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6 December 2024
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FoRB | COMECE at the European Parliament: “The time is mature for the appointment of an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred”
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4 December - In the context of the 27th edition of the European Prayer Breakfast held at the European Parliament, in Brussels, COMECE contributed to the conference on “Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Europe – Current challenges and future prospects”. COMECE: “The time is mature for the appointment of an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred in Europe”. Read the Press Release
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ASSEMBLY | EU bishops reflect on Europe’s future and challenges of the new institutional cycle
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29 November - The bishops of the European Union convened in Brussels from 27 to 29 November 2024 for the autumn Plenary Assembly of COMECE. Focus: peace, European integration, Single Market, the future of work in the EU and implementation of Article 17 TFEU. The next COMECE Plenary Assembly will be held in Italy from 26 to 28 March 2025. Press Release | Report of the President | Photo Gallery
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INTERVIEW | COMECE President comments on EP vote on von der Leyen Commission II
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29 November - The COMECE Assembly coincided with the European Parliament’s vote on the new European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen. In response, COMECE President Mgr. Mariano Crociata expressed satisfaction with the positive outcome of the vote, while also advocating for a future broader coalition in the EU parliament. “Europe has immense potential, but if divided, it risks losing its ability to act”, he stated. Full interview
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ASSEMBLY | Implementing Article 17 TFEU
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27 November - On the first day of the Assembly, the bishops engaged in a stimulating exchange with Dr Fearghas O’Beara, Head of Unit at the European Parliamentary Research Service, discussing the challenges and opportunities in implementing Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
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Dr O’Beara, author of a recent academic study on the EU’s engagement with religions, underscored the importance of investing in religious literacy and developing mechanisms to address intolerance and discrimination against religions and promote dialogue within the EU.
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This exchange with Dr O’Beara was important also in the context of the new EU institutional cycle, as it provided the bishops with the opportunity to reiterate their commitment to work with the EU institutions to strengthen the implementation of Article 17 TFEU. Photo Gallery
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ASSEMBLY | Workers' Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility
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28 November - On Thursday, discussions focused on the future of work in Europe amidst technological advancements, climate crisis challenges, and international economic tensions.
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The bishops welcomed a delegation of representatives from the International Christian Union of Business Executives (UNIAPAC), including President Sigrid Marz and the General Secretary Rodrigo Whitelaw, to reflect on workers’ rights and Christian business leaders’ social responsabilities in a rapidly changing world of work.
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The session between COMECE and UNIAPAC built on prior collaborations between these two organisations and aimed to strengthen their partnership. More info about UNIAPAC | Photo Gallery
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ASSEMBLY | Dialogue with Enrico Letta on the Much more than a Market Report
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29 November - On the final day of Assembly, the EU bishops met with Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Prime Minister of Italy, for an in-depth and wide-ranging discussion on the future of the EU Single Market.
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The dialogue drew on president Letta’s report, Much more than a Market, which advocates for transformative reforms to empower the European Single Market and the role of Europe in the world. President Letta highlighted the Church’s contribution in strengthening the EU, combating inequalities, and fostering social cohesion. He also emphasised that the Single Market’s future must prioritise the centrality of the human person. Letta’s full report | Photo Gallery
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ASSEMBLY | COMECE priority policies and the activity of the Youth Net
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28 November - The Assembly also provided a platform for members of the COMECE Youth Net presidency – Juan Luis Muñoz (Spain) and Benjamin Flores Martin (Malta) – to present their new contribution, with a focus on the challenges of migration and the integration of migrants into EU’s societies.
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During the Assembly, COMECE’s policy advisers briefed the bishops on various current and upcoming EU initiatives, covering topics such as child safeguarding, GDPR implementation, peace and integral human development, intergenerational dialogue, cultural heritage, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, freedom of religion outside of the EU, mental health, and the future of EU environmental policies. Photo Gallery
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ASSEMBLY | Mass for Europe celebrated in Brussels
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27 November - In the context of the Assembly, the EU bishops celebrated the Mass for Europe at the Church of Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon, in Brussels, on Wednesday, 27 November. The Mass was presided by Mgr. Mariano Crociata. The Mass featured musical accompaniment by the Polish choir Domino Cantes. Mgr. Crociata’s homily is available here. During the Mass, a special mention was made of Mgr. Noël Treanor, Nuncio to the EU, who sadly and unexpectedly passed away the 11th of August of this year. Read Mgr. Crociata homily | Photo Gallery
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ART. 17 TFEU | President Mgr. Crociata meets with EP Vice-President Antonella Sberna, new responsible for Article 17 TFEU Dialogue within the European parliament
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4 December - Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, and Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary, were received by Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament. Their exchange focused on the implementation of Article 17 TFEU Dialogue, for which she is responsible within the European Parliament. The COMECE delegation also congratulated Vice-President Sberna on her election as a Member of the European Parliament and expressed its commitment to collaborating for a more effective and concrete application of Article 17 TFEU.
