Petition urges God’s inclusion in Giscard’s tablets of stone

Date: 19/06/03

EU MEMBER states are facing fresh demands to include a clear reference to God and Christianity in Europe's constitution.

Christian groups have reacted angrily to the omission of anything more explicit than "religious values" in the draft constitution.

Civil society organizations are now gathering signatures on a petition which will be sent to Convention chairman Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, as well as to EU government leaders who will re-examine the draft constitution in an intergovernmental conference starting in October.

Mario Cappello, of Rome-based Institute for World Evangelisation, which has organized the petition, said: "The absence of reference to Christianity is deplorable. It is an undeniable historic reality that Christianity has moulded our common European civilization.

"Reference to God reminds man of his limitations and that his power over life and nations is not absolute. Such a reference will ensure that all EU citizens can transcend their divisions and forge a common destiny."

Christian groups have organised a petition calling for a clear reference to God and Christianity to be included in the draft EU constitution.