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15 September 2026
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🔴 HIGH-LEVEL EVENT | Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Magnifica humanitas to be presented in Brussels on 14 October 2026: Registration now open. Places are limited
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10 September - Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica humanitas will be officially presented in Brussels on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, during a high-level public event organised by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) at the Chapel for Europe, from 19:00 to 21:00 (CET). The event will feature contributions from EU and Church representatives, as well as experts in Artificial Intelligence. Registration is mandatory. Places are limited. Read the Press Release | Register now | Poster
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DOCUMENT | COMECE publishes position paper on erasure from baptismal registers
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4 September - COMECE published a position paper on key legal aspects in view of case C-12/25 Bisdom Gent, currently before the Court of Justice of the European Union. The document contributes to the public debate on the erasure of entries from baptismal registers in relation to EU data protection legislation. Read the Press Release | Download the Position Paper
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INTERVIEW | COMECE President Mgr Crociata on migration, European values and Europe’s identity crisis
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10 September - We invite you to read this interview with our President, Mgr Mariano Crociata, by Fionn Shiner for Crux, addressing some of today’s crucial questions on migration, European values and identity. The interview is in English. Read the interview
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ARTICLE | Ceuta crisis: Mgr Crociata calls for reflection from governments and citizens
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4 August - Amid the recent migration crisis in Ceuta (Spain), COMECE President Mgr Mariano Crociata shared his views with the press: "a humanity that matters to no one, and that people are actually trying to get rid of. There is much to reflect on." Read the full article
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EVENT | International Symposium, 22–23 September 2026: Churches and Religious Heritage in transformation
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3 September - COMECE invites you to the international symposium “Churches and Religious Heritage in transformation. The potential of sacred spaces as ‘third’ and ‘fourth’ places”, taking place on 22–23 September 2026 at the Secretariat of COMECE at Square de Meeûs 19/1, Ixelles, Brussels. Participation is open to the public. The international symposium will explore the potential of churches and other sacred spaces in a changing society, as places of encounter, exchange and community as well as distinctive forms of cultural heritage.
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The event builds on the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Lab “Renovation, transformation and renewal of church buildings and religious heritage in the EU”, officially established in November 2025 and headed by COMECE, the Catholic Private University of Linz (KU Linz), Austria and Future for Religious Heritage (FRH). Read the News | Registration | Programme
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NEWS | COMECE draws attention to the “Premières rencontres européennes des Bernardins” conference
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7 September - COMECE is pleased to draw attention to the conference “Premières rencontres européennes des Bernardins”, an important gathering dedicated to reflecting on the future of Europe and the values underpinning the European project. The event took place on Saturday, 12 September 2026 at the Collège des Bernardins, Paris, France.
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The conference brought together European political, religious, military, industrial, academic and civil society figures for a series of discussions on some of the key challenges facing Europe today. Among the prominent participants there was also H.Em. Card. Reinhard Marx, former President of COMECE (2012-2018) and an important voice in discussions on the European project and its ethical foundations. One of the panel discussions addressed the theme of “A Europe of Values: The Ethical Dimension of the European Union”, a document prepared by COMECE in March 2007. Read the News | COMECE document | More info
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EVENT | Reflecting on Europe’s freedom and future: book presentation with Prof. Elmar Nass at the European Parliament
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8 September - COMECE invites you to join a breakfast event at the European Parliament in Brussels on 29 September 2026, from 8.30 to 9.30 am, for the presentation of Fr. Prof. Elmar Nass’ new book, Europe’s Dream of Freedom. For Unity and Resilience in the Global Clash of Cultures.
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The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on Europe’s values, responsibilities and future in an increasingly contested global environment, followed by a discussion with the author and distinguished guests. The event is hosted at the European Parliament by MEP Dennis Radtke (EPP Group) and co-organised by COMECE. Read the News | Registration | Poster
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NEWS | Major DBK conference in Berlin to reflect on what sustains democracy and freedom in Europe
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10 September - COMECE is glad to have joined the St. Michael Reception in Berlin, a gathering of around 600 guests from politics, Church and civil society organised by the German Bishops' Conferences. Together, we reflected on what sustains democracy and freedom amid uncertainty and technological change. Read Mgr Heiner Wilmer’s address
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DOCUMENT | Bishops for the inner areas: broadening pastoral reflection and action
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31 August - We invite you to read this reflection by COMECE President Mgr Mariano Crociata, delivered at a recent event on internal areas held in Benevento (Italy) by the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI), highlighting proposals capable of making a concrete difference in people’s lives and communities. Read Mgr. Crociata's report
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ARTICLE | President of COMECE, Mgr Crociata: "Hybrid warfare, cyberattacks and disinformation pollute societies, spreading fear, tension and mistrust"
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1 September - In an article written in the context of the Season of Creation, the President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, argues that war is also a socio-ecological catastrophe, while the war economy fuels resource exploitation. Hybrid warfare, cyberattacks and disinformation pollute societies, spreading fear, tension and mistrust. We invite you to read this article. The text is in Italian. Read the Article
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NEWS | 2026 Season of Creation: mass celebrated at the European Parliament
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10 September - The General Secretary of COMECE Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto celebrated a mass at the European Parliament in the context of the Season of Creation. Participants prayed and reflected on the Christian call to care for our common home. Read the Homily | Read the News
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NEWS | Church delegation from Ghana visit COMECE Secretariat to exchange on enhancing access to quality education and entrepreneurship
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1 September - The Secretariat of COMECE welcomed Mgr John Baptist Attakruh and Fr Martin Kwesi Cromwell from Ghana. The exchange focused on the role of the Church and of the European Union in enhancing access to quality education and entrepreneurship n their country, as well as on ways to address illegal mining. The delegation was received by adviser Bazán, Mišák and Ladenburger.
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ARTICLE | Mgr Crociata calls for stronger international institutions amid growing global instability
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1 August - For 'Vita Pastorale', the President of COMECE Mgr Mariano Crociata reflected on the initiative 'Church G7', stressing that in a world marked by war, instability and technological change, multilateralism, international law and human dignity are essential for the global common good. Read the Article
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NEWS | Meet our new intern in External Affairs, Kateryna Voshkulat (Ukraine)
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1 September - We are happy to welcome Kateryna Voshkulat, who has started her internship in EU External Affairs, Peace & Development. Originally from Kyiv (Ukraine) Kateryna brings expertise in European studies and international politics. More info
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NEWS | Meet our new Press Office intern, Fr Joseph Oyewole Oyekunle (Nigeria)
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3 September - Happy to welcome Fr Joseph Oyewole Oyekunle, who will join our Press Office as an intern throughout September. Fr Joseph is a Nigerian priest currently studying institutional communication at the Pontifical University "Santa Croce", in Rome. Read info
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