COMECE welcomes the ratification by the European Union of the climate agreement signed last year in Paris. Following the deposit of the instruments of ratification to the United Nations on Friday in New York, the climate agreement can now enter into force. This raises hopes that the international community will be able to act quickly and responsibly in the fight against climate change. Now that … Continue reading »

Ahead of the expected vote in the European Parliament in October, the Secretariat of COMECE welcomes the ratification by China and the United States of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The ratification by these two states, given their economic weight and their environmental impact, represents a significant step in the right direction. In an appeal addressed to the COP 21 negotiating parties in October … Continue reading »

The General Secretary of COMECE, Patrick H. Daly, welcomes the responsibility and the sense of compromise which enabled 195 countries to reach an agreement which paves the way toward protection of our common home. “ The adoption of the framework convention of the UN on climate change (CCNUCC) by 195 countries in Paris on 12 December represents a great forward step for humanity as a … Continue reading »

Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), COMECE presents to the negotiators, to concerned EU citizens and to all who care about the future of our planet a comprehensive report on the climate issue. The UN Conference on Climate (COP 21) opens in Paris on Sunday 29 November 2015. Aware that the EU is a major player and that Europe is key … Continue reading »

The negotiations of the UN Climate Summit COP 21, which takes place in Paris towards the end of the year, presents a great challenge to our planet and to the whole of humanity. Inspired by the appeal launched by Pope Francis, the COMECE bishops held their autumn plenary assembly in Paris as a sign of their great engagement with the climate change issue. “All Christians … Continue reading »

Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), Cardinal Marx, the President of COMECE, has signed the following appeal issued by Cardinals, Patriarchs and Bishops from across the globe representing the continental groupings of national episcopal conferences. This appeal calls on the negotiators of the COP21 in Paris to work toward the approval of a fair, binding and truly transformational climate agreement. With … Continue reading »

‘Migration is a positive and effective adaptation strategy in case of situations forcing people to leave their homelands’. The lunch debate COMECE organised on 21 October 2015 aimed at raising awareness of the potential challenges that climate induced mobility of persons represents for the international community and the appropriate answers to this phenomenon, including policy-related ones. Prof. Kjeld Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) described in his … Continue reading »

This autumn, the Plenary Assembly of the 27 Member Bishops of COMECE will exceptionally be held in Paris in the premises of the French Bishops’ Conference (Avenue de Breteuil) from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October. By meeting in Paris, ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), the COMECE Bishops wish to send a strong message and to communicate their concerns … Continue reading »

What is the impact of the Encyclical « Laudato Si » on the European Union ? How do EU Politicians interpret the key messages conveyed by Pope Francis his encyclical letter ? To find out, COMECE organised a Luncheon Debate in Brussels on 25 June, confronting a theologian with a member of the European Parliament. Father Sean McDonagh Irish Eco-theologian, missionary priest, best-selling author on … Continue reading »