Austrian Cardinal relocates to Brussels to insert Catholicism into EU policy-making

The Austrian bishop's conference held its plenary meeting in Brussels this month because it wants to be nearer the EU – where it hopes to increase its influence.

Cardinal Christoph Schornborn said that Christians should engage in EU decision-making with the bishops as their mouthpiece.

During the visit to Brussels, bishops had met various EU politicians who all stressed the contribution of the Church to "ethical, social and environmental questions."

The Cardinal said that sometimes it was necessary to compromise in order to "secure Christian values in Europe".