Category Archives: Justice & Fundamental Rights


Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights are the values on which the European Union is founded.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU is the fundamental text of reference for Union policies and initiatives.
COMECE closely follows policies related to justice and fundamental rights in areas such as equality and non-discrimination, data protection, family matters, rights of the child, child protection and EU citizenship.
COMECE is of the view that fundamental rights must have a clear and objective concept of human dignity as their basis, that the focus must be on the ethical implications of EU policies and legislation, and that considerations must be given to the way these latter may impact on the activities of the Church.
COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Legal Affairs Commission.
International Religious Freedom, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE contributes to interreligious dialogue on Europe’s shared values during Lent and Ramadan

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in the conference ‘Interreligious Dialogue on the Universal Values of Europe’, held at the European Parliament, Brussels, on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, by the EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue and the European Muslim Leaders Council (EULEMA). The event featured contributions, among others, from EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner (responsible for Internal … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE encourages European Commission to appoint Coordinator on Anti-Christian Hatred after Parliament Resolution

On Monday, 23 February 2026, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) warmly welcomed the recent EP Resolution urging the European Commission to appoint a Coordinator to combat anti-Christian hatred in the European Union. This strong call also reflects the high level of priority COMECE has attached to this issue in recent years. Read the Resolution Paragraph 84 of the Resolution … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

APPEAL | “Christians for Europe”: four Bishops’ Conferences issue appeal for a renewed European vision

On Friday, 13 February 2026, the presidents of four European Bishops’ Conferences released a joint appeal entitled “Christians for Europe. The Power of Hope”, calling for a renewed rediscovery of Europe’s soul and its contribution to the common good at a time marked by conflict, division and uncertainty. Read the Appeal: IT – DE – FR – PL The bishops stress that Europe must not … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE expresses concern on implications of CJEU judgment on marriage

The Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) has examined the recent judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in the case Wojewoda Mazowiecki (C-713/23). In a statement released today, Tuesday, 9 December 2025, the Presidency of COMECE recalls the Church’s “anthropological view, based on natural law, of marriage as a union between a man and … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Article 17 Dialogue | COMECE: EU budget is a “moral statement”, not just a financial instrument

The General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences in the European Union (COMECE), Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, participated in the Article 17 dialogue meeting entitled “Beyond the numbers: the contribution of Article 17 TFEU to an EU Multiannual Financial Framework grounded in ethics, solidarity and inclusion”, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday 2 December 2025. Read the COMECE contribution [EN] … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

DANISH EU PRESIDENCY | European Churches meet with Danish government

A delegation from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with Morten Dahlin, Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, in Copenhagen on Monday, 24 November 2025, in the context of Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. COMECE-CEC Joint Contribution | Photo Gallery During the meeting, the ecumenical delegation presented the central concerns … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE reiterates need to appoint EU coordinator in Europe to combat anti-Christian hatred and protect faithful

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) intervened at a meeting of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. The event was organised in cooperation with the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) and the European Christian Political Party (ECPP). Adviser Calcagno reiterated COMECE’s encouragement to the EU institutions … Continue reading »