European Union Rebuffs Pope in Signing of Constitution The Re-Building of the Roman Empire
Religion News ^ | Oct 29th, 2004 | Peggy Polk
 

VATICAN CITY -- When European Union leaders gather in Rome to sign their new constitution, they will be rebuffing Pope John Paul II and his effort to acknowledge Christianity in the historic document.

The Roman Catholic pontiff has often voiced concern about Europe's increasingly secular society, and with Friday's signing of a constitution that does not acknowledge Europe's religious history, the Vatican sees proof that the EU is distancing itself from Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.

The drafters of the constitution have made it clear for