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.

Plenary Assembly, Press

Invitation

EU Bishops to celebrate a ‘Mass for Europe’ in Brussels on Wednesday 12 October

On the occasion of the 2022 COMECE Autumn Assembly and in the context of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Bishops of the European Union warmly invite you to participate in the ‘Mass for Europe’, to be celebrated at the Church of Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon, Place du Grand Sablon, Bruxelles, on Wednesday 12 October 2022 at 19:00 (CET). The … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

COMECE 2022 Spring Assembly | EU Bishops on the war in Ukraine: “Welcoming refugees reflects Christian and European values”

The COMECE 2022 Spring Assembly was held in Bratislava on Thursday 17 March 2022 to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. Cardinal Hollerich: “Deep respect for all countries welcoming refugees. This sincere solidarity reflects Christianand European values”. The Bishops of the European Union gathered in Bratislava in the context of the 3rd edition of the European Catholic Social Days, which will take place in the … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

EU Bishops Assembly 2021. Focus on the Conference of the Future of Europe:“It is vital to work for a Europe with a soul”

The COMECE Autumn Assembly 2021 was held in Brussels on 27-28 October 2021 with a special focus on the Catholic contribution to the Conference on the Future of Europe and the role of the youth. Cardinal Hollerich: “A Europe with a soul would be able to face challenges with much more impetus.” For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bishops … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

2021 COMECE Autumn Assembly: EU Bishops to discuss the contribution of the Catholic Church to the Conference on the Future of Europe

Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will participate in the COMECE Autumn Assembly to be held in a hybrid format on 27-28 October 2021, with the participation of Colin Scicluna, Head of cabinet of the Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, and Herman Van Rompuy, President emeritus of the European Council. The event will focus on … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

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 »

Plenary Assembly, Press

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 »

Plenary Assembly, Press

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 »

Plenary Assembly, Press

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 »

Plenary Assembly, Press

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 »

Plenary Assembly, Press

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 »