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

Cardinal Bassetti’s first official visit to the EU: a sign of courage and hope

“I dream of a new Europe based on solidarity and courage, capable of being a common home for everyone”, stated H. Em. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti during his first official visit to the EU institutions as President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) on 22-25 April. As a sign of the great interest of the Italian Church for the European project, Cardinal Bassetti, together with Mgr. … Continue reading »

Press Release

President of COMECE Hollerich meets EU Commission President Juncker

COMECE President, Archbishop of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., met yesterday, 18 April 2018, with Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EU Commission. During their first official meeting since the election of Mgr. Hollerich in March 2018, the two leaders exchanged on current European challenges and explored ways to strengthen the dialogue between the Church and the EU in order to put back the human person at … Continue reading »

Press Release

President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference Cardinal Bassetti’s official visit to the EU

A delegation led by H. Em. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), will come to Brussels on 22-25 April 2018 in order to exchange with high-level officials on the realities of the EU from the perspective of the Italian Church. Cardinal Bassetti’s visit shows the European dimension of the Italian Church, strongly committed to face current challenges and work for the … Continue reading »

NEWS

Criminalisation of circumcision: putting the fundamental rights’ system at risk!

“Criminalising male circumcision might endanger the whole system of fundamental rights, as well as the Rule of Law”, stated COMECE General Secretary fr. Olivier Poquillon op during the conference on “Religious rituals and fundamental rights” held last Tuesday 10th of April 2018 at the European Parliament. The event is a reaction to the legislative initiatives proposed in Iceland and