The European constitution has entered its final stage : it has now to be ratified by EU member states. And yet we are constrained by anxiety. Such an heavyweight country as France has set up a referendum whose outcome is likely to be negative. As a matter of fact, the “no” answer is heralded by opinion polls which also reveal that most practising Catholic people are pro-constitution. As this constitution is obviously built on Christian values, this is no surprise. This particular point has been highlighted by the Committee of (catholic) Episcopates of the European Community (COMECE in French) in a relevant document designed to promote the constitutional treaty.

This very committee has even intervened so that an explicit reference to Christianity should be contained in the constitution’s preamble. Though actively backed by Vatican City, such initiative had been vain. The religious heritage is even so mentioned. And insofar as bishops do acknowledge the treaty’s value despite their demand not being met, it can be said they are really genuine. From their point of view, the treaty encapsulates the Christian heritage’s fruit: human dignity, freedom (freedom of religion in particular), democracy, equality, the rule of law, respect for human rights, ... In addtion, they are delighted with an “open, transparent and regular dialogue with Churches being institutionalized” (the much-talked-about Article I-52).

Is it an accident this treaty being openly Christian-coloured? Not really. Europe’s founding fathers were truly of Christian faith (besides, Robert Schuman’s beatification process has begun). Moreover, like the agnostic Regis Debray, we can admit that, on the cultural stage, the basis of Christian values has been developing even among “anti-Christian people” (La Croix Newspaper – 19th November, 2004).

As written in the bishops’ document: “Every Christian individual is invited to face up his responsibilities when putting the new constitutional treaty into practice and contributing to its smooth operation”. We need only hope the treaty being ratified by France and such values not being bordered on Europe. Promoting and spreading those values will then be feasible only if an uninterrupted and both justice and solidarity-caring dialogue is developed at global level.