Rite and Reason: As European integration continues, we need clarity about the nature of the values which inform European society, writes Bertie Ahern
On Saturday we welcomed 10 new member-states into the European Union. It was a momentous and historic day not only for the Union itself but also for Europe and for all Europeans. It was an enormous honour for Ireland, during its presidency, to oversee this enlargement.
The original coming together of six countries for a common purpose was inspired by the vision of achieving enduring peace in post-war Europe.
Through political and economic co-operation, war and strife were consigned to the past and for five decades the European Union has grown and prospered in a climate of unity and peace.
Saturday's events have a particular historical resonance as eight of the former communist countries in the east have emerged from the shadows of the Iron Curtain to join us in working for common goals and for mutual benefit. The artificial divisions, which have blighted our continent's history for so long, are finally being laid to rest.
The 10 new accession states will greatly add to the Union's rich diversity. The 75 million people in the new member-states will bring new perspectives to the Union and will create exciting new opportunities for all of the enlarged Union's people. The contribution that the new member-states will bring can only help to make the EU stronger and broaden its perspective on the world.
As we welcome our new partners, we should recall also the spiritual aspects of European co-operation and integration. European integration was not built on a spiritually and culturally neutral foundation.
Our specific European identity derives from a unique past which is rich in the variety of its culture. Much of this identity is instilled with the spiritual traditions and insights of past generations. In all its elements, intellectual and spiritual, this shared inheritance is a foundation stone for the European Union.
Some might argue that the decline in religious belief and practice and the secular character of much of modern culture makes religion a matter of minority interest now. Others might claim that the excesses of the past, committed in the name of religion, make a secular Europe desirable or even necessary.
Others still may argue that the tolerance required of a more pluralist Europe makes our Christian tradition at best problematic in constructing the basis of a new European civic order.
The reality, of course, is that Europeans do share a moral and religious inheritance, shaped in part through dialogue and interaction with those from other traditions. The 10 new countries which have joined the Union this weekend will further enrich European society and culture with their distinct traditions of faith and culture.
Our spiritual heritage helped to shape the institutions and policies of the European Union. The social solidarity inspired by the highest ideals of our spiritual tradition emphasises the need to secure a high rate of employment for our people.
It has shaped policies on public welfare which aim to secure social cohesion and promote equality of opportunity. It is also reflected in the European tradition of social dialogue.
The spiritual inspiration for the proud European tradition of human rights and respect for the dignity of the individual person is evident. It is reflected in the search for international justice, especially for those in the developing world. It is evident in the impact of the European missionary tradition, the vitality of the non-governmental organisations associated with the churches and faith communities, and in the role of the churches in providing continuous spiritual leadership and satisfying the search for meaning in life.
As European integration continues, we need clarity about the nature of the values which inform European society. This need reflects, in particular, the fact that many of the negative forces against which European institutions were developed as a defence are no longer potent.
The national rivalries which produced two world wars in the 20th century are now a thing of the past, in itself the major achievement of European integration. The collapse of communism, enabling the liberation of countries whose membership of the Union we have celebrated this weekend, removed the principal external threat.
The new constitutional treaty, which we will seek to agree at the latest in June, provides clarity about what the European Union is for. It acknowledges the religious values present in our heritage.
As well as setting out the framework within which an enlarged Union can grow and prosper into the future, it also contains a clear statement of values and principles to which we can all subscribe.
The new member-states have been active participants in, and contributors to, this worthy constitutional project.
I firmly believe that European integration will continue to embody the rich and diverse moral and religious inheritance and strong spiritual values we share as Europeans. We must, as "Europeans-Working Together", ensure that we do not lose sight of those values which we hold dear and which are at the heart of our overriding vision of a united Europe.
• Mr Ahern is Taoiseach and president of the European Council of the EU