EU Bishops: Vote for European project, Christian values
By Christopher Wells
European bishops are calling on Catholics and other European citizens to cast their votes responsibly as they choose members for the European Parliament later this year.
"Today, Europe and the European Union are going through challenging and uncertain times,â the bishops write. To address the crucial issues facing the continent, âwe need courageous, competent, and value driven policymakers who honestly pursue the common good. It is our responsibility to make the best possible choice in the coming elections.â
In a statement signed by the delegate Bishops of the Bishopsâ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), the Bishops highlight the need for Christians to âtry to discern well for whom and for which party to vote in this important moment for the future of the European Union.â
While recognizing the different circumstances present in each country, the Bishops highlight the importance of voting âfor persons and parties who clearly support the European project and who, we reasonably think, will promote our values and our idea of Europe, such as respect and promotion of the dignity of every human person, solidarity, equality, family, and the sanctity of life, democracy, freedom, subsidiarity, and care for our âcommon homeâ.â
Voting for the European project and Christian values
The Secretary-General of COMECE, Fr. Manuel Enrique Barrios Prieto, spoke to Pope about the statement and the Bishops' hope for EU elections in June.
âWhat the Bishops are asking of the Catholics, but also of all the European citizens, is that they prepare themselves to vote and they vote in the next elections.â He said the bishops are asking for âa responsible vote that promotes the European project and that promotes Christian values.â
In an interview with Pope, Bishop Czeslaw Kozon of Copenhagen, COMECE vice president, emphasized the importance of exercising the right to vote despite the difficulties in choosing parties and candidates that fully represent Christian values.
He warned that the European project is âin danger of being fragmentedâ due to the success of the âpopulistic voice.â That is âvery concerning,â he said, âbecause if those forces succeed, then it will actually contradict the vision of the founding fathers of the European Union.â
Fr. Barrios Prieto went on to note that Bishopsâ statement was issued ahead of the elections so that the individual Bishopsâ Conferences of the EU would have time to provide guidance for voters in their respective countries, âbecause some issuesâ at the continental level âare also national issues.â
In regard to such issues, the COMECE statement explains that âthe Bishopsâ Conferences in each member state can also offer useful orientations.â
Encouraging the youth
The Bishopsâ statement encourages "young people to exercise their vote in the coming European elections and so construct a Europe that assures their future and does justice to their genuine aspirations.â
At the same time, they encourage young people who feel called to do so to engage in politics, with an eye to contributing âto the common good in a spirit of service to the community.â
âThe bishops encourage young people to commit themselves to the European project, commit themselves to promoting Christian values in Europe,â Fr. Barrios Prieto said, adding, âAnd this was the instrument that we have, and a very important instrument we have, are the coming European elections.â
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