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Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

(Re)thinking Europe: Major forum of dialogue on the EU to take place in Rome

A high level dialogue between Church and political actors organised by COMECE and the Holy See in the Vatican from 27 to 29 October 2017, with the participation of Pope Francis. Hundreds of high-level Church and EU political representatives, together with other grassroots actors, will meet in the Vatican to contribute to a constructive reflection on the fundamental challenges facing the European project. Organised by … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Article 17, EU Commission appoints new Dialogue Coordinator

COMECE welcomes the appointment by the European Commission of new Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Coordinator, Vincent Depaigne, and is looking forward to strengthening the Dialogue with the EU institutions in a creative manner. Vincent Depaigne has been appointed as new Coordinator for the Dialogue with churches, religious associations or communities as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations. The renewed distinction of this position from other … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Brexit: UK is leaving the EU but not leaving Europe

COMECE welcomed a delegation from the Department of International Affairs of the Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales. The group of bishops visited COMECE headquarter in Brussels in order to learn more about its activity with the EU institutions. The delegation also met with representatives from European Union institutions. Bishops visit European Union to deepen links with the Church in Europe. Bishops from England and … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE participates to expert meeting on religion and human rights

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) seems to be willing to mark a new openness to Churches and religious communities, as a wide-ranging expert meeting was organised on the nexus between religion and human rights. The event, held in Vienna on 12-13 September 2017, highlighted the past and present, paramount contribution of Churches and religious communities in the area of fundamental rights. COMECE was … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

EU-Africa partnership, COMECE gathers religious actors and policy-makers

COMECE and Caritas Europa hosted a dialogue meeting with faith-based actors and policy-makers in preparation of the 5th EU-Africa Summit that will take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in November 2017. Stakeholders from the United Nations, African Union, European External Action Service, European Parliament, European Commission, as well as the Estonian Council Presidency and faith-based actors from the field, discussed three key policy areas: Youth, … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

NEWS

Future of Europe: COMECE and citizens promoting the common good

With (Re)thinking Europe approaching, COMECE exchanged ideas on the future of Europe and its underlying principles with an international seminar group discussing the role of religious and faith-based institutions in EU politics. Organised by the Catholic Social Academy in Austria (KSÖ), the exchange took place on the 15 September and highlighted the connection between the future of Europe and the activity of people working on … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

NEWS

EU funds: Churches are eligible actors

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is expected to adopt an opinion that might answer to some of the concerns raised up by Churches and civil society organisations on the topic of access to EU Funding. Complex administrative procedures, language barriers, short time-frames, cash-flow problems, as well as the difficulty for funding small-medium projects, are some of the issues that the non-binding EESC document … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

NEWS

COMECE debated on shrinking civic space

COMECE hosted a meeting with NGOs representatives and faith-based actors to discuss the issue of shrinking space for civil society. The participants reflected on how European policy-makers could contribute to fostering civic space. Civil society actors involved in providing basic services in various areas – such as healthcare, education, development, democracy promotion, good governance and the rule of law – shared experiences concerning shrinking space. … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Estonian EU Presidency: COMECE meets with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas

A delegation from COMECE met in Tallinn on August 18 with the Estonian Prime Minister, Jüri Ratas, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Andres Anvelt, in order to discuss common concerns as well as the most urgent priorities of the Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union. COMECE was represented by Mgr. Philippe Jourdan, Apostolic Administrator of Estonia and first Catholic Bishop to … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Cardinal Marx’s statement on terror attacks in Catalonia

President of COMECE, Cardinal Marx, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Juan José Omella, and to the relatives of the victims of the shocking terror attacks that took place yesterday in the region of Catalonia, Spain, injuring more than 100 people and killing 14 people. In his message, Cardinal Marx shared his deepest sympathy with the families of the victims, “people … Continue reading »