Saturday, February 15, 2025

Popular News

HomeNewsEuropeFrench, German and Swiss Bishops discuss future of Europe

French, German and Swiss Bishops discuss future of Europe


Two months ahead of the European elections and amidst the many difficulties faced by the European project, bishops from France, Germany and Switzerland meet for a seminar in Paris to discuss the “European Common Good”.

By Joachim Teigen

A seminar, entitled “Dialogue on the European Common Good”, jointly organised by the French, German and Swiss episcopal conferences, took place in Paris from 25 to 26 March.

It was presided over by the three presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences: Archbishop of Marseille, Georges Pontier, Archbishop of Munich, Cardinal Reinhard Marx and Bishop of Bâle, Félix Gmür.

Among the participants were former government ministers of the three countries, as well as university professors and journalists.

“European Common Good”

In a press release presenting the event, the bishops said they were “convinced that a relaunching of the European project happens through a redefinition of the common good”, and that the former notion of the European common good as merely “peace between European nations”, is no longer sufficient.

They cited difficulties such as economic inequality, the rise of populism, uncertainty around Brexit and the environmental crisis as reasons for the need to look differently at the European project, so as to “breathe new life” into it.

Appeal to vote in European elections

On the day of the opening of the seminar, the French Bishops’ Conference released a letter encouraging all Christians and citizens in France to vote in the upcoming European elections.

“Certain solutions cannot be found on a single national level”, they said, and encouraged Catholics in France and Europe to ask the patron saints of the European continent for their intercession on behalf of its citizens and public servants.

Popular News

Fr. Faltas grateful for Italy for welcoming sick children from Gaza

Father Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, expresses gratitude to...

German Churches urge voters to take responsibility for democracy

With less than two weeks to go for the federal elections in Germany, Churches...

Communication of Synod and Jubilee: Stories of hope that include everyone

Several Vatican and Italian organizations team up to host a webinar entitled "CommunicAction for...

Irish Bishops: Healthcare should never lose sight of human dignity

In a statement for the World Day of the Sick, the Chair of the...