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 »

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.

Regarding the recent debate around the pursuit of the TTIP negotiations, Cardinal Marx, the President of COMECE, said that “stopping the TTIP negotiations would not solve the current problems. A just global economic order requires common rules. The TTIP could be a way to achieve this goal”. COMECE reminds of the common position adopted last June by the Bishops of the EU and the US. … Continue reading »