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6 March 2026
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STATEMENT | EU bishops welcome EC decision on ‘My voice, my choice’, caution against ESF+ for abortion services
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4 March - The Presidency of COMECE welcomes the decision of the European Commission not to establish a new funding programme as requested by the citizens’ initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice’. The leadership of the bishops of the EU, however, express concerns over the possibility of mobilising the existing European Social Fund Plus to provide cross-border abortion services. Read the Press Release | Read the Statement: EN | IT | DE | ES | FR | SK
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STATEMENT | COMECE President Mgr Crociata expresses concern over Middle East escalation and calls on the EU to relaunch diplomacy
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4 March - In a short statement, the President of the COMECE, H.E. Mgr Mariano Crociata, expresses deep concern over the recent escalation of violence in Iran and across the Middle East, and calls on the EU and its Member States to promote de-escalation and relaunch diplomatic efforts. Mgr Mariano Crociata calls on the European Union to remain united and to renew its vocation as a project of peace by promoting de-escalation, relaunching diplomatic efforts, and upholding international law, “including in the field of nuclear non-proliferation”.
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The President of COMECE also urges the EU to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens, both in the Middle East and within its borders, while addressing potential consequences such as disruptions to energy supply. Read the Press Release | Read the Statement: EN | SK |
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SPEECH | COMECE Presidency joins meeting at the European Parliament, highlighting importance of Article 17 TFEU and positive role of Churches in today’s complex times
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3 March - The President of COMECE, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, contributed to a conference on Article 17 TFEU organised at the European Parliament by the EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue. "Such dialogue - he stressed - has greater weight today due to the role Churches can play in these complex times". His speech is available in English and Italian.
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ARTICLE | COMECE First Vice-President calls on the EU to promote negotiations amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East
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4 March - In an op-ed published in the French daily newspaper La Croix, the First Vice-President of COMECE, H.E. Mgr. Antoine Hérouard stresses that, as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, the European Union can play a key role in promoting negotiation and respect for international law. Read the op-ed in French
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SPEECH | President Mgr Crociata calls on EU and national politicians to "act to overcome inequalities and give people a sense of perspective and hope for the future"
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5 March - Speaking at a conference on competitiveness and cohesion held in Viterbo (Italy) by the ECR Group in the European Parliament, the President of COMECE, H.E. Mgr Mariano Crociata, called on EU and national politicians to act to overcome inequalities and give people a sense of perspective and hope for the future. The text in Italian is available here
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NEWS | COMECE General Secretary joins CEC meetings in Cyprus in the context of CY2026EU
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27 February - In the context of the 2026 Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, our partner Conference of European Churches (CEC) organised in Nicosia (Cyprus) a series of meetings with representatives of the Cyprus government and of the local Greek Orthodox Church. COMECE General Secretary, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, was invited to participate as guest. Read more
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NEWS | 2026 spring meeting of the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission
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4-5 March - H.E. Mgr Theodorus C.M. Hoogenboom presided over the 2026 spring meeting of our Legal Affairs Commission. The event gave the opportunity to address in fruitful and frank dialogue with the European Commission juridical issues such as EU State aid laws and their impact on the non-profit sector; the challenges posed by the principle of subsidiarity; the state of EU jurisprudence on marriage in cross-border situations; as well as the reform of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, with regard to its implications for the protection of minors.
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Internal sessions were also devoted to various EU and national law developments concerning both data protection and the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
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NEWS | New EU anti-terrorism Agenda responds to COMECE call on strengthening protection places of worship in the Union
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26 February - The European Commission has published a new agenda to prevent and counter terrorism in the European Union. The document stresses that “protecting all faith communities from hatred, discrimination and violence remains a core European commitment”.
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The text (cf. pages 13–14) contains a specific and well-developed section dedicated to the protection of places of worship “of all faiths”, thereby including Christian churches.
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These elements respond to repeated calls made by the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) under the dossier “Justice & Fundamental Rights”.
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Over the years, COMECE has emphasised the need to strengthen EU tools to protect places of worship in the Union, including through its various advocacy efforts addressing anti-Christian hatred in the EU.
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Contacts and collaboration on the protection of places of worship have also been established by COMECE with various EU-funded consortia since 2020. Moreover, COMECE has participated in meetings of the EU Forum on the Protection of Public Spaces, which the Commission now intends to upgrade into a consultative body supporting policymaking in this area.
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The Commission will also update the EU Guidelines on public-private partnerships to protect public spaces and national best practices on public space protection measures, with a particular focus on safeguarding places of worship. COMECE stands ready to contribute. Read the EC Document
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NEWS | COMECE participates in EP conference on interreligious dialogue with EP Vice-President Sberna and Commissioner Brunner
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27 February - COMECE joined a European Parliament conference on interreligious dialogue and Europe’s shared values. The meeting featured the participation of EP Vice-President Antonella Sberna and European Commissioner Magnus Brunner, both responsible for the implementation of Article 17 TFEU for the European Parliament and the European Commission respectively. COMECE was represented by its adviser José Luis Bazán, responsible for Migration & Asylum and for Freedom of Religion outside the EU. The exchange was particularly meaningful as Lent and Ramadan are taking place at the same time this year. Read more
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NEWS | Bishop Heiner Wilmer elected president of the German Bishops' Conference (DBK)
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24 February - The bishops and staff of COMECE extend their warm congratulations to the German delegate to the COMECE Assembly, H.E. Mgr Heiner Wilmer, on his election as President of the German Bishops' Conference (DBK). We wish him every success in this new mission and assure him of our prayers.
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NEWS | ESA launches video campaign marking the European Day for a work-free Sunday
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3 March - Every year on 3 March, the European Sunday Alliance (ESA) marks the European Day for a work-free Sunday, reaffirming the importance of a weekly day of rest as a “guarantee for social cohesion in Europe”. As in previous years, ESA launched a social media video campaign. COMECE is a founding member of the European Sunday Alliance. Read the ESA Statement | Watch the video campaign | More info about ESA
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NEWS | COMECE promotes day of prayer marking the fourth tragic anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
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24 February - To mark the 4th tragic anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, COMECE and the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation encouraged individuals and communities to come together in prayer for the people of Ukraine and for peace in our continent and the world.
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This call echoed the repeated invitations of Pope Leo XIV to “support with prayer our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, sorely tried by the consequences”of the war. It was also built on the Conference on peacebuilding held in Luxembourg on 23rd January 2026, during which participants expressed their shared intention to unite in prayer for peace in Ukraine.
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STATEMENT | Justice and Peace Europe issues statement on the spiral of violence in the Middle East
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2 March - Our partner Justice and Peace Europe issued a statement on the ongoing spiral of violence in Iran and the Middle East. Through this statement, the two Co-Presidents, H.E. Mgr Antoine Hérouard and Maria Hammershoy, express their “profound concern over the ongoing spiral of violence currently afflicting the Middle East region”. They call upon the European Union and the international community to “engage in tireless and united efforts towards de-escalation”. Read the Statement
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OPPORTUNITY | New course on Vatican diplomacy – Apply by 31 March 2026
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5 February - The Pontifical Salesian University is organising a course entitled “The Vatican, the Church and the Diplomacy of the Holy See”, featuring direct interaction with professionals working in the field. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026. Info & Application
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NEWS | The European Laudato Si' Alliance launches its newsletter. Subscribe now!
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18 February - The European Laudato Si' Alliance (ELSiA) has launched its annual newsletter! Sign up to access ELSiA’s biggest wins, past events and all the achievements of this alliance of Catholic organisations in advancing Laudato Si' within EU policies. COMECE is a founding and observer member of ELSiA. Subscribe to the newsletter | Visit ELSiA's website
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