The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
The Plenary Meeting of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) was held in Brussels from 18-19 November 2004. The Bishops discussed the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey and offer the following reflections: To decide whether Turkey can start negotiations with a view to acceding to the EU in the future, is a political and not a religious question. This political … Continue reading
The Commission of European Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) will focus on the challenges and priorities that face the European Union in a new union of 25 member states at their Autumn Plenary Meeting in Brussels on 18-19 November 2004. The Bishops will concentrate particularly on the Lisbon Strategy, consolidation of the enlarged Union, Turkey’s candidacy, and the Constitutional Treaty. They will also … Continue reading
Today’s rejection by the European Parliament of the Commission-designate headed by Jose Manuel Barroso has provoked an institutional crisis within the European Union. It remains to be seen whether the Parliament has acted responsibly and with integrity. In any case, it will have a strong impact upon the credibility of the Union. We salute the dignified way in which President-designate Barroso has handled the debate … Continue reading
Six Christian organisations will present 12 recommendations for a fair and consistent EU Migration and Asylum Policy to the Ministers of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg from 25-26 October 2004. The six organisations – Caritas Europa, the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), the Secretariat of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), the International Catholic Migration Commission, … Continue reading
Values such as freedom and solidarity, democracy, human rights and human dignity must form the basis of the European project. The churches have an important role in reminding societies and governments about these values as well as in promoting their implementation – such were the sentiments expressed by the Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Gerrit Zalm concluding the discussion on European values with the churches’ representatives … Continue reading