Pope disappointed EU constitution omits reference to Christianity

Published: 2004-06-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Expressing his disappointment with a European Union constitution that does not mention Christianity, Pope John Paul II said it was impossible for Europe to cut itself off from its religious roots. Despite a two-year lobbying effort by the pontiff, European governments omitted specific reference to Christianity's contributions to the religious and cultural history of the continent. The text was adopted June 18 in Brussels. In an official statement, the Vatican welcomed the constitution's protection of the status of religious communities in member states and its pledge for dialogue between political and religious institutions. But it said the missing reference to Christianity showed "an undervaluing of historical evidence" and of the "Christian identity" of European peoples. The Vatican said the Christianity reference was not included because of the "opposition of several governments." France and Belgium had been among those opposing such language in the constitution.

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