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

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 »

08/06/2022

Declaration of COMECE General Secretary on the EP discussion on “Global threats to abortion rights: the possible overturn of abortion rights in the US by the Supreme Court”

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

Press Release

Declaration of the General Secretary of COMECE on the EP discussion on “Global threats to abortion rights”

In view of the discussion scheduled for today, Wednesday 8 June 2022, in the European Parliament under the title “Global threats to abortion rights: the possible overturn of abortion rights in the US by the Supreme Court”, the Secretary General of COMECE, Fr Manuel Barrios Prieto, has made the following declaration: We see with surprise that the European Parliament will discuss the impact of a … Continue reading »

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

Press Release

European Catholic Social Days on technological & ecological transitions

The second day of the European Catholic Social Days, Saturday 19 March 2022, was devoted to the theme of digital and ecological transition processes. “Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in “lifestyles, models of production and consumption”. H.E. Mgr. Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, delivered the first keynote speech of the day, addressing participants on new … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

EU Bishops reply to President Macron: “there is no recognized right to abortion in European or international law”

In a statement released on Tuesday 8 February 2022, the Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) expresses its deep concern on President Macron’s proposal of including a supposed right to abortion in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Read the full statement Aware of the tragedy and complexity of the situations in which mothers considering … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

European Churches urge people to get vaccinated against COVID-19

Joint appeal from the presidents of COMECE and CEC

Urging responsibility and care amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and encouraging vaccination together with necessary sanitary measures, H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), and Rev. Christian Krieger, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), have issued the following joint appeal. In this time of Advent, let us manifest Christ’s love by demonstrating … Continue reading »