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

Press Release

EVENT | Second FCAPP European conference “Supporting the European idea in challenging times: Catholic Social Teaching and European integration today”

What does the future hold for Europe at a time of profound political, economic, social and technological change? And what contribution can Catholic Social Teaching make to the process of European integration? These are the central questions to be addressed at the Second European Conference organised by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation (FCAPP), in collaboration with the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

The future of the Churches in Europe: Mariano Crociata’s contribution to the new Il Regno annual volume

The 2026 annual volume of Il Regno, entitled Chiesa in Italia, brings together contributions from the sixth edition of the Percorsi di cultura politica, held in Camaldoli (Italy) from 6 to 9 November 2025 in collaboration with the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Italian journal.  Mgr Crociata’s Article | More info The volume Cristianesimo, … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

🔴 COMECE expresses strong concerns over the EU Court Advocate General’s Opinion on erasure from baptismal registers

On Monday, 5 October 2026, the Secretariat of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) expressed concern about the initial indications emerging from the Court of Justice of the European Union case C-12/25, Bisdom Gent, concerning the erasure of personal data from baptismal registers, following the Opinion delivered on 1 October. The non-binding Opinion of the EU Court’s Advocate General considers … Continue reading »

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

Press Release

COMECE Presidency in Metz for Pope Leo XIV’s address on Europe’s roots and future

The COMECE Presidency, led by its President, H.E. Mgr Mariano Crociata, was in Metz on Monday, 28 September 2026, on the occasion of Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to France. Video | Pope’s speech | Card. Aveline’s speech In this historic city at the heart of Europe, in a region marked by suffering and reconciliation and closely associated with Robert Schuman, one of the founding … Continue reading »