The Commission of EU Bishops Conferences [COMECE] has described as
''diplomatic wavering'' the failure of the EU to agree a joint
declaration on religious persecution.
In a statement, COMECE
said the failure ''is all the more incomprehensible as innocent lives
are being cut short in atrocious attacks against Christians and other
minorities all over the world''.
The Commission alleged that the issue of including Christians in the
declaration proved the stumbling block in formulating consensus.
''The agreement failed due to internal wrangling among the Ministers
over a specific reference to Christians being included as victims of
religious persecution,'' it said.
It was anti-Christian attacks which led to the tabling of a motion in
the European Parliament in January towards a resolution against
persecution.
That motion received widespread support, leading to hopes
of a strong statement in keeping with rights enshrined in the EU Treaty
and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.