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16 May 2025
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🇻🇦 POPE LEO XIV | Mgr. Crociata: “Joy and deep gratitude to the Lord for the new Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV”
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8 May - In a note published on Thursday, 8 May, Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, expressed joy and deep gratitude to the Lord for the new Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. "For all of us, for COMECE, today is a day of celebration and gratitude. We look forward with hope and confidence to the opportunity to meet the Holy Father, to receive from him encouragement and guidance in our mission of dialogue with the institutions of the European Union. In an international context marked by a plurality of crises and common challenges, our desire is to walk a common path, to journey together, supporting the Pontiff in his work", Mgr. Crociata said. Read the News and the full note EN | IT
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📺 VIDEO | Group leaders at the European Parliament paid tribute to Pope Francis
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5 May - Political groups leaders at the European Parliament paid tribute to Pope Francis, honouring his legacy and memory. Watch the full video recording
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🇪🇺 STATEMENT | Europe Day: A call for greater unity amid global challenges
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9 May - On the occasion of Europe Day, COMECE has released a declaration by its President, Mgr. Mariano Crociata. "We call for ‘more Europe’ to prevent the tangible risk of irrelevance in an increasingly harsh global landscape. We dream of a Europe that champions peace and the promotion of fundamental rights as its core mission. We aspire for Europe to fulfil its potential to resolve violent conflicts and inspire hope for peace, acting as a united, reliable, and integrative force", said Mgr. Crociata. Read the Declaration
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📖 BOOK | COMECE invited the EU to join in prayer for the Conclave and honored Pope Francis with a new publication
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7 May - On the opening of the Conclave, the President of COMECE, Mgr. Mariano Crociata, invited everyone to join “spiritually, accompanying with prayer the delicate task of the College of Cardinals.” In this context, COMECE also announced the publication of the volume “Pope Francis and Europe – A collection of speeches for peace”, as a tribute to the attention that Pope Francis has dedicated to Europe and the European Union.
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This booklet will be distributed to the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union and to the representatives of the European institutions. Additionally, an English copy will be available at the COMECE Secretariat for anyone who wishes to consult it. Read the News
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🌍 STATEMENT | COMECE and SECAM send a joint message to European and African foreign ministers
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15 May - Ahead of the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers from the African Union and the European Union, COMECE and SECAM issued a joint statement calling for a renewed, just and people-centred partnership between the two regions. COMECE: “Africa does not need charity, nor does it need to be a battleground for external interests. What it needs is justice and a partnership grounded in mutual respect, environmental stewardship, and the centrality of human dignity”. Download the Statement
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📰 NEWS | Mgr. Stepnowski presides spring meeting of the COMECE Commission on Culture and Education
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16 May - Chaired by Mgr. Janusz Stepnowski, the COMECE Commission on Culture and Education met on 15 and 16 May to discuss current EU policies in the fields of education and culture that are high on the EU agenda. Experts exchanged with EU officials on the Union of Skills, the structure of Erasmus+ in the context of the current MFF negotiations, strategies for more accessibility of culture and heritage, and early school leaving across the EU Member States.
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🎓 OPPORTUNITY | 2nd European Summer School with a focus on Security and Defence. Apply now!
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15 May - We are pleased to announce the launch of applications for the second edition of the European Summer School, organised by the School of Governance and Leadership Isabel la Católica in collaboration with COMECE. This year’s event will be held from 5 to 13 July 2025 in the historic Monastery of Poblet, a stunning former medieval fortress in Catalonia (Spain).
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Applicants who mention they learned about the programme through COMECE on their application form are eligible for up to an 80% reduction on tuition fees. This unique opportunity ensures that participation is accessible to all motivated young leaders who share an interest in the mission of COMECE. Deadline: 20 June 2025. Read More | Apply now!
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🎓 EVENT | Join the Conference: ‘Religious Education – Fit for the Present and Future?’ | Brussels, June 2025 – Register Now!
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16 May - COMECE warmly invites you to participate in the conference “Religious Education: Fit for Present and Future? The Role of Religion in the Formation of Young Generations at the European Schools”, to take place at the Chapel for Europe (Rue Van Maerlant 22, Brussels) on Wednesday, 4 June 2025 from 19:30 to 21:00 (CEST).
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Amid ongoing discussions on educational reform, this event aims to spark dialogue on the role of Religious Education within the unique setting of the European Schools, underlining its significance for today’s youth. The keynote speech will be offered by Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission’s Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life. Registered participants residing outside of Brussels will receive a link for online participation. More info | Register now!
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🎙 PODCAST | How does the loss of churches impact local communities?
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16 May - Following the screening of "Making Dust", a documentary on the loss of churches and their impact on communities, COMCE adviser Emilio Dogliani discussed this phenomenon on the RCF programme "A soul for Europe". More info about the Documentary | Listen to the Podcast
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NEWS | Group of priests from Montpellier visits the Secretariat of COMECE
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7 May - A group of priests from the Archdiocese of Montpellier, France, visited the Secretariat of COMECE in order to learn more about its mission of dialogue with the EU institutions. The group was received by COMECE adviser Emilio Dogliani. We are grateful for this visit and for the valuable inputs received. If you would like to organise a meeting with us, do not hesitate to contact us.
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Next at COMECE
15-16 May
Spring meeting of the COMECE Commission on Culture and Education to take place in Brussels. The meeting will be presided over by Mgr. Janusz Stepnowski.
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19-20 May
Spring meeting of the COMECE Commission on External Affairs to take place in Brussels.
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21 May
Meeting of the COMECE Standing Committee to be held online and chaired by Mgr. Mariano Crociata.
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The COMECE Presidency will be received in audience by Pope Leo XIV.
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26 May
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA).
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27-28 May
Spring meeting of the COMECE Commission on Migration and Asylum to be held at the COMECE Secretariat and chaired by Mgr. Jozef Haľko.
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Executive Committee meeting of Justice and Peace Europe.
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Adviser Johannes Moravitz will represent COMECE during the Article 17 dialogue seminar "Housing in the EU: Strategies for a Europe that supports people, families and younger generations", to be held at the European Parliament and hosted by MEP Antonella Sberna, EP Vice-President and Responsible for Article 17 TFEU.
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COMECE organises the event "Religious education: fit for present and future? The role of Religion in the formation of young generations at the European Schools", to be held at the Chapel for Europe, Brussels, from 19:30 to 21:00. Info & Registration
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Adviser Friederike Ladenburger and Emilio Dogliani will participate in the FUCE General Assembly.
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The European Laudatory Si' Reflection Day will be held at COMECE Secretariat. The event is organised by all organisations within the European Laudatory Si' Alliance (ELSiA). More info in the next days.
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A group of Spanish bishops will visit the COMECE Secretariat to meet with its staff, as well as representatives of EU institutions.
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Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto will participate in the Annual CCEE meeting of General Secretaries of European Episcopates. The meeting will take place in Istanbul, Turkey.
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Spring meeting of the COMECE Youth Net to take place in Budapest, Hungary.
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A group of students and professors from the University CEU San Pablo will visit the Secretariat of COMECE to learn more about its mission of dialogue with the EU institutions.
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5-13 July
European Summer School to take place in the Monastery of Poblet (Spain). Info & Application
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Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences
of the European Union
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Communication & Press Manager
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