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.

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 »

Invitation

COMECE invites you to participate in the Mass for Europe

On the occasion of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and in the context of the renewed European institutions, COMECE warmly invites you to participate in the Mass for Europe, to be celebrated at the Church of Notre-Dame du Sablon on Wednesday 23 October 2019 at 19h30. The Mass will be presided by H. Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ – Archbishop … Continue reading »

Press Release

EC President Juncker in dialogue with EU Bishops

2019 COMECE Spring Assembly

On the occasion of the 2019 COMECE Spring Assembly, EU Bishops received today, Thursday 14 March, Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. Together they urged all citizens to engage into the European political debate and vote with responsibility to protect and promote the common good. The dialogue with the President of the European Commission was an opportunity for Bishops to exchange on the main … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE Spring Plenary Assembly: European Bishops to meet ahead of the 2019 EU elections

Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will gather in Brussels on 13-15 March to participate in the 2019 COMECE Spring Plenary Assembly, with the announced participation of Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. From 23-26 May 2019, all EU citizens across the continent will have to elect the new members of the European Parliament. The results will condition the political decisions … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE Assembly “Autumn 2018”. 2019 Elections: EU Bishops call their fellow citizens to discernment and responsibility

On 24-26 October 2018 Bishops of the European Union gathered in Brussels for the Autumn Assembly focusing on the 2019 European elections. Participants reflected on future EU challenges in dialogue with high-level officials of the Union, in particular with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Luca Jahier (EESC) and Michel Barnier (European Commission). The three-days Assembly started with … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE Assembly “Autumn 2018”. Commemorating WWI, EU Bishops pray for Peace in Ypres

European Bishops commemorated all victims of the First World War in a major event held today, 24 October 2018, in the city of Ypres (Belgium) in the context of the COMECE Assembly “Autumn 2018” dedicated to the upcoming European elections. On the occasion of the centenary of the end of World War I, COMECE bishops urged all persons of good will to work together in … Continue reading »