicians chaired by former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, is intended to streamline the 15-nation EU so that it can deal with the influx of up to 10 new member states next year.
'Churches were probably among the top three issues most discussed at the European Convention. They were more than recognized as a real force,' said Rudiger Noll, director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). Noll said the text of the draft constitution unveiled on June 13 had met key demands made by European churches.
It included, among other things, a special article dealing with churches and non-confessional organizations. The article guaranteed that the EU would respect the variation in the status of churches and religious associations from country to country, and pledged that the EU would maintain an 'open, transparent, and regular dialogue' with churches, Noll told ENI.
This 'grants us access to the [EU] institutions and an open dialogue,' Noll explained. 'We are very satisfied, even proud of what's been achieved.'
Churches' status varies widely among EU nations, from Denmark, where the country's parliament makes decisions for the national Lutheran church, to France, where the church and state are officially separated.
One of the most controversial issues discussed by the convention, during its 15 months of deliberations, was whether the constitution should make reference to faith in God as a source of truth and justice or to Europe's having a Christian heritage. In the end, the text's preamble refers to Europe's 'cultural, religious and humanist heritage.'
Noll said CEC's members, which include most Anglican, Protestant and Orthodox churches in Europe, had been 'far apart' over the issue, with some opposing any reference to religion, and others pledging support for 'God and Christendom' in the text. He said CEC was 'much happier' with the latest preamble.
EU governments will have the ultimate say on the final text of the constitution during negotiations set to start in October.
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