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In a statement on Europe, the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has called for "the central role of Christianity and the contribution of other religions to European history and civilization" to be reflected in the preamble to the European constitution.
The statement welcomes the recognition given to the role of churches in the draft constitution, particularly the specific commitment to ensure that European institutions engage in dialogue with churches and religious communities. It also emphasizes the need to monitor issues of religious freedom, and the need to respect the rights of religious believers.
Welcoming the accession of ten new members to the European Union, the statement acknowledges both the opportunities and the challenges posed by this expansion. Trond Bakkevig, moderator of the Council's public issues committee, said: "We hope that this statement will clarify, not glorify the EU."
In particular, the Committee calls for the eradication of racism and poverty, respect for human rights and respect for God's creation to be the goals of the EU's development policies. It also urges the EU to work for the recognition and functioning of the International Criminal Court.
The statement further stresses the importance of human rights, ethics and morality in the development of a common security policy, and challenges the rights of individual countries to undertake military interventions without the mandate of the UN Security Council and outside the framework of international law.
It recognizes the danger of "transatlantic divides" in global security issues, and urges member churches in Europe and the USA to work together to influence their governments towards a multi-lateral approach to global peace and justice.
In a separate minute, the Central Committee also committed itself to keeping the issue of Cyprus high on its international affairs agenda. While welcoming steps towards reconciliation between the two Cypriot communities, the Committee reiterated its call for a viable and permanent settlement under a binding UN resolution, and called on the Turkish Cypriot leader to resume negotiations under the auspices of the UN as soon as possible.
The full texts of this statement and the minute will be available at: