Religious and European Union Leaders Gather in Brussels
Contributed By MormonNewsroom.org
From left to right: László Surján, vice president of the European Parliament; Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council; Elder José A. Teixeira, President of the Europe Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission.
Article Highlights
- Religions represented included Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and others from all over Europe in a forum titled “The Future of the European Union.”
- This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event, and it is the first time a representative of the Church has been invited to attend.
“There is a pressing need to strengthen links between EU citizens and the democratic process of the Union. I strongly believe that the active involvement of churches and religious communities can contribute decisively to this reflection.” —President Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission
Elder José A. Teixeira, President of the Europe Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joined 18 high-level religious leaders in Brussels for a meeting with leaders of the European Union (EU). They represented Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and other religions from all over Europe in a forum titled “The Future of the European Union.”
The gathering, on June 10, 2014, was hosted by José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, and was cochaired by Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, and László Surján, vice president of the European Parliament. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event, and it is the first time a representative of the Church has been invited to attend.
During the meeting, Elder Teixeira suggested that to secure a stronger and more peaceful future for Europe, faith, family, and religious freedom should play an important role in shaping EU policies.
“The future of Europe is today. It’s in our families, where children learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control, the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life,” he said.
“There is a pressing need to strengthen links between EU citizens and the democratic process of the Union,” said President Barroso. “I strongly believe that the active involvement of churches and religious communities can contribute decisively to this reflection.”
The participants accepted the invitation by President Barroso to reflect on the current challenges and opportunities of the EU: the pressing need to strengthen the links between EU citizens and the democratic process of the Union; its shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, and rule of law; and the moral and political responsibility that must be carried out not only by the institutions but by each individual European.
There are currently half a million Latter-day Saints in Europe.
Elder José A. Teixeira, President of the Europe Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the staff of the European Union office of the Church in Brussels. From left to right: Francesco Di Lillo, head of the European Union office; Elder José A. Teixeira; and Sister Lydia and Elder Warren Hansen, government relations representatives.
Group photo of the participants in this year’s European Union meeting with religious leaders in Brussels, including Elder José A. Teixeira, President of the Europe Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
EU Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, welcomes Elder José A. Teixeira, Europe Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder José A. Teixeira leaves the European Commission headquarters after attending a high-level meeting with religious leaders.
