Brussels, 18/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - The main topic at the Spring plenary assembly meeting on the 5-7 March 2008 in Brussels was “Respecting human dignity and safeguarding the creation - incarnation of the common good through EU policies of the 21st century”. At the meeting bishop members of COMECE called on leaders at the European institutions “to express clearly their understanding of human development envisaged in the European unification process in which the peoples are to be engaged”. At the event, they were informed about Europe's institutional and political relaunch over the last few months, with the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and the launch of political objectives in response to the current challenge of climate change.
A COMECE press release indicated the theme of the plenary assembly had enabled the bishops to reflect on two fundamental values, which could “guide European unification, remobilise the support of citizens and be translated into concrete EU policies”. (1) Respect for human dignity: This is at heart of the debates on the reform of schools and universities, as well as at the heart of the reform of on the European research policy. The bishops also debated with Jérôme Vignon (European Commission, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities) the demands of human dignity in the context of changing employment patterns. They underlined the importance of the respect for human dignity especially in the context of the protection of life. (2) Respect for creation, which is at the crossroads of the concern of both political leaders and Christians in Europe, through the elaboration of measures to combat climate change. In November 2007, the COMECE bishops set up a reflection group on “Climate change and Christian Lifestyle”. The president of this ad hoc group, former EU commissioner and president of the Eco-social Europe Forum, Dr. Franz Fischler, presented to the bishops a mid-term report of the group's work. The final report is expected by next autumn. (G.B.)