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NEWS | EP President Metsola receives delegation from the COMECE Commission on Ethics
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3 December - Mgr. Anton Jamnik, President of the COMECE Commission on Ethics, together with coordinator Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Agius and adviser Friederike Ladenburger, met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to present COMECE current and future initiatives in the field of ethics. The meeting was also an opportunity to exchange on the importance of Church’s advocacy in the EU context.
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NEWS | COMECE-CEC delegation received by Hungarian Ambassador to exchange on HU24EU
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2 December - An ecumenical delegation composed by representatives of COMECE and CEC met with Ambassador Ódor Bálint from the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the European Union. Together, they exchanged perspectives on the work of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union on key issues, including protection of religious and cultural heritage, EU enlargement, demography and peace. Read COMECE-CEC contribution
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DEMOCRACY | Mgr. Bercea calls Romanians to look towards Europe, "the guarantor of freedom"
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5 December - Amid the uncertainty caused by Russian interference in the last Romanian Presidential elections, COMECE Bishop Delegate from Romania, Mgr. Virgil Bercea, recalls the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church’s commitment to integrating the country into universal European values. "Look towards Europe: this continent, of which Romania is part, is the guarantor of freedom." Read more
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NEWS | Autumn meeting of the COMECE Commission on Ethics
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2-3 December - Mgr. Anton Jamnik presided over the autumn meeting of the COMECE Commission on Ethics, where members discussed mental health, ethical challenges of democracy and EU biotechnology policies. The Commission is now preparing a contribution on EU mental health initiatives.
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NEWS | Mgr. Crociata blesses participants of the European Breakfast Prayer at the Parliament
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4 December - COMECE President Mgr. Mariano Crociata participated in the 2024 European Prayer Breakfast held at the European Parliament. He closed the event with a blessing for all participants. Read the Prayer
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ECUMENISM | COMECE receives delegations from IAO and CEC to implement Thessaloniki declaration on Christian values
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4 December - COMECE received delegations from the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) to discuss ways to continue implementing the declaration on Christian values signed in Thessaloniki on May 2024. Read the declaration
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EDUCATION | COMECE receives UER delegation to foster dialogue between EU policymakers and researchers
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22 November - COMECE received a delegation from the European University of Rome (UER) to address pressing geopolitical and socio-economic issues in Europe. The event fostered dialogue between EU policymakers and researchers, promoting collaboration for a stronger Europe. Read Mgr. Crociata's input | Photo Gallery
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PROTECTION OF MINORS | COMECE shares insights on the EU proposal to reform child sexual abuse laws
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21 November - COMECE adviser Alessandro Calcagno participated in a conference on safeguarding minors in the Church organised in Rome by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. He shared insights on COMECE's contribution on the EU proposal to reform child sexual abuse laws. Read the News (Photos courtesy of L. Iorfino)
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HOLY LAND | WCC delegation visits COMECE to share testimonies from the Holy Land
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3 December - The General Secretary of COMECE, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, received a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC), who shared testimonies of Christians in the Holy Land and perspectives for peace.
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VATICAN | Website of the Governorate is now also available in French
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6 December - The official website of the Governorate of the Vatican City State is now also available in French. The portal www.vaticanstate.va is thus enriched with content that is already available in Italian, English, and Spanish. "The goal," the website states, "remains to provide better communication to enhance knowledge of the Governorate and, in particular, the activities of the President and the Secretary General, as well as those of the various departments.
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Next at COMECE
9 December
Roundtable event with Caritas Europe on humanitarian development, peace nexus.
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10 December
A delegation of the Italian Bishops’ Conference Youth Pastoral team will visit the Secretariat of COMECE.
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10 December
Autumn meeting of the COMECE Commission on EU External Relations. The meeting will be presided over by Mgr. Jan Vokál.
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10 December
COMECE will participate in the Article 17 TFEU Seminar “The importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing Europe’s future challenges” to be held at the European Parliament and hosted by President Roberta Metsola.
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11 December
Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto will celebrate the holy mass (8h30) at the European Parliament, Brussels.
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General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto will participate in the Caritas Europe event on a just economy. He will give a COMECE contribution in the panel discussion on “Going beyond economic growth: Europe’s role in building a just economy for the common good".
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Mgr. Janusz Stepnowski will preside over the autumn meeting of the COMECE Commission on Culture and Education.
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COMECE General Secretary will participate in the autumn assembly of the European Laudatory Si' Alliance (ELSiA).
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Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, will be in Strasbourg on the occasion of the plenary session of the European Parliament.
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General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto will participate in the EPP Pre-Christmas Prayer and breakfast to be held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
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Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences
of the European Union
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Communication & Press Manager
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