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21 November 2025
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ARTICLE 17 TFEU | Annual EU-Churches meeting: COMECE urges stronger action to tackle religious discrimination and protect freedom of religion in the EU
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17 November - COMECE participated in the Article 17 TFEU Annual High-Level Meeting between the European Commission and religious leaders on the theme “Living together in increasingly polarised societies”. The meeting was hosted by Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration and the Commissioner responsible for the implementation of the Article 17 TFEU Dialogue.
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FORB | COMECE reiterates need to appoint EU coordinator in Europe to combat anti-Christian hatred and protect faithful
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19 November - COMECE intervened at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The event was organised in cooperation with the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) and the European Christian Political Party (ECPP). Adviser Calcagno reiterated COMECE’s encouragement to the EU institutions “not to be afraid to take bold steps to protect Christian faithful in Europe from intolerance, discrimination, hatred and ignorance”. Read the Press Release | Download the Speech
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SPEECH | The President of COMECE, Mgr Crociata, provides an analysis of the state of the Union
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10 November - The President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, took part in a conference held in Conegliano Veneto (Italy) on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Diocesan Social School. In his address, Mgr Crociata offered a thorough analysis of the European Union’s weaknesses, both internal and external, as well as the challenges and needs facing the EU at a crucial moment for the European integration project. The President’s contribution also included a series of practical recommendations for the faithful. Read the speech
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STATEMENT | A Catholic message in view of the 7th AU-EU Summit in Angola
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10 November - In view of the upcoming African Union–European Union Summit, taking place on 24-25 November 2025 in Luanda (Angola), COMECE, together with its partners, issued a joint statement entitled “For a partnership that brings justice for the African people”. The document advocates for “a Europe-Africa partnership grounded in mutual respect and oriented towards promoting integral human development and shared responsibility for our common home”. Read the Press Release | Download the Statement: EN | PT
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NEWS | COMECE reiterates key Catholic messages ahead of the AU-EU Summit in Angola
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19 November - Marek Mišák, COMECE Adviser on EU External Relations, participated in the event “Parallel People’s Summit: Civil Society Dialogue on Governance, Rights and AU-EU Cooperation”, organised by several Catholic-based organisations, including Caritas Europe, Caritas Africa, CIDSE, and Misereor. Mišák presented the key messages of a statement that COMECE, together with other Catholic actors, issued in recent days ahead of the AU-EU Summit. The statement focuses on extractivism and calls for a people-centred partnership that promotes local value addition. Read the Press Release | Read the Joint Statement | Read more about the event
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SPEECH | Mgr Crociata calls for unity, hope and responsibility to prevent European fragmentation
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7 November - In the recent conference «La solitudine dell’Europa: le Chiese e l’Unione» held in Albino (Italy) by SettimanaNews, Mgr Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, warned that Europe risks fragmentation unless its Christian Churches and Union rediscover a shared purpose. A timely call for unity, hope and mutual responsibility. Read the speech
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NEWS | COMECE Secretary General visits Dutch Bishops’ Conference to promote dialogue and collaboration
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11 November - The Dutch Bishops’ Conference welcomed Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto for an in-depth exchange about COMECE’s activities, its dialogue with the EU institutions, and its recent contributions to the EU policy-making process.
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The visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss some of COMECE’s most impactful initiatives and highlighted its ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration with national bishops’ conferences across Europe. Read the News
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NEWS | COMECE calls on the EU to take a leading international role in implementing a universal ban on surrogacy
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21 November - COMECE took part in the event “Surrogacy: An Ethical and Political Challenge for Europe”, held at the European Parliament in Brussels. COMECE has called on EU institutions to “take a leading role internationally in implementing a total and universal ban on surrogacy.”
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Hosted by MEPs Paolo Inselvini, Bert-Jan Ruissen and Stephen Bartulica, the event also included contributions from Eugenia Roccella, Italy’s Minister for Equal Opportunities, Family and Natality, and Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls. Read the News
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INTERVIEW | How could the EU become a true global actor, and what role could the Church play?
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14 November - What crisis is Europe facing? What momentum could make the EU a true global actor, and what role can the Church play? The President of COMECE, Mgr. Mariano Crociata, answered to these questions and many more in this insightful AgenSIR interview. The interview is available in English and Italian. Read the Interview EN | IT
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NEWS | COMECE praises European Parliament’s red lighting in support of persecuted faithful around the world
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19 November – Parts of the Brussels seat of the European Parliament were illuminated in red for the very first time in its history as an official gesture of solidarity with all those who are persecuted because of their faith, including the many Christian communities suffering persecution around the world.
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COMECE welcomed the initiative, promoted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) as part of global campaign ‘Red Wednesday’, calling it “an important sign of solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world”. Read the News
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NEWS | Mgr Baturi (CEI) presents 30 years of results of the Church-led Progetto Policoro at the European Parliament
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12 November - The President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), H.E. Mgr Giuseppe Baturi, took part in the event “30 Years of the Policoro Project” held at the European Parliament, Brussels, presenting the concrete results achieved over three decades by this Church-led initiative to counter youth unemployment. According to COMECE, this project could serve as a model for other Bishops’ Conferences and EU Member States. More info
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VIDEO | Mgr Crociata on the Church's contribution to the EU integration project
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9 November - At the recent Camaldoli meeting on "Christianity, conscience of Europe" organised by 'Il Regno', the President of COMECE Mgr Mariano Crociata reflected on the role of Churches towards the EU as one of accompaniment: engaging in dialogue, offering contributions inspired by a Christian vision of reality. Watch the video
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NEWS | Group of Italian students visits the Secretariat of COMECE
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24 October - The COMECE Secretariat welcomed a group of outstanding students from the Sant’Agostino Paritary School in Salsomaggiore Terme (Italy). The discussion focused on COMECE’s dialogue mission with EU institutions, particularly in the field of youth. The visit was facilitated by Don Bosco International. The group was received by Luca Fabbri, our Adviser on Culture, Education and Youth Policies.
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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 event will also feature the participation of COMECE President and General Secretary, Mgr. Mariano Crociats and Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto respectively. The evening will also include a convivial moment of refreshment for all participants.
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NEWS | COMECE promotes an ethical perspective on AI in European policy during conference at EESC
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17 November - COMECE took part in the "2nd Care Dialogue" with faith-based organisations and trade unions, hosted by the European Economic Social Committee (EESC). Our adviser Friederike Ladenburger highlighted COMECE's efforts to promote an ethical perspective on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in EU policy.
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