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23 July 2026
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đȘđșđšđź IRISH EU PRESIDENCY | European Churches meet with Prime Minister MicheĂĄl Martin
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9 July - A delegation from COMECE and CEC met Irish Taoiseach MicheĂĄl Martin in Dublin in the context of Irelandâs Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The delegation was led by H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata (President of COMECE) and H.E. Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson (CEC representative). The delegation also included leaders of local Churches.
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Topics discussed included social cohesion, shared European values, peacebuilding, competitiveness and sustainability, migration and asylum policies, the Multiannual Financial Framework, humanitarian and development cooperation and a credible, citizen-centred EU enlargement process. Read the Press Release | Download the COMECE-CEC Joint Contribution
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DOCUMENT | COMECE publishes contribution to the future European Security Strategy
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2 July - As the European Union prepares its new Security Strategy, COMECE published its contribution entitled âA European Security Strategy at the service of peaceâ to offer reflections on the current debate on European security and defence.
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The document, which was already highly appreciated by different stakeholders, seeks to contribute constructively to the ongoing discussions by promoting a comprehensive understanding of security that remains firmly oriented towards peace, human dignity and the common good. The contribution puts forward five recommendations for the future European Security Strategy: a) Keep peace as the strategic objective; b) Expand the threat assessment beyond military risks; c) Strengthen conflict prevention and creative peacebuilding; d) Reinforce democratic oversight and ethical accountability; e) Embed the future European Security Strategy within a broader European Peace Strategy. Read the Press Release | Download the Contribution
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DOCUMENT | COMECE publishes Position Paper on the proposed âEU Inc.â and the 28th Regime for a European corporate legal framework
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22 July - COMECE has published a Position Paper on the proposed âEU Inc.â and the 28th Regime for a European corporate legal framework, currently under discussion in the Council of the European Union. With this document, COMECE welcomes efforts to strengthen the European Single Market while calling for robust social and governance safeguards. Read the Press Release | Download the Position Paper
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ACADEMIC ARTICLE | Mgr Crociata: "Christian roots are not just heritage to remember, but a living source of solidarity, responsibility and the common good"
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13 July - In his latest academic article, the President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, argues that Europe's crisis is cultural. Christian roots are not just heritage to remember, but a living source of solidarity, responsibility and the common good. The article "Radici divelte e monumenti vuoti: quale contributo puĂČ dare il cristianesimo alla coesione europea?" was published in ho theolĂłgos, the four-monthly journal of the Faculty of Theology of Sicily "San Giovanni Evangelista" in Palermo, Sicily. Read the Article
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VIDEO | Cardinal Robert Sarah at the European Parliament on EU-Africa relations
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15 July - Cardinal Robert Sarah delivered the keynote address on relations between Europe and Africa at an event hosted at the European Parliament in Brussels by MEPs Paolo Inselvini and Nicolas Bay. The programme also featured remarks by Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, and Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament with responsibility for the implementation of Article 17 TFEU. Cardinal Sarah's address is available here, while the full video recording of the event can be viewed here.
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DECLARATION | COMECE contributes to the Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace
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16 July - COMECE Adviser Marek MiĆĄĂĄk shared insights at the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly in Castel Gandolfo, Vatican, on Artificial Intelligence and nuclear weapons. Nobel Laureates, political leaders, eminent scientists and Church representatives developed the Rome Declaration for an Unarmed and Disarming Peace. More info and Declaration
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NEWS | Young Europeans gather in Belgium for the third edition of the European Summer School
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3 July - COMECE, in collaboration with the University Francisco de Vitoria (UFV) and the Institute for the Global Common Good (IBCG), successfully concluded the third edition of the European Summer School, held from 29 June to 3 July 2026 at the historic Oude Abdij Drongen, near Ghent, Belgium.
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Under the theme âRebirth or Irrelevance: Europeâs Urgent Choiceâ, this yearâs programme explored some of the most pressing challenges facing the European Union, including geopolitical developments, democratic resilience, demographic change and Europeâs role in an increasingly complex global landscape.
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Throughout the week, participants from across Europe engaged with distinguished speakers from political, diplomatic, academic and ecclesial backgrounds. Among the keynote contributors were Herman Van Rompuy, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Rocco Buttiglione, Frans van Daele. COMECE also played a central role in the academic programme through the contribution of its adviser JosĂ© Luis BazĂĄn. He delivered a session entitled âCatholic Social Teaching, Hope and Integral Formation: A Call to Action for Changeâ and contributed to the roundtable âWho will Europeans be tomorrow? Family, Demography and the Future of Europeâ. Read the News | Photo Gallery
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NEWS | What future for Jewish and Christian communities in Europe?
