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.

News

New DBK bishop delegate to COMECE visits Brussels for high-level dialogue meetings on peace, democracy, sustainability and AI

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) warmly welcomed Bishop Heiner Wilmer SCJ as the new delegate of the German Bishops’ Conference to the COMECE Assembly. On 2–3 July 2025, Bishop Wilmer visited Brussels for a dialogue mission during which COMECE facilitated a series of meetings with representatives of European institutions and Catholic organisations. Video interview with Mgr. Wilmer Appointed in … Continue reading »

Press Release

DOCUMENT | COMECE contributes to the future EC initiative ‘European Democracy Shield’

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) publishes today, Friday, 20 June 2025, its recent contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on the ‘European Democracy Shield’. Download the COMECE contribution Democracies in the EU are facing significant challenges. The European Commission has recorded a rise in threats from both internal and foreign actors, taking various forms including foreign information manipulation … Continue reading »

Press Release

🇵🇱🇪🇺 Polish EU Presidency | European Churches meet with Minister for EU Affairs Adam Szłapka

A delegation from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with H.E. Mr Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for European Union Affairs, in Warsaw. The meeting took place on Monday, 7 April 2025, in the context of Poland’s ongoing Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Download COMECE-CEC Joint Contribution | Photo Gallery … Continue reading »

News

French bishops’ conference delegation visits COMECE

A delegation from the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF) visited the Secretariat of COMECE on Monday, 10 March 2025, to meet its advisers and receive an update on recent actions taken by COMECE as part of its mission of dialogue with the institutions of the European Union. Photos of the meeting The visit to the Secretariat provided a valuable opportunity to exchange information on key EU … Continue reading »

News

Christian leaders and MEPs unite for Christmas Prayer Breakfast at the European Parliament

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in the Christmas Prayer Breakfast held at the European Parliament, Strasbourg, on Tuesday, 17 December 2024. COMECE General Secretary, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, together with leaders of other Christian Churches, celebrated an ecumenical prayer, praying for peace in the world and for persecuted Christians. Read Prayer | Photos The Prayer Breakfast was organised … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE at the European Parliament: “Time is mature for the appointment of an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred”

In the context of the 27th edition of the European Prayer Breakfast held at the European Parliament, in Brussels, on Wednesday, 4 December 2024, COMECE contributed to the conference on “Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Europe – Current challenges and future prospects”. COMECE: “The time is mature for the appointment of an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred in Europe”. Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE adviser for fundamental … Continue reading »