H.E. Mgr. Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations speaking at 2023 COMECE Spring Assembly, in Rome. (Photo: Cristian Gennari/Siciliani/COMECE)
Bishop delegates from the Episcopates of the European Union will convene in Brussels for the COMECE Autumn Assembly, scheduled from 27 to 29 November 2024. Among others, the event will feature the participation of former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta. The assembly will focus on Article 17 of the TFEU and explore the future of the EU in the context of recent elections and the current geopolitical turmoil.
Following the recent European Parliament elections, the EU bishops will discuss the future of the European Union in relation to the current international geopolitical context, characterised by war, unrest, and instability in various regions of the world.
Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Foundation and former Prime Minister of Italy, will provide inputs on this aspect. The bishops of the European Union will also have the opportunity to engage with him on social, economic and political challenges facing the Union.
The COMECE Autumn Assembly will also serve as an opportunity to reflect on the implementation of Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which came into force in 2009 with the Lisbon Treaty. This article establishes an open, transparent and regular dialogue between Churches and the institutions of the European Union. The bishops will discuss this topic with Fearghas O’Beara, Head of Unit at the European Parliamentary Research Service and author of an academic study on the way the EU deals with religion.
Another topic of concern is the future of work in Europe, particularly in light of technological advances, the challenges posed by the climate crisis, and economic tensions at the international level. The COMECE bishops will examine these issues in collaboration with national presidents of the International Christian Union of Business Executives (UNIAPAC).
Finally, the Assembly will include a session to explore ways of integrating elements of the recent document on the Synod of Synodality into the work activities of COMECE.
The COMECE Plenary Assembly is a closed-door event. Journalists and media professionals interested in interviewing bishops are strongly encouraged to contact the COMECE Press Office in advance.
The programme of the Assembly also includes a Mass for Europe, to be celebrated by H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, and concelebrated by the bishop delegates of the Episcopates of the 27 EU Member States.
The Mass for Europe will take place at the Church of Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon (Place du Grand Sablon, Brussels) on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, at 18:30 (CET). It will feature musical accompaniment by the Polish choir ‘Domino Cantes.’ The Mass is open to the public.