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.
International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Syriac-Catholic Patriarch visits COMECE

A high-level delegation of bishops from the Middle East visited COMECE and met with Christian organisations to talk about the condition of Christian minorities in Syria and Iraq. His Beatitude Ignatius Joseph III Younan, Syriac-Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, together with Mgr. Antoine Chahda, Archbishop of Aleppo, highlighted the dramatic situation of Syrian and Iraqi people, shattered since many years with widespread violence. The two bishops … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

National Council of Churches of Kenya visits COMECE

COMECE received a delegation from the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) led by its General Secretary Rev. Canon Peter Karanja. The delegation came to Brussels to draw attention to the fragile political situation in Kenya ahead of the upcoming national elections In cooperation with the Catholic Church in Kenya, NCCK is closely monitoring the political processes during and after the elections slated for … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

“EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. What’s next?”

COMECE and the EPP Group organise a Conference in the European Parliament titled “EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. What’s next?” The main objective of the event is to provide a platform to discuss religious and intercultural aspects of different EU policy areas. In June 2013, the Council adopted the “EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief” … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

African Bishops´ Conference visits COMECE

Africa and Europe are bound together by history, geography and a common destiny. They also share a community of values on which the Bishops from Africa and Europe wish to build. To mark this close relationship, COMECE received a delegation from the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) led by its President, H.E. Gabriel Mbilingi, Archbishop of Lubango (Angola). The Vice-President of … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Sudan: Visit of Bishop Gassis to the EU

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 »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE advocates rights of Christians in the Middle East at UN meeting

In the Middle East, many women and men belonging to religious minorities, in particular Christians, are expelled from their homeland and become asylum seekers or are internally displaced. They have a right to return to their homes. This was the main message delivered by COMECE at the United Nations Global Summit on “Religion, Peace and Security” in Geneva on 23 – 25 November. COMECE Legal … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Reconciliation in Iraq?

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.

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Persecuted Christians: what legal and political actions to curb the phenomenon?

COMECE participated in the 2nd European Congress for the Protection of Persecuted Christians in Krakow. The objective of this conference was to pinpoint the directions of legal and political action which should be taken to curb this cruel phenomenon. The Event under the Patronage of the President of Poland was organised by MEP Ryszard Legutko in cooperation with, among others, Aid to the Church in … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

Evening debate on Preventing and countering radicalisation

It is beyond doubt that radicalisation is one of the increasing challenges for contemporary Europe; it often escalates – especially among youth — into various forms of extremism. It is represented primarily by radicalisation among Muslims and, often in response to this, by a revival of many European traditional forms of radicalism that relate to nationalism and xenophobia. The identity crisis of individuals is listed … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

Tragic fate of Christians and other minorities recognized as Genocide

COMECE welcomes today’s European Parliament’s resolution as a significant step forward in facilitating measures to prevent the on-going incipient genocide against Christians and other minorities. Pope Francis was among the first to use the word “genocide” to describe the systematic, barbarous, lethal attacks on Christian communities and on other vulnerable groups targeted on account of their religious affiliation. On 9 July 2015 the Pope stated: … Continue reading »