Church leaders urge support for European unity after French 'no' vote

Published: 2005-06-01

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- Catholic Church leaders are urging continued support for European unity after the proposed European Union Constitution was heavily rejected in a May 29 referendum in France. "In the light of the results of the French referendum and the consequences a 'no' vote could have on the unification process, it seems urgent for the church to commit itself to a phase of deepening the vision of European unification," the general secretaries of 30 bishops' conferences said May 31. "A perceived lack of landmarks and foundations, the erosion of values and ethical standards, the spread of ambiguous and sectarian religious practices, anti-Semitism and a growth in new forms of poverty are disorienting and a cause for concern regarding the future of Europe. It seems that some basic economic and sociopolitical trends are contributing to a new anthropology that is not in tune with Christian values," they said.

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