Archives

NEWS

European Labour “Authority”, a new agency to strengthen the rights of workers

COMECE welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to propose a European Labour “Authority” to strengthen the rights of almost 17 million European citizens working in another EU country. COMECE encourages the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to swiftly review the proposal allowing the institution to start working before the 2019 European elections. A European Labour “Authority” could play an important role. … Continue reading »

Press Release

Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J. elected new President of COMECE

His Excellency Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg, has been elected today President of COMECE by the Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union for a 5 years mandate. In the same election, four Vice-Presidents were also elected: Mgr. Noel Treanor (Ireland), Mgr. Mariano Crociata (Italy), Mgr. Jan Vokal (Czech Republic), Franz-Josef Overbeck (Germany). Mgr. Hollerich succeeds to H. Em. Cardinal Reinhard … Continue reading »

Press Release

European Bishops to elect new President of COMECE

Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will gather in Brussels on 7-9 March 2018 in order to participate to the 2018 COMECE Spring Plenary Assembly. They will elect a new President and four Vice-Presidents. The EU Bishops will elect the new President of COMECE for a mandate of five-years covering the period 2018-2023. The future President will succeed to H. Em. Cardinal … Continue reading »

Invitation

COMECE cordially invites you to participate to the Mass for Europe

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On the occasion of the start of the new Presidency of COMECE and at the invitation of H.Em. Cardinal Jozef De Kesel (Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels) COMECE cordially invites you to participate to the Mass for Europe at the church of Notre-Dame du Sablon, Brussels, on Thursday 8 March, 2018 at 19:00. The Mass will be presided by H. Em. Cardinal Reinhard Marx (Archbishop of Munich … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE holds meeting at the Parliament on the role of common free time for social, religious and civic engagement

COMECE, together with its partners of the European Sunday Alliance, organised at the European Parliament a panel debate on the role of common free time for social, religious and civic engagement and volunteering. The event, hosted by MEPs Evelyn Regner and Thomas Mann, highlighted the challenge of reconciling social commitment with increasingly flexibilised working schedules. Participants exchanged ideas, experiences and statistics, shaping a dialogue on … Continue reading »

NEWS

President of Burundese Bishops’ Conference visits COMECE

Mgr. Joachim Ntahondereye, Bishop of Muyinga (Burundi) and President of the Burundese Bishops’ Conference, visited COMECE in order to draw the attention of the European institutions to the political, social and economic challenges his country is currently facing. During his meeting with COMECE General Secretary, Mgr. Ntahondereye expressed his concern for the situation of young people in Burundi. According to the Bishop, the European Union … Continue reading »

NEWS

Agriculture between technological innovation and global responsibility

In the context of the 11th Forum for future development of Rural Areas, COMECE organised in Berlin a high-level panel of experts to find out how the Catholic Church can support and accompany farmers in times of fundamental changes of their work and their living conditions. Farmers and rural areas are under pressure due to high expectations. They are called to produce safe and high … Continue reading »

Press Release

Former COMECE Vice-President Mgr. Yanes dies in Zaragoza

Archbishop Emeritus of Zaragoza, Mgr. Elías Yanes Álvarez, died on Friday 9th of March 2018 at the age of 90. Mgr. Yanes Álvarez saw the foundation of COMECE in 1980 and from then on he served as delegate of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference until 2005. In 1993 he was elected Vice-President of COMECE and re-elected for a second mandate until 1999. The funeral took place … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE organises an event on Digitalisation and Civic Engagement

Volunteering and social/civic engagement are fundaments of democratic societies. They strengthen social cohesion but deeply depend on the free time at disposal of the citizens. If the free time that could be invested for such important social activities will be scarcer, will Hashtag activism replace the ‘traditional’ ways of social and civic commitment? Will digitalisation undermine or facilitate civic engagement? And if the lack of … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE President expresses deep concern about criminalisation of circumcision

COMECE President Cardinal Reinhard Marx reacts to the ban on the circumcision on boys proposed in Iceland by members of the Parliament from five different political parties. “The proposed bill is a dangerous attack on freedom of religion”, states the Cardinal, urging the EU institutions to take action in order to prevent such a threat to fundamental rights. The bill suggests up to a six-year … Continue reading »