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31 March 2026
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EASTER MESSAGE | Mgr Mariano Crociata ahead of Easter 2026
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30 March - The President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, wishes to share a message in view of the forthcoming celebration of Easter, in a context marked by growing conflicts and tensions, renewing the call for the European Union to promote peace, dialogue and solidarity among peoples. Read the Press Release | Read the message [EN – IT]
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NEWS | European Parliament vote on return policies raises serious concerns about the EU’s commitment to its fundamental values
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27 March - COMECE expresses its deep concern following the recent vote of the European Parliament on new EU return policies in the field of migration. According to COMECE, "this vote signals a troubling political shift within the Parliament, enabling the emergence of new majorities on issues of fundamental importance". In a press release, the Secretariat of COMECE highlighted that such developments "risk reshaping the European Union’s approach to key areas, including migration and the protection of our common home, in ways that may depart from its foundational values". Read the Press Release | Download the Press Release [EN – IT – ES – FR]
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NEWS | COMECE congratulates Mairead McGuinness on appointment as EU Special Envoy for FoRB
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26 March - The Secretariat of COMECE congratulated Mairead McGuinness on her appointment as EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union, announced on Thursday 26 March 2026.
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“This role is a key component of the EU’s external action and is essential for advancing the protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief worldwide,” Mgr Crociata explained. According to COMECE, the presence of a dedicated Special Envoy is more necessary than ever in today’s global context, marked by increasing discrimination and persecution affecting individuals, religious minorities, and faith communities in many regions, the majority of whom are Christians.
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To ensure the effectiveness of the Envoy’s mission and to make full use of Ms McGuinness’s expertise, Mgr Crociata reiterated COMECE’s call to “endow the position, without further delay, with a strong mandate and to provide it with adequate human and financial resources.” Read the Press Release
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ECUMENISM | 1,400th anniversary of the solemn Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God
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25 March - It was a great honour to attend an event marking the 1,400th anniversary of the solemn Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God. Organised by the Committee of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU), the celebration also featured the participation of Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, with whom COMECE had a fruitful exchange. COMECE was represented by its President Mgr Mariano Crociata, its General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, and its Adviser José Luis Bazán.
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Composed in the 6th century and traditionally attributed to St. Romanos the Melodist, the Akathist Hymn is one of the most treasured works of Byzantine liturgical poetry. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it has been chanted for centuries — especially during Great Lent — offering profound theological insight and a message of faith, consolation, and hope in times of difficulty and uncertainty. This anniversary celebrates not only a historic text, but a living spiritual tradition that continues to inspire faith, prayer and perseverance throughout the world. Photo Gallery
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INTERVIEW | Mgr Crociata on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the role of the Church and the European Union
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9 March - The President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, was interviewed by the Italian TV channel Telepace on the ongoing geopolitical crisis in the Middle East. Following an analysis of the situation, Mgr Crociata expressed the concerns of the EU bishops and outlined the role the European Union should play in an increasingly unstable international context. He also reiterated that “the Church has a duty to pursue all diplomatic avenues to resolve conflicts and address their root causes.” Watch the interview
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NEWS | Archbishop Inácio Saúre of Nampula at the European Parliament on violence against Christians in Mozambique
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26 March - A heartfelt thank you to Archbishop Inácio Saúre of Nampula for his testimony and analysis on violence against Christians in Northern Mozambique. The archbishop participated in a conference hosted at European Parliament by MEPs Margarita de la Pisa Carrión and György Hölvényi and organised by the Policy Group for FoR of the Patriots Group at the European Parliament. Mgr Saúre highlighted the positive role of the Church, being on the ground and offering social, educational and health assistance to those in need.
