European Union flags flutter outside the EU headquarters in Brussels July 15, 2021. (CNS photo/Yves Herman, Reuters) Ireland has a “unique opportunity” to remind the EU of the core Christian values that led to it being founded after World War II, the Catholic hierarchy has said ahead of Ireland assuming the EU presidency for six months starting on July 1.
After their summer quarterly meeting last week, the bishops discussed what this means for Ireland and what their hopes are for the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
They discussed how Ireland’s presidency “coincides with a critical point for EU development cooperation, with so much pressure at present to re-orient EU [overseas] spending towards short-term geo-political priorities.”
Additionally, the bishops emphasised that Ireland has a unique opportunity to remind EU representatives of the Christian values that have provided a foundation for the EU, including “human dignity, solidarity, justice, peace and prosperity shared by all people”.
They said the EU needs to place its focus on the common good. This can be achieved so long as the EU remains unwavering in their core principles.