The European Union (EU) is a secular organisation but the EU founders were Christian Democrats and at its core are values rooted in the very Christian notion of solidarity.
Writing in the London Table Stephen Walls says “its members remain 27 independent countries but with a shared belief in peaceful coexistence, democracy, social justice and responsibility to the poorer nations of the world.”
“It has not worked out as its founders expected,” he says “but it has worked and, flawed as it inevitably is, it is hard to think of a better realistic alternative, both as a way of managing potential conflict between the members and of promoting their shared values and interests in a dangerous world.”
Read Stephen Wall’s column
Stephen Wall had long and distinguished civil service career that has included spells in the diplomatic service. He has also served as an advisor to the Catholic Archbishop of Westminister