Category Archives: Ethics, Research & Health


Scientific research and technological development make a major contribution to the integral development and the quality of life of human beings, especially, but not only, in the area of health where new therapeutic options become increasingly available. They are also an important motor of economic growth. COMECE chiefly covers the bioethical issues that arise at the EU level in the ambits of health and of research, although the main competences with regard to these matters remain largely at the Member States’ level. COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Working Group on Ethics.
Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

SoHO Regulation: COMECE releases Position Paper ahead of final trilogue negotiation

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) releases a position paper on Wednesday 25 October 2023 calling for an in-depth debate on the SoHO proposed regulation in the context of the ongoing inter-institutional negotiations between the EU Council and the Parliament. Read the Position Paper [EN – IT] The EU Bishops welcome the general necessity of the regulation on quality and … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE and Katholisches Büro express concerns over EP SoHO Regulation Draft

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Katholisches Büro in Berlin are jointly releasing a statement on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, expressing their deep concerns about the draft of the European Parliament’s position on the SoHO Regulation. This regulation will set the fundamental curse for future handling of prenatal human life in European transplantation and pharmaceutical legislation. Read the … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE on the “ethical indefensibility” of an EU fundamental right to abortion

In the context of the public debate on including a supposed right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, COMECE publishes the statement ‘The Ethical Indefensibility of an EU Fundamental Right to Abortion’ elaborated by its Commission on Ethics. Read the Statement The document argues that the respect for the inalienable dignity of every human being in every stage of life – especially … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

News

The European Sunday Alliance advocates for including fight against loneliness in the EU agenda

The European Sunday Alliance held on Wednesday 26 April 2023 a Breakfast event in the European Parliament on the topic “Work and loneliness: Quality resting time for an improved mental health of workers”. Participants discussed the need for flexibility in the labour market in a post-Covid context, while securing a synchronised weekly day of rest. The discussion highlighted that a common day of rest would decrease loneliness, improve mental … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Webnews

Swedish EU Presidency | COMECE participates in high-level meeting on loneliness held by Minister Forssmed

COMECE participated in the first high-level meeting on loneliness in the European Union. The event was held in Stockholm on 20-21 April 2023 by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. COMECE General Secretary Fr. Barrios Prieto: “Promoting community life is key to address loneliness”. Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Invitation

Conference on the ‘European Care Strategy’ and challenges faced by women during and after the pandemic

COMECE and FAFCE invite you to participate in the conference “The European Care Strategy: Responding to challenges faced by women in times of (post-)pandemic?” to be held on Wednesday 30 November 2022 from 10:00 to 11:30 (CET)  at the COMECE Secretariat in Brussels. Registration | Programme Echoing the EU institutions’ assessment on the COVID-19 pandemic impact on women, COMECE and FAFCE organise this conference to … Continue reading »

08/07/2022

Statement of the COMECE General Secretary on EP Resolution “US Supreme Court decision to overturn abortion rights in the US” [EN, FR, DE, ES]

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Publications
Link
Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE on EP resolution on abortion: “no to higher ideological barriers and polarization, we must work for more unity among Europeans”

In a statement released on Friday 8 July 2022, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), regrets the adoption of a new resolution on abortion by the European Parliament. “We must work for more unity among Europeans, not to create higher ideological barriers and polarization”. Read the Statement (EN – FR – ES – … Continue reading »