The Brussels-based commission representing the European Union's Catholic bishops has said the Church respects the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU and believes Brexit can breathe a new dynamism into ties between the continent's inhabitants.
"For more than four years, Brexit has been a source of concern for the future, an element of instability for many people, families and communities on both sides of the English Channel", the Catholic Church in the EU (COMECE) said in a weekend press release. "We invite all people of goodwill to pray and work for the common good and make sure Brexit will not succeed in shattering the fraternal relations between brothers and sisters on both shores of the sea. It might be a long and challenging process; but it could also be an opportunity to trigger new dynamics between European peoples and rebuild a sense of community."
The statement was issued as Britain finally left the EU at midnight on 31 January, fulfilling a narrow June 2016 referendum vote. COMECE said the Catholic Church was "saddened" by the country's departure, but would also, "as defender of freedom of expression and democracy", respect "the will expressed by British citizens". It added that the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement signed on 24 January by the EU and Britain, which allows for a transition period until the end of 2020, could be viewed as "a victory of common sense and good neighbourly relations".
"A No-Deal scenario would have had negative effects on both the United Kingdom and the EU, but would have been harmful overall for the most vulnerable people", said COMECE, which is headed by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, with vice-presidents from the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland and Italy. "Even if the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU, it will continue being part of Europe. We are all destined to live and work together in full respect for everyone else's choices and diversities. It is crucial, therefore, to maintain good relations with each other".
In its press release, COMECE said the Bishops Conferences of England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland would "remain an integral part of the Church in Europe", despite Brexit, and continue participating in COMECE "at political level as observer-members, and at technical level within the framework of COMECE commissions and working groups".
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said Britain now had an opportunity to move beyond divisions.
“It is important for everyone to renew a commitment to each other through everyday acts of kindness, being good neighbours, welcoming the stranger and caring for the most vulnerable in our society,” he said.
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