Category Archives: Plenary Assembly

The Assembly of COMECE is formed by the Bishops delegated by the Episcopates of each Member State of the European Union. Its main function is to take the decisions necessary to pursue, in a spirit of collegiality, a closer collaboration among the Bishops’ Conferences, to address the pastoral questions connected to the development of the competences and activities of the Union.

2018 Autumn COMECE Plenary Assembly. (Credit: EEAS)

The Assembly also provides an effective platform for exchange and concertation among the EU Bishops’ Conferences, engages in a dialogue with high-level EU representatives on current and future EU policies, and sets out the main lines of the activity of the COMECE Secretariat.

A single Bishop represents the Episcopates of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Republic of Finland. The Assembly also includes observers from the Episcopates of Serbia, Switzerland, Scotland, England and Wales.

The Apostolic Nunciature to the European Union, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe, and a representative of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) and of Justice and Peace Europe are invited to take part in the Assembly.

The Assembly elects COMECE’s President and four Vice-Presidents from among its members ensuring that they are representative of the geographical distribution of the Episcopates of the European Union. The Assembly also elects the Presidents of the COMECE Commissions on Social Affairs, Legal Affairs and External Action.

The Assembly gathers twice per year (during the Spring and Autumn). A seminal issue of the European integration process provides the core theme for each meeting.

Invitation

Mass for Europe in memory of former Nuncio to the EU, Mgr. Lebeaupin

On the occasion of the 2021 COMECE Autumn Assembly, the Bishops of the European Union warmly invite you to participate in the Mass for Europe, to be celebrated in memory of H.E. Mgr. Alain Paul Lebeaupin, former Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. The Mass will be celebrated in the Church of Notre-Dame des Victoires, Place du Grand Sablon, Bruxelles, on Wednesday 27 October 2021 … Continue reading »

Press Release

2021 Spring COMECE Assembly. Catholic Church and EU Commission: “facing this historic period together”

Participating in the Spring Assembly of EU Bishops held online on 17-18 March 2021, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas acknowledged the Church’s commitment to the promotion of the European project, and conveyed willingness to move the EU-Churches Article 17 TFEU dialoguetowards policy-based exchanges. Bishops of EU Episcopates held their second online assembly since the beginning of the current pandemic in March 2020. In dialogue … Continue reading »

Press Release

EU Bishops to meet with European Commission’s Vice President Margaritis Schinas

Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will participate in the COMECE Spring Assembly to be held in a digital format on 17-18 March 2021 with the participation of European Commission’s Vice President Margaritis Schinas. The focus of the Assembly will be: Covid-19 recovery, Migration and Asylum policies, Freedom of Religion inside the EU. In the context of the first anniversary of the … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE Autumn Assembly 2020 – Cardinal Parolin on the Covid-19 recovery: “the Church in the frontline for a fairer and more solidary Europe”

“The Church will be in the frontline during the long and difficult process of recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic”, stated Cardinal Parolin addressing the Bishops of the European Union at the COMECE Autumn Assembly held on 28-29 October 2020. Cardinal Hollerich on the EU: “a unifying presence of coordination and support for the Member States, but work must continue”. In the context … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE Assembly to gather with Cardinal Parolin in light of Pope’s recent message on Europe

“I dream of a Europe that is a family and a community, a Europe that is a friend to each and all, a Europe that is inclusive and generous. Europe, find yourself! Be yourself!”, writes Pope Francis on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of COMECE and on the eve of the Assembly of EU Bishops which is starting today. On the occasion of the … Continue reading »

Press Release

Mass for Europe cancelled due to new Covid-19 measures in Brussels

In consideration of the sanitary measures recently adopted by the authorities of the Brussels Region to prevent the further spread of Covid-19, we regret to inform you that the Mass for Europe is cancelled. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) cancels the Mass for Europe scheduled for Wednesday 28 October 2020 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary since its … Continue reading »

Invitation

40 years of COMECE – COMECE invites you to participate in the Mass for Europe

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of COMECE, we warmly invite you to participate in the Mass for Europe, to be celebrated at the Église Saint-Dominique, Brussels, on Wednesday 28 October 2020 at 19h00. The Mass will be presided by H. Em. Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Francis. Cardinal Parolin will be in Brussels to participate in the 2020 … Continue reading »

Press Release

Covid-19 outbreak: COMECE cancels its Assembly and postpones its 40th anniversary celebration

In line with the “social distancing” precautious measures recommended by the health authorities to limit the spread of the “Covid-19″virus, COMECE cancels its Spring Assembly and postpones to October 2020 the reception for the celebration of its 40th anniversary. The two events were expected to take place in Brussels on 25-27 March 2020, with the participation of H.Em. Card. Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE unveils a new logo in celebration of its upcoming 40th anniversary

COMECE unveils the redesigning of its logo in view of its 40th anniversary. Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, COMECE General Secretary: “fresh and modern, our new logo looks towards present and future challenges for the Church and the European Union”. With a flat two-dimensional design, clean lines and essential elements, the new version of the COMECE logo is part of a series of redesigns taking place … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE Assembly “Autumn 2019” to focus on EU ecological policies centered on persons, families and communities

Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will gather in Brussels on 23-25 October 2019 to participate in the Autumn 2019 COMECE Assembly, with the participation of H. Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., President of COMECE. In the context of the renewed European institutions, EU Bishops will engage with EU officials reflecting on post-EU elections challenges, both from the institutional and policy levels. … Continue reading »