Archives

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

Evening debate on Preventing and countering radicalisation

It is beyond doubt that radicalisation is one of the increasing challenges for contemporary Europe; it often escalates – especially among youth — into various forms of extremism. It is represented primarily by radicalisation among Muslims and, often in response to this, by a revival of many European traditional forms of radicalism that relate to nationalism and xenophobia. The identity crisis of individuals is listed … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Palliative Care in the EU: COMECE and Hospitality Europe organise a joint luncheon debate on Assisting the elderly

As European society gets older, an increasing number of elderly people require palliative care. The COMECE Working Group on Ethics in Research and Healthcare has produced an Opinion on the subject of palliative care, which will be launched on the occasion of this luncheon debate. Set in the context of on-going discussion at EU level, both within the EU institutions and in wider society, the … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

Refugee Crisis: Bishops discuss plan of joint action for Europe

“Facing a crisis with many Faces”: this was the title given to a meeting organised by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) which brought together bishops from the Middle East, southern and western Europe, with Catholic experts from the field, to discuss migration. It was the Bishop of Eisenstadt, Mgr. Agidius Zsifkovics, in his capacity as COMECE co-ordinator on Refugees, … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

Tragic fate of Christians and other minorities recognized as Genocide

COMECE welcomes today’s European Parliament’s resolution as a significant step forward in facilitating measures to prevent the on-going incipient genocide against Christians and other minorities. Pope Francis was among the first to use the word “genocide” to describe the systematic, barbarous, lethal attacks on Christian communities and on other vulnerable groups targeted on account of their religious affiliation. On 9 July 2015 the Pope stated: … Continue reading »

Press

News

Cardinal Marx met Commission Vice Presidents Timmermans and Mogherini

The President of COMECE met today in Brussels, Frans Timmermans, first Vice President of the EU Commission, who is in charge of Fundamental rights. They discussed the dialogue between the EU and Churches based on article 17 TFUE as well as the migration crisis in the EU. Cardinal Marx also met Ms Federica Mogherini, Vice President of the Commission and High Representative of the EU … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Synthetic Biology: engineering life without risks?

The COMECE Working Group on Ethics in Research and Medicine publishes an Opinion on Synthetic Biology. Synthetic Biology involves the engineering of biological components and systems that do not exist in nature and the re-engineering of existing biological elements. Synthetic Biology could soon have multiple industrial applications in the domains of health, energy, materials, environment and agriculture. This new technology therefore raises great expectations and … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Refugees, Migrants, Integration: Proposals of the European Bishops to the EU

COMECE welcomes in principle the conclusions of the European Council on 17 December 2015 and the concrete steps they entail for the implementation of measures concerning the reception, support and relocation of refugees in the European Union. Nevertheless it is to be regretted that the Member States were not encouraged to take further steps for the integration of the asylum seekers. Ahead of the European … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Gestational surrogacy condemned outright by the European Parliament today

Today the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014 and the European Union’s Policy in its regard came before the Plenary of the European Parliament for a vote. There is much in the report which those who are committed to fundamental rights and values can only welcome: this is illustrated by the fact that the report clearly calls for the abolition … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

News

COP21: Translate the Paris agreement into concrete action with solidarity at its core

The General Secretary of COMECE, Patrick H. Daly, welcomes the responsibility and the sense of compromise which enabled 195 countries to reach an agreement which paves the way toward protection of our common home. “ The adoption of the framework convention of the UN on climate change (CCNUCC) by 195 countries in Paris on 12 December represents a great forward step for humanity as a … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Churches on the Frontline of Integration: COMECE-CEC-CCME joint press release

Today the European Commission convened a Dialogue Seminar focused on looking beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis provoked by the recent influx of migrants and refugees on European soil. COMECE, CEC, and CCME gathered experts and Church leaders from across Europe to discuss models of integration, best practices, and the fundamental values that guide integration within the European Union. Welcoming migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees became … Continue reading »