Polish, Slovak bishops call for larger church role in European Union

Published: 2004-04-23

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Church leaders in Poland and Slovakia have called for a larger role for religion in an expanded European Union. In separate statements, the bishops' conferences in both countries said Europe will face new challenges after the European Union admits 10 new member nations May 1. "Despite many weaknesses and imperfections, our church can offer united Europe a living faith, a religiously inspired morality, pastoral help and succor from bishops and priests," the Polish bishops' conference said in a mid-April statement. Poland and Slovakia are among the countries joining the European Union May 1. Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus and the Czech Republic also will join. Slovak bishops said the pope's teachings offered "the best guide for shaping Europe's future." They also called on parishes to host prayer services and vigils as the country's accession into the European Union nears.

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