The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
The armed conflict in Colombia has persisted for more than 50 years. The result is: 260.000 people killed and 8 Mio. victims, most of them civilians. Moreover, many children have been forcibly recruited as soldiers and suffered serious physical and psychological harm. The Salesians of Don Bosco are helping them to re-integrate into society. They shared this example of good practice of placing the human … Continue reading
COMECE hosted a Prayer & Breakfast organised by Justice & Peace Europe on the theme of Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of Peace “Nonviolence: a style of politics for peace”. The event was presided by Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich, the President of Justice&Peace Europe and gathered around 40 participants from the EU institutions, churches and civil society. In his reflection, Mgr. Hollerich recalled that … Continue reading
Under the chairmanship of the COMECE member Bishop for Luxembourg Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich, the joint COMECE – Justice & Peace Europe commission on the external relations of the EU exchanged with representatives of the EU on the current issues in EU External Action. The meeting agenda included a discussion on security & defence, trade defence instruments, the situation in Ukraine and in the Middle East … Continue reading
“One of the causes of the jihadi Salafism development is the lack of alternative proposals by our society” said Br Olivier Poquillon, Secretary general of COMECE, in his intervention to 5th European Catholic-Orthodox Forum. The European Catholic-Orthodox Forum is an initiative promoted by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) along with the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the accordance of the Orthodox Churches present in Europe. … Continue reading
COMECE participated in a consultation of the civil society with the EU Commission organised by The European Peacebuilding Liaison Office, a platform of NGOs on the 2017 programming of the EU financial Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace. The discussion mainly focused on preventing violent extremism, strengthening the role of civil society in the security sector and the importance of peace education. With regard to … Continue reading
COMECE received H.E. Macram Max Gassis, Bishop emeritus of the Diocese El Obeid in Sudan. The Bishop came to Brussels to draw attention to the suffering of the Nuba people. He called on the EU to contribute to a peaceful and just settlement of the ongoing conflict. In concrete terms, Mgr Gassis demanded the cessation of aerial bombings, the opening of relief corridors and that … Continue reading
COMECE participated in a Round Table at the EU Parliament on “Expectations and challenges to Iraqi National Reconciliation” organised by the Community of Sant’Egidio. Mgr Louis Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldean, asked the EU to support creation of reconciliation mechanisms and to prepare the post DAESH reconstruction through a roadmap involving all relevant actors.
During their Plenary Assembly, the COMECE Bishops had an exchange on the outcome and consequences of the referendum in the United Kingdom. Bishop William Kenney, delegate of the England and Wales Bishops’ Conference, explained that since the outcome of the Brexit referendum ‘there is very little clarity as to what is going to happen or what consequences will ensue.’ He said he believes the Church … Continue reading
This years’ International Workshop and General Assembly of Justice & Peace Europe held under the chairmanship of its President Mgr Jean-Claude Hollerich in Luxembourg explored the challenges of security facing Europe today in dialogue with representatives of politics, the military, EU institutions, civil society and the Church, including the General Secretary of COMECE. In their final declaration, the participants called to “build bridges of justice … Continue reading
COMECE received Patriarch Gregorios III, the head of the Melkite Greek Catholic church, as well as Metropolitan George Abou Zakhem of Homs and Bishop Selvanos Boutros Al Nemeh of Homs of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate. The Bishop’s delegation came to Brussels to draw attention of EU high-ranking officials on Children’s situation in Syria.