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NEWS | Spring meeting of the COMECE Social Affairs Commision
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15-16 March - Mgr Galea-Curmi chaired the spring meeting of the COMECE Social Affairs Commission. During this two-day meeting, experts delegated by the EU Bishops’ Conferences focused on a range of topics, including integral human development in the context of current geopolitical and technological transitions, the EU anti-poverty strategy, the future of social investment, the EU affordable housing plan, and the future of work. Photo Gallery
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NEWS | Apostolic Nuncio to the EU Mgr Auza visits COMECE to discuss key issues on the EU agenda
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18 March - Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, paid a visit to our Secretariat, where he met with staff and exchanged views on a variety of topics related to the role of the Catholic Church in Europe and worldwide, as well as on key issues on today’s EU and COMECE agendas.
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NEWS | Mgr Crociata and the COMECE staff discuss key policy issues in view of EU bishops' Assembly in Cyprus
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26 March - The President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, participated in a working breakfast with the Secretariat team. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to exchange views on key policy issues currently on the agendas of both the EU institutions and COMECE, including EU policies on migration and asylum, as well as rearmament. The discussion also helped to shape some of the main points for reflection on these topics, which will be addressed at the upcoming Assembly of EU bishops to be held in Cyprus at the end of April.
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INTERVIEW | Why is it important to establish an EU Coordinator to combat anti-Christian hatred?
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14 March - Adviser Alessandro Calcagno was interviewed by the Italian news agency AgenSIR on the recent COMECE call for the establishment of an EU Coordinator for combatting Anti-Christian Hatred, as also recommended by the European Parliament in a recent resolution. The interview is available in Italian at this link.
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NEWS | COMECE assures the prayers of EU bishops for the victims and the injured of the 2016 terrorist attacks in Brussels
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22 March - On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks in Brussels, the Secretariat of COMECE assured the prayers of the EU bishops for the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the attacks that struck two of the most vibrant areas of Brussels in 2016. The anniversary also provided an opportunity to express closeness and gratitude to Brussels, Belgium, and to the local Bishops’ Conference for hosting and supporting COMECE’s advocacy work.
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NEWS | COMECE participates in European Commission conference on EU preparedness
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24 March - Our adviser Marek Mišák participated in the EU Preparedness Conference held in Brussels by the European Commission. The event featured the participation of Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner on Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the conference, our adviser highlighted the role of religious actors in fostering spiritual resilience, mobilising volunteers and reaching the most vulnerable during crises.
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YOUTH | Portuguese national Jorge Costa Braga joins the COMECE Secretariat as an intern in EU external affairs
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27 February - We are happy to welcome Jorge Costa Braga, a young professional joining our Secretariat as an intern in EU External Affairs. He is Portuguese, studied law and is currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme in Public Regulation & Competition Law. if you would like to know more about Jorge, click here.
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NEWS | Zambian Church delegation visits COMECE Secretariat to discuss cooperation on debt and raw material extraction impacts
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25 March - The Secretariat of COMECE received the visit of Fr Daniel Mutale SJ, Director of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, to discuss stronger collaboration on tackling the debt crisis in Africa, as well as impacts of raw material extraction in Zambia and across Africa. Fr Mutale was received by our adviser Marek Mišák. The visit was facilitated by Elvis Ng’andwe from the Africa-Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN).
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NEWS | COMECE joins retreat of ELSiA at the Taizé Community. Focus: integral ecology
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5-6 March - COMECE General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto and Adviser Lenka Mačugová participated in a retreat of the European Laudato Si' Alliance (ELSiA) at the Taizé Community, France. Spanning three days, the event was a shared exploration of what integral ecology means today, not only as a framework of thought, but also as a way of being, relating and acting in an ever-changing world. Participants reflected on ecology in terms of its full interconnectedness, considering not only the environmental aspect, but also the social, spiritual, economic, relational and geopolitical aspects. COMECE was a founding member of ELSiA and became an observer member in 2026. Read more
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STATEMENT | Pontifical Academy for Life launches global call to action “Scientists for Peace”, open to researchers, scientists and academics from all disciplines
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2 March - "Scientists for Peace" is a global call to action by Hly See's Pontifical Academy for Life and sponsored by the vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The call is open to scientists, researchers and academics from all disciplines, of any nationality, culture, political and religious tradition. If you would like to learn more about it and/or sign it, click here.
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