Category Archives: Ecology & Sustainability


In the Treaties the European Union professes the principles of sustainability, the protection of the environment and the fight against the causes and effects of climate change. Regularly these ambitions are in conflict with other aims of the EU like economic growth, agriculture and industrial policy.
Since 2008 COMECE has been engaged with the topic of climate change and regularly stressed the necessity of an ecological conversion and a different and more sober style of life. In his encyclical «Laudato si» Pope Francis has flagged up this idea with his concept of an «integrate ecology» that underscores the link between the protection of the environment and climate, the fight against poverty, social justice, economy and politics.
Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE commits to divest from fossil fuels

In the context of the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ 2015 Encyclical Laudato Si, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), together with other faith-based institutions, commits to divest from fossil fuels, following the Vatican’s guidelines on ethical investment. COMECE: “We encourage others to join us and support the European Green Deal as a way of implementing the Paris climate agreement”. … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE calls for a people-centred, sustainable and multilateral EU Arctic policy

COMECE contributed to the EU public consultation  on the future EU Arctic policy, highlighting the EU’s responsibility to ensure a sustainable and peaceful  Arctic  that puts its  people at the cemtre. The contribution was jointly elaborated with Justice & Peace Europe in dialogue with regional Church actors. In the context of the current developments impacting the Artic region, the European Union is reviewing its 2016 policy … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

News

Job opportunity: The European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSi’A) is looking for a Project Coordinator

The European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSi’A) is looking for a Project Coordinator who will coordinate its network on behalf of all its member organisations. The position is a full time/5 day per week, one-year contract, with the possibility of extension. The job is based in Brussels. Download the Job Offer or read the offer on Linkedin. The European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSi’A) is a joint … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Third Laudato Si’ Reflection Day: “Laudato Si’ for a just recovery”

Five years after the publication of Pope Francis’ Encyclical letter on the “care for our common home”, representatives of European Bishops’ Conferences, as well as Catholic organisations and movements, held in Brussels the Third European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day on Thursday 28 May 2020. Leading economist Mariana Mazzucato, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development of the Vatican Monsignor Bruno-Marie Duffé and … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Join the 3rd European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day!

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, COMECE and its partners invite you to participate in the third European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day on Thursday 28th May 2020, from 15h00 to 17h00. The event will be held as a webinar due to the current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2. The theme of this year’s event is “How the Encyclical Laudato … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Press

NEWS

COMECE supports the process launched with the European Green Deal

COMECE welcomes the ‘European Green Deal’ as presented yesterday Wednesday 11 December 2019, at the European Parliament by EU Commission’s President Ms. Ursula von der Leyen. “It is very important that Europe takes the lead in the care for our environment” – stated COMECE General Secretary, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto. “It is also desirable – continued Fr. Barrios Prieto – that the EU institutions go … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Press

NEWS

World Church leaders call upon COP25 for urgent climate action

Following the recent Synod of the Bishops on Amazonia, the President of COMECE, H. Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, together with other Catholic Church leaders from across all continents, issued a call upon policymakers participating in COP25 for immediate actions to be taken to tackle and overcome climate change. Church leaders from every continent express their deep concern about the poor state of commitment and … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Press

Press Release

EU Bishops call for a fair and inclusive transition towards integral ecology

COMECE Autumn 2019 Assembly

On 23-25 October 2019 delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union gathered in Brussels for the COMECE Autumn 2019 Assembly. The meeting was dedicated to post-EU elections challenges and, in particular, to ecological policies centered on persons, families and communities. In the context of the renewed European institutions, Bishops discussed priorities of the incoming European Commission in dialogue with an EU representative. In … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Press

NEWS

Laudato Si‘: good practices of a spiritual and ecological conversion

In Spring 2019 COMECE and its partners organised the Second European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day to sharpen the view on what is necessary and possible to do in order to facilitate the ecological conversion described in Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si’”. The required conversion is key to maintain «our common home, the Earth», and goes beyond the «spiritual change», also including a change of … Continue reading »