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7 November 2025
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đź”´ DOCUMENT | Updated Charta Ĺ’cumenica marks a milestone towards Christian unity in Europe
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5-6 November - With a historic step towards Christian unity, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) launched the Updated Charta Œcumenica on Wednesday 5 November 2025 in Rome. This joint document marks a milestone in the ecumenical journey of European Churches, renewing their commitment to walk together in dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared witness in response to the challenges of our time. Read the News | Photo Gallery
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NEWS | COMECE General Secretary meets with Pope Leo XIV
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6 November - COMECE General Secretary, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, participated as a member of the CCEE–CEC Joint Committee for the updated Charta Œcumenica and had the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican during the presentation of the new document on Thursday, 6 November 2025.
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NEWS | Mgr Anton Jamnik presides autumn meeting of our Commission on Ethics
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3-4 November - Mgr Anton Jamnik presided the Autumn meeting of our Commission on Ethics. The meeting focused on the following topics: developments and prospects of Artificial Intelligence, values of the European Union, mental health and demography. The Secretariat of COMECE is thankful to the bishop, to the moderator Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Agius and to all experts and guests for the valuable inputs and suggestions shared during this productive meeting. Photo Gallery
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NEWS | COMECE meets with EU Commissioner Brunner to discuss Article 17 TFEU
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23 October - We had the opportunity to meet EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner for the second time in October to discuss Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union implementation. We are grateful to the EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue for this constructive event at the European Parliament and for inviting our General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto.
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NEWS | Brazilian church delegation visits Brussels to highlight the situation of indigenous communities in South America
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27 October - A delegation from the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI), led by H.Em. Cardinal Leonardo Steiner, visited the Secretariat of COMECE to draw attention to the situation of indigenous peoples in Brazil and across South America. The delegation emphasised the importance of maintaining high due diligence standards for companies, including European businesses operating in South America, in order to prevent human rights violations and environmental damage. Read the News | Photo Gallery
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NEWS | COMECE coorganises high-level meeting in Camaldoli (Italy) on Christianity as the conscience of Europe
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6 November – The Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), in collaboration with the Monastery of Camaldoli and the magazine Il Regno, is hosting a major event in Camaldoli, Italy, titled “Cristianesimo, coscienza d’Europa” from 6 to 9 November.
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The meeting brings together high-level speakers, including Romano Prodi (former President of the European Commission and former Italian Prime Minister), Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference), Mgr Andrea Migliavacca (Bishop of Arezzo), Marco Buti (economist), Olivier Roy (analyst), Fabrizio Bosin, Pierre Gisel, Hans-Christoph Askani and Pietro Stefani (theologians), Massimo Borghesi and Carlo Scilironi (philosophers), Daniele Menozzi (historian) and Antonio Di Bella, Anna Foa and Gianfranco Brunelli (journalists).
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On the final day, COMECE President Mgr. Crociata will address the audience. His speech will be made available on the COMECE website on Monday, 10 November.
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NEWS | European Sunday Alliance welcomes EC initiative to explore legislative measures on fair telework and a right to disconnect
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24 October - In a recent statement, the European Sunday Alliance (ESA) welcomed the European Commission’s initiative to explore legislative measures on fair telework and the right to disconnect. The Alliance called on the European Commission to “consider a regulation on the right to disconnect, either in addition to or in the form of a new Working Time Directive,” and “to include a common day of rest in such a legislative proposal.”
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COMECE is a founding member of the European Sunday Alliance. The Alliance is a broad network of more than 100 national Sunday alliances, trade unions, employers’ organisations, civil society associations, churches, and religious communities in the European Union. It is committed to raising awareness about the unique value of Sunday for society and the importance of a common day of rest. Read the News | Read the ESA opinion
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EVENT | 30 Years of the Policoro Project at the European Parliament: countering youth unemployment through the contribution of the Church
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3 November - The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) encourages you to participate in the event “30 Years of the Policoro Project” to be held at the European Parliament on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, from 11:00 to 12:30.
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The Policoro Project is an initiative of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) launched in 1995 with the aim of promoting youth employment in Southern Italy and countering youth unemployment and emigration, especially in the poorest regions of the country.The event at the European Parliament aims to celebrate the anniversary and outline the future prospects of this initiative of the Italian Bishops’ Conference which, over time, has helped ensure that young people formed spiritually, economically, and culturally could serve other young people wishing to embark on a professional activity.
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The meeting will take place in Room Altiero Spinelli 1H1 of the European Parliament, Brussels, from 11:00 to 12:30. For information and registration, send an email. Read the News | Register now!
