FILE PHOTO: A view shows a flare stack at Rosneft's oil stabilisation facility outside Neftegorsk

CHURCH

Amid energy crunch EU Bishops call for solidarity ahead of winter

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union is calling on the EU to ensure fair access to affordable energy for all this winter.

By Linda Bordoni

Within the context of the energy emergency spawned by Russia’s war on Ukraine that has triggered soaring inflation and rising energy prices, the bishops of the European Union are appealing for solidarity and support for the most vulnerable.

As winter approaches in Europe, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) is appealing to all who bear responsibility in public life, not to abandon families and persons who are vulnerable or victims of socio-economic discrimination and unable to pay for heating and electricity.

Their appeal addressed to EU policy-makers reads:

“Ensure a fair access to affordable energy for all, especially the most vulnerable, while not losing sight of the long-term objectives of a just and sustainable energy transition.”

The bishops note that in the context of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the European Union’s overdependence on one oil and gas supplier has allowed the weaponisation of energy supplies by Russia.

This situation, they add, has not only reinforced energy insecurity in Europe, but also resulted in the soaring prices negatively impacting on all EU societies.

“While some companies are going bankrupt others are laying off workers, and many people are no longer able to cope with the rising cost of living.”

Thus, COMECE calls for collective solidarity, inviting each member of our societies to care for one another and to pursue a responsible energy consumption.

In this regard, it offers EU decision-makers three principles for orientation: universal destination of goods; preferential option for the poor; justice and peace.

This COMECE statement follows the appeal for peace in Ukraine and in the whole of Europe, elaborated by the Bishops of the European Union during their 2022 Autumn Plenary Assembly.

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