Category Archives: International Religious Freedom


COMECE supports an ambitious and coherent human rights’ policy based on the transcendent dignity of every human being.
While embracing the vision that the fundamental and inalienable right to religious freedom is the cornerstone of all human rights, it supports the view that EU decision-makers and officers should pay special attention to this fundamental right, in particular in its external relations.
To promote religious freedom and more generally, peace, justice and liberty, COMECE is also involved in ecumenical, intercultural and interreligious dialogues.
EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Webinar: Religious and political implications of Pope Francis’ historic journey to Iraq

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) are pleased to invite you to join a webinar on the political and religious implications of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Iraq. The webinar, under the theme “You are all brothers” will take place on Monday 15 March 2021, from 18:00 to 19:30 (CET). Pope Francis’ historic visit to Iraq was … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE regrets decision over Hagia Sophia, “a blow to interreligious dialogue”

“Converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque distances Turkey from Europe and it is a blow to the Orthodox Church and to interreligious dialogue”, stated Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, on Friday 10 July 2020 commenting the decision of Turkey’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, to allow the change in status of World Heritage Monument Hagia Sophia from a museum to … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

The President of COMECE expresses solidarity to the Christian communities in Nigeria

In a recent letter sent to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, expressed his solidarity to the Christian communities in the African country, who are “living a situation of continuous attacks by terrorists, insurgents and militias, that in some cases reaches levels of genuine criminal persecution”. In the letter to the Nigerian Bishops, Cardinal Hollerich assured that … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

The President of COMECE expresses solidarity to the Christian communities in Nigeria

In a recent letter sent to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, expressed his solidarity to the Christian communities in the African country, who are “living a situation of continuous attacks by terrorists, insurgents and militias, that in some cases reaches levels of genuine criminal persecution”. In the letter to the Nigerian Bishops, Cardinal Hollerich assured that … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE calls the international community to stop the persecution of Christians in Nigeria

In the context of the growing persecution against Christian communities in Nigeria, COMECE calls the EU, its Member States, as well as the entire international community, to increase their efforts to stop the violence in the African country, bring the criminals to justice, support the victims and promote dialogue and peace. According to recent statistics, some 6,000 Nigerian Christians have been killed since 2015 by, … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE calls the EU to ensure stability in Burkina Faso

According to recent statistics, since the beginning of 2019, a total of 238 armed attacks have been reported in Burkina Faso, transforming the African country in the epicenter of the Sahel’s security crisis. COMECE calls the EU to support the country’s authorities, as well as Churches and religious communities, to prevent clashes and conflicts and enhance mutual respect. About one-third of the country is engulfed … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Press

Invitation

COMECE invites you to participate in a public conference on Trafficking in Human Beings

Five years after the joint Declaration of religious leaders against modern slavery, COMECE and Don Bosco International organise a public event on how to counter Trafficking in Human Beings, with the participation of MEP Pietro Bartolo (S&D). The conference will take place at the European Parliament (Room ASP-A5E3), Brussels, on Monday 2 December 2019 from 15h00 to 17h00. The event will be hosted by MEP … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Press

Press Release

COMECE accompanies Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad to the EU

COMECE accompanied His Beatitude Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako I, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, in his 2-day visit to Europe addressing EU representatives and policy makers on the reconstruction of Iraq and the challenge of reconciliation among Iraqis. Although major military operations concluded in late 2017, the humanitarian crisis in Iraq is far from being over. According to recent statistics, 8.7 million people – … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Press

NEWS

COMECE calls the EU to promote long term resilience in Syria

COMECE urges the EU to support Syrian people to overcome their immediate humanitarian needs and to promote their long term resilience. The call came on Wednesday 3 April 2019 during the conference “The next day in Syria: a path towards the resilience of Syrian people” co-organised at the European Parliament by COMECE and its ecumenical and political partners. After six years of war, people in … Continue reading »