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8 July - The General Secretary of COMECE, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, participated in a lunch debate on the future of Jewish and Christian communities in Europe, organised by the EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue and held at the European Parliament, Strasbourg. In his contribution, Fr. Barrios Prieto stressed that "security is not enough. Europe's future depends on ensuring religious communities truly belong, can live their faith openly and contribute to the common good". Read Fr. Barrios Prieto's contribution
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NEWS | Webinar on rethinking EU-Africa relations: towards a more humane, accountable and just partnership
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1 July - COMECE, together with Caritas Europe, Pax Christi International, Justice and Peace Europa and the Africa-Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN) organised a webinar on EU-Africa relations. The event brought together faith-based partners from across Africa to exchange perspectives on rethinking EU-Africa relations, making them more humane, accountable and just. The discussion also offered an opportunity to highlight the contribution of local faith-based actors to concrete policy areas, such as peacebuilding, human development and climate action, encouraging the EU to seek partnerships with them in view of increasing the effectiveness of its external action on the ground.
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NEWS | COMECE warmly congratulates the new leadership of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
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23 June - COMECE warmly congratulates Sr Alessandra Smerilli on her appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development of the Holy See, Cardinal Fabio Baggio as Pro-Prefect and Mgr Jozef BarlaĆĄ as Secretary. We assure them of our prayers and wish them every blessing in their new mission.
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NEWS | 2026 team building day for the COMECE Secretariat staff
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10 July - As every year, the staff of the COMECE Secretariat enjoyed another memorable team building day! They retraced archaeologist Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun through immersive projections and virtual reality before visiting the Atomium. A great opportunity to step away from our daily routine, strengthen team spirit and share an inspiring day together.
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EU ADVOCACY IN ACTION
On 30 June, COMECE attended the EU Court hearing for the Case C-12/25, Bisdom Ghent, on the subject of 'erasure from baptismal registers'. The outcome of the hearing is being assessed in detail by the Secretariat of COMECE in view of an appropriate follow-up also in the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission.
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COMECE provided inputs to the ongoing discussions at the European Parliamentâs Committee level on the Regulation concerning the future âAgoraEUâ funding programme. The need to integrate a basis for funding opportunities to counter anti-Christian hatred was particularly highlighted.
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Protection of places of worship
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On 7 July, COMECE had a fruitful dialogue with French Senate member Ms Valérie Boyer, in the context of a working group presided by the Senator on protection of places of worship. Exchanges focused in particular on how to strengthen such protection in an EU perspective, highlighting the close link with the protection of freedom of religion. Considerations were also devoted more generally to countering anti-Christian hatred in the EU.
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EU-Africa partnership and next MFF
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In the context of the on-going negotiations on the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework, COMECE and its partners are elaborating recommendations for an equitable, value-based and people-centred EU-Africa partnership.
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COMECE, together with the Religious Authorities represented in the European Schools, is preparing a joint proposal in response to the proposed reform of the European Schools curriculum, which would remove Religious Education as a compulsory subject during the final two years of secondary education.
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At a meeting organised by COMECE in June 2026, the Religious Authorities reiterated their disappointment with the proposed reform. They agreed to submit a joint proposal in autumn 2026, outlining a solution that would ensure Religious Education remains available to all interested pupils during the final two years of their schooling
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Meeting of the Executive Committee of Justice and Peace Europa.
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COMECE General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto will participate in the CCEE-CEC Joint Committee.
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Online meeting of the COMECE Standing Committee.
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Meeting of the Steering Group of the European Sunday Alliance (ESA).
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General Assembly and International Workshop of Justice and Peace Europa, to be held in Glashow, Scotland.
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Symposium New European Bauhaus LAB on reuse of Churches to take place in Brussels.
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Autumn meeting of the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission to be presided by Mgr Hoogenboom.
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COMECE will participate in the 26th Krakow Conference.
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Autumn meeting of the COMECE Commission on Migration and Asylum to be presided by Mgr Hal'ko.
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2026 Autumn Plenary Assembly of COMECE to be held in Brussels.
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Commission of the Bishopsâ Conferences
of the European Union
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