Catholics should help foster soul of Europe, says Bishop Treanor

Catholics in Ireland have an important role to play in fostering the “soul of Europe”, Bishop Noel Treanor told The Irish Catholic.

Fostering this soul is a “challenge and imperative to work for the promotion of the good [via the European project], for the realisation of what’s true and global and enhancing”, said Bishop Treanor, who is one of the vice-presidents of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE).

“That remains a challenge for every generation,” he added.

The inspiration for the European project was born from the “cradle” of Europe’s Judeo-Christian heritage, Bishop Treanor explained.

While concerns remain for Churches in the EU over attacks on freedom of conscience and a lack of “mutual literacy”, he urged Catholics not to “sacrifice the good on the altar of perfection”.

“We have the challenges of forgiveness and reconciliation, and the promotion of the Heavenly City,” the Bishop of Down and Connor said.

“That always entails drama, it always entails discussion, dialogue and ideally efforts to enlighten and persuade.”

Bishop Treanor continued, saying it is also “the task of Churches and faith communities… to critically build up an awareness of the importance of a respect for faith traditions as part of the religious, cultural and historical heritage of Europe”.

Read more of Bishop Treanor’s comments here.