Despite wide objections during debate, the head of the convention drafting a European Union constitution said Friday he would propose including a reference to God in the charter's preamble rather than in the constitution itself.
Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, the convention chairman, said his conclusions from two days of debate on religion in the 105-member panel was that references to religion should not be included in the article addressing the EU's values.
"In the preamble to the constitution there will be a reference to the spiritual values or religious heritage or whatever," he said.
While conceding that many were "quite hostile" to including God, he denied that the issue had split the convention.
"It was good to have this discussion because our role is not to skirt around this issue," he said.
Delegates wrapped up debate on the first 16 draft articles of the EU constitution on the EU's values, objectives and areas of responsibility but came to no conclusions. Some 1,100 amendments were tabled demanding changes in everything from bolstering powers of EU institutions to demanding that the EU should not become a superstate.
But the most controversial debate was on God and his role in the EU.
The draft text so far does not include any reference to God or religion.
Conservatives pushed for a mention of God and Europe's Christian roots in an article dealing with European values.
Opposing the idea, 163 delegates and alternate members mostly socialists_ signed a petition demanding "no direct or indirect reference to any specific religion or belief."
Instead the group called on the text "to promote the right to freedom of religion ... of separation and independence between the State and the Church."
Extensive debate on religion and EU powers caused Giscard d'Estaing to agree to extend discussions in two extra convention meetings next month, but warned delegates not to get sidetracked or bogged down in semantics.
The convention chair said that the convention would meet its June deadline, when it has to present a final text to EU leaders.
"The convention's rhythm has been appropriate to its work," said Giscard d'Estaing.