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

Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J. elected new President of COMECE

His Excellency Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg, has been elected today President of COMECE by the Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union for a 5 years mandate. In the same election, four Vice-Presidents were also elected: Mgr. Noel Treanor (Ireland), Mgr. Mariano Crociata (Italy), Mgr. Jan Vokal (Czech Republic), Franz-Josef Overbeck (Germany). Mgr. Hollerich succeeds to H. Em. Cardinal Reinhard … Continue reading »

Press Release

European Bishops to elect new President of COMECE

Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will gather in Brussels on 7-9 March 2018 in order to participate to the 2018 COMECE Spring Plenary Assembly. They will elect a new President and four Vice-Presidents. The EU Bishops will elect the new President of COMECE for a mandate of five-years covering the period 2018-2023. The future President will succeed to H. Em. Cardinal … Continue reading »

Invitation

COMECE cordially invites you to participate to the Mass for Europe

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On the occasion of the start of the new Presidency of COMECE and at the invitation of H.Em. Cardinal Jozef De Kesel (Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels) COMECE cordially invites you to participate to the Mass for Europe at the church of Notre-Dame du Sablon, Brussels, on Thursday 8 March, 2018 at 19:00. The Mass will be presided by H. Em. Cardinal Reinhard Marx (Archbishop of Munich … Continue reading »

NEWS

(Re)Thinking Europe, the follow-up is in your hands!

(Re)Thinking Europe Dialogue gathered in the Vatican City around 350 high-level Church and EU political leaders. Between 27-29 October, participants engaged each other in a frank and open dialogue, contributing to a constructive reflection on the fundamental challenges facing the European project. That phase of (Re)Thinking Europe is over but another one begins. As Pope Francis stated during the final ceremony, «Christians are called to … Continue reading »

NEWS

Pope Francis to join (Re)Thinking Europe

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, will participate to (Re)Thinking Europe on Saturday 28th October 2017, at 17:30, at the New Synod Hall in the Vatican City. The event will be live streamed. Pope Francis will join the 350 participants – all high-level Church and EU leaders, academics and representatives of the civil society – gathered in the Vatican City since Friday in order to engage … Continue reading »

NEWS

(Re)Thinking Europe Press Conference. Cardinal Marx: “looking to the future, not backward”

“Europe should not look backward to face challenges, but should have a lucid examination of the present and the future”, stated Cardinal Reinhard Marx, President of COMECE, during the press conference officially introducing (Re)Thinking Europe to the press. “The European Union has achieved great results over the past 60 years – Card. Marx stated – contributing to peace, solidarity, growth and progress in the continent”. … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE 2017 Autumn Plenary Assembly in Rome

One day ahead of (Re)Thinking Europe, while hundreds of high-level Church and EU political leaders are reaching Rome, Cardinal Reinhard Marx opened COMECE Standing Committee and COMECE Autumn Plenary Assembly. In front of tens of bishops delegates to COMECE, Cardinal Marx reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to work side by side with all those actors dedicated to put the common good and the person, with its … Continue reading »

Press Release

(Re)Thinking Europe: Cardinal Marx and Archbishop Gallagher to meet journalists

(Re)Thinking Europe. A Christian contribution to the future of the European Project, the International Conference which will gather in the Vatican, between 27-29 October, hundreds of high-level Church and EU political leaders to contribute to a constructive reflection on the fundamental challenges facing the European project. Pope Francis will address the participants on Saturday 28th October in order to recall the commitment of the Church … Continue reading »

NEWS

Pope Francis to meet with high-level EU politicians at COMECE’s (Re)thinking Europe Dialogue

(Re)Thinking Europe. A Christian contribution to the future of the European Project, the International Conference which will gather in the Vatican, between 27-29 October, hundreds of high-level Church and EU political leaders to contribute to a constructive reflection on the fundamental challenges facing the European project. Pope Francis will address the participants on Saturday 28th October in order to recall the commitment of the Church … Continue reading »

Press Release

(Re)thinking Europe: Major forum of dialogue on the EU to take place in Rome

A high level dialogue between Church and political actors organised by COMECE and the Holy See in the Vatican from 27 to 29 October 2017, with the participation of Pope Francis. Hundreds of high-level Church and EU political representatives, together with other grassroots actors, will meet in the Vatican to contribute to a constructive reflection on the fundamental challenges facing the European project. Organised by … Continue reading »