“We are not an interest group speaking in favor of religions, we are European citizens committed to the construction of Europe”, said Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich during a high-level meeting between the EU institutions and religious leaders from across Europe.
(Credit: Web)
European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, together with European Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness, hosted the 13th Annual High-Level meeting between the EU institutions and leaders from Churches and religious communities in Europe.
This annual gathering is part of the open, transparent and regular dialogue with the European institutions granted by Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. It provided an occasion to discuss the future of the European project from a human dimension prospective, encompassing the principles of solidarity, social justice and sustainability.
Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich, COMECE Delegate for Luxembourg, said that Churches and religious communities are engaged in a dialogue with political actors not to speak in favor of religions, but to contribute to the construction of Europe as a project of peace based on the common good.
In the context of identifying new forms of leadership strengthening the dialogue between religious and political actors, Bishop Noel Treanor, COMECE Delegate from Ireland, stated that “leadership should be participative, shared and multilevel”, while highlighting the importance of the leadership on the ground.
Quoting Pope Francis’ intervention addressed to the participants of (Re)Thinking Europe last October 28th, Bishop Treanor added that “Churches and faiths should not occupy or dominate spaces but unleash processes, throwing bridges for an open dialogue respecting for diversity”.
Mr. Timmermans underscored the ever-increasing importance of the Art. 17 TFEU dialogue, referring to some concrete follow ups on the topics discussed during the gathering.
COMECE welcomes regular occasions of exchange with the EU institutions as a way to focus on religious views of secular issues and matters. COMECE is also committed to further reinforce Article 17 TFEU dialogue, including bilateral high-level meetings, in order to give concrete shape to policies.
Media
Read the EU Commission Press Release on the event
Watch the Press Conference (Video)