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EVENT | Presentation of the book “The Prophetic Charism of the Catholic Bishop” by Mgr Patrick H. Daly
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6 November - The Secretariat of COMECE is pleased to invite you to the presentation of the book The Prophetic Charism of the Catholic Bishop – Munus Docendi: The Bishop as Teacher by Mgr. Patrick H. Daly, former General Secretary of COMECE. The event will take place at the COMECE Secretariat, Square de Meeûs 19, Brussels, on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at 19:00. Mgr. Daly’s book explores the prophetic dimension of the bishop’s mission, focusing on the munus docendi — the bishop as teacher. Through an in-depth study of thirty bishops across two millennia of Church history, the author highlights their exceptional ability to communicate the truths of the Catholic faith.After the author presents his book, H.E. Mgr. Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Down and Connor, will make an address in response to The Prophetic Charism. The evening will also include a convivial moment of refreshment for all participants.
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INITIATIVE | COMECE joins Mgr. Ballot in inviting everyone to a time of prayer for world peace through the intercession of the venerable Robert Schuman
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2 November - The Secretariat of COMECE joins Mgr Philippe Ballot, Archbishop of the Diocese of Metz, France, in inviting everyone to a time of prayer for world peace. The Novena for world peace, through the intercession of the venerable Robert Schuman, one of the fouding fathers of the European project, encourages us all to become sentinels of fraternity. Join the Novena
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INITIATIVE | Sign the petition advocating for the protection of FoRB
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5 November - Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched a petition advocating for the urgent global protection and promotion of the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. You can sign the petition here
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DOCUMENT | ACN launched its 2025 Religious Freedom Report
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23 October - Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched its 2025 Religious Freedom Report, the only global NGO study tracking religious freedom in every country. Our adviser José Luis Bazán contributed to it, as well as to the Executive Summary with articles on faith-based persecution, FoRB, Artificial Intelligence. Read 2025 ACN Report | Read José Luis Bazán's articles
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NEWS | Mgr. Hudson appointed bishop of the Diocese of Plymouth
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21 October - Pope Leo XIV has appointed Mgr. Nicholas Hudson as Bishop of the Diocese of Plymouth. The Secretariat of COMECE warmly congratulates Mgr. Hudson, who serves as the Observer Bishop Delegate of Bishops' Conference of England and Wales to the Assembly of COMECE. We assure him of our prayers for his new mission. Read more
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Next at COMECE
Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto will be at the Dutch Bishops' Conference.
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Italian Bishops' Conference event at the European Parliament, presending 30 years of activities of the Progetto Policoro. Info & Registration
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High-level EU-Religious leaders annual meeting organised by the European Commission. COMECE will be represented by H.E. Mgr. Czeslaw Kozon. The event will feature a dialogue session with EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner.
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The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) will present its Report on Anti-Christian Hatred in Europe at the European Parliament. The event will also feature the contribution of COMECE Adviser Alessandro Calcagno.
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Adviser Alessandro Calcagno will participate in the CCEE meeting of legal advisers of Bishops' Conferences of Europe, which will take place in Edimburgh (UK). The event will focus on the revision of Canon Law and the reform of the Church.
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A COMECE-CCEE ecumenical delegation will meet with Morten Dahlin, Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs of Denmark. The meeting will take place in Copenhagen in the context of the Danish Presidency of the European Council and will be followed by a series of side events and meeting with Danish political and religious representatives.
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H.E. Mgr. Janusz Stepnowski will preside over the autumn meeting of the COMECE Commission on Culture and Education.
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COMECE Adviser José Luis Bazán will participate in a summit focused on religious persecution. The meeting will take place in Prague.
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H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, will be in Brussels.
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H.E. Mgr. Kieran O’Reilly will preside over the autumn meeting of the COMECE Commission on EU External Relations to be held online.
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COMECE General Secretary Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto will intervene as a speaker in the Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Seminar organised by the European Parliament on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The meeting is hosted by EP Vice-President Antonella Sberna.
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COMECE will participate in the 28th annual European Prayer Breakfast, organised at the European Parliament by a group of MEPs.
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Presentation of the book The Prophetic Charism of the Catholic Bishop – Munus Docendi: The Bishop as Teacher by Mgr. Patrick H. Daly, former General Secretary of COMECE. The event will take place at the COMECE Secretariat, Square de Meeûs 19, Brussels, on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at 19:00. Info & Registration
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Mgr. Crociata will preside over the monthly meeting of the COMECE Standing Committee.
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Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences
of the European Union
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Communication & Press Manager
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