Catholic justice and peace commissions have called for greater attention to social justice across the EU, urging political leaders to take steps to curb food waste, arms exports and multinational abuses.
The Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions said a “new and comprehensive European regional development policy” was needed to better serve the common good.
“The single market has contributed to an enormous increase in material well-being in Europe over past decades. However, a free market economy also needs clear rules, as well as an infrastructure for its governance in view of the common good…otherwise, unwanted consequences multiply,” the umbrella organisation said in an early March appeal as the EU prepared for European Parliament elections from May 23-26.
Observers have predicted that the elections will see gains for far-right and far-left candidates at the cost of longer-established political groupings.
The Brussels-based conference, a network of 31 national justice and peace commissions established by local Catholic bishops’ conferences, explained that most law-making in Europe relates to the functioning of the EU’s single market, focusing on core principle of the free movement of goods, capital, services and people.
Social justice
However, it said, social justice was threatened by continuing poverty and social exclusion, economic inequality and a lack of equal opportunities for EU residents. It expressed concern that large volumes of food waste undermined care for the natural environment and that growing arms exports endangered global peace.
“The single market is not functioning well from the perspective of the EU’s values and principles, as well as the social teaching of the Church,” the conference said.
“The next European Parliament should address these issues vigorously.”
The appeal noted that hourly wages in the EU’s 28 member-countries ranged from $4.62 (€4.08) in Bulgaria to $48.02 (€42.40) in Denmark.
Plans for economic unity have stalled in the face of growing regional disparities and a continent-wide exodus from rural and underdeveloped areas, which undermines trust in European institutions, the statement said.
