NEWS

Young Catholics discovering EU institutions

COMECE hosted a 4-days-visit of 20 young people from the UK to the EU institutions and to Church organisations. Meeting EU Officials from the European Commission, the European Council and its UK Task Force as well as MEP Jean Lambert. They got the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about the EU and its policies, about burning issues like Brexit and about EU-topics that are of importance and concern for the Church.

(Credit: COMECE)

Part of them are Heythrop College Students following a master-programme in Political Philosophy whilst the others are part of the Catholic Parliamentary and Public Affairs Internship Scheme. This Internship programme, which is supported by COMECE, began in 2003 and provides up to nine recently graduated Catholics with intensive experience of political and social action in a spiritual context.

Each year these interns are invited for a week of visit to discover the EU institutions and the advocacy work of Brussels based Church organisations. This part of the programme is organised by Michael Kuhn from COMECE.

In addition to educational work experience at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, sponsored by the Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, all of the interns also follow individually retreats and spiritual guidance throughout the year. Each intern is taking part in a master-course in Political Theology and Catholic Social Teaching at Heythrop College as well as exploring the political landscape and the Church’s involvement in social action through a series of events.

Social media: #internsontour @catholicinterns @faithinpolitics