The Presidency of COMECE (2023-2028). Photo: Cristian Gennari/Siciliani/COMECE
In a statement released on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, the Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (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 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 Statement: EN | IT | DE | ES | FR |
According to COMECE, last week’s decision of the European Commission not to submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council for a legal act establishing a new funding programme for cross-border abortion services“clearly recognises the need to respect the limits of EU competences and to uphold the principle of subsidiarity”.
Despite welcoming the Commission’s decision, the Presidency of COMECE expresses serious concern over the possibility, envisaged in the position expressed by the European Commission, of mobilising the existing European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), through amendments to national or regional programmes, to provide cross-border “access to legally available, safe and affordable abortion services”.
According to the Presidency of COMECE, this possibility is to be rejected, as it would redirect away the ESF+ financial resources from their original purpose to promote social inclusion, support employment and prevent families from falling into poverty. It risk “creating political friction rather than strengthening cohesion”, reads the statement.
“Such an approach does not represent genuine support for women in vulnerable situations,” reads the statement. According to COMECE, vulnerable women should be offered with “effective social, economic, and healthcare assistance enabling them to carry their pregnancy to term without suffering negative social or economic consequences for themselves or for their child.”
In this context, the Presidency of COMECE encouraged the European Union and its Member States to promote “policies that strengthen maternity protection, family support, and social inclusion [considered] as those that truly promote women’s dignity and foster cohesion across the Union”.
This statement follows the one released in December 2025, ahead of the European Parliament vote on the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘My Voice, My Choice’, when COMECE explained the reasons for its objection to such a financial instrument for cross-border abortion.
The COMECE Presidency is composed of:
- Mgr Mariano Crociata (Italy), President
- Mgr Antoine Hérouard (France), First Vice-President
- Mgr Czesław Kozon (Nordic countries), Vice-President
- Mgr Rimantas Norvila (Lithuania), Vice-President
- Mgr Nuno Brás da Silva Martins (Portugal), Vice-President
Read the Statement: EN | IT | DE | ES | FR |
Statement 20260304 | COMECE Presidency on EC decision on 'My Voice, My Choice' [DE]- Statement 20260304 | COMECE Presidency on EC decision on 'My Voice, My Choice' [EN]
- Statement 20260304 | COMECE Presidency on EC decision on 'My Voice, My Choice' [FR]
- Statement 20260304 | COMECE Presidency on EC decision on 'My Voice, My Choice' [IT]
- Statement 20260304 | COMECE Presidency on EC decision on 'My Voice, My Choice' [ES]