Constitution - Religion in, enlightenment out
Following strong protests from the Vatican and Christian representatives, the Convention's steering committee - the presidium - has redrawn controversial references to Europe's cultural and intellectual heritage.
Previous drafts had included as reference points the civilisations of Greece and Rome, as well as the philosophical heritage of the Enlightenment.
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In a redraft early on Wednesday, religion was again included, but references to Greece, Rome and the enlightenment were toned down.
After many a heated debate on the Convention floor, the preamble of the Constitution now reads:
"[The EU] ...Draws inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe, which, always present in its heritage, has embedded within the life of society its perception of the central role of the human person and his inviolable and inalienable rights, and of respect for law".
Religious groups government representatives are expected to accept this version of the preamble.
"The current draft is more satisfactory...this corrects some historical inaccuracies" said John Coughlan, a spokesman for the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community.
But, "it is a pity that Christianity could not be included" he said.
However a specific mention of Christianity is unlikely to please Western Europe's estimated 10 million Muslims, or numerous other religious groups.
Serge Cwajgenbaum, Secretary General of the European Jewish Congress welcomed the draft but said, "what the EJC would oppose is an exclusive reference to 'Christian values'."
