Development necessary in Europe, not drums of war says CEI

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 12 - Europe needs to rediscover its fundamental values and use its voice to promote peace, the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) said in the final statement of its Permanent Council on Wednesday.
    Europe "needs to recover its fundamental values - peace, freedom, democracy, rights, social justice - making its voice heard for peace.
    "At a historic time in which there is insistence on the themes of security and defence, it is fundamental for such concerns not to become drums of war", said the statement.
    The bishops in particular highlighted the "urgency for public investments to be primarily aimed at supporting people in need, poor families, the weakest social groups, to ensure adequate educational and healthcare services to all and to counter climate change.
    "In this perspective, it would be appropriate to bring back the theme of sustainable development at the centre of the political choices made by States and international Organizations, including the European Union", concluded the statement. (ANSA).