Brussels, 21/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The adoption of the European Constitution was welcomed by the Vatican on Saturday through its spokesperson Navarro-Valls, who also welcomed the integration of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the constitutional treaty but regretted the absence to Europe's Christian roots. On Sunday, however, Pope Jean-Paul II, on taking leave of his followers in Saint Peter's Square, declared in Polish, "I thank Poland…which had loyally defended the Christian roots of our continent…We do not cut out the roots from which we are born!".
The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) gave its response in a press statement by its Secretary General Mgr Noel Treanor, who was pleased to point out that the Constitution, ""redefines the democratic mission of the Union. It clearly identifies the values and objectives" which guide it, while strengthening the subsidiarity principle. Treanor particularly welcomed the acknowledgement of religious freedom and the role of religious communities in political life and the guarantee of respect for diversity and dialogue between religious institutions and the political authorities in the spirit of openness but with "proper separation between the two spheres". However, Mgr Treanor regretted that the European council had not reached an agreement that would have explicitly recognised the "undeniable contribution of Christianity and other traditions. This omission does not alter the fact that the Union's values as described in Article 1-2, above all respect for human dignity, have been inspired by Christian thought. But it represents a missed opportunity to build on our common heritage a future that is open and inclusive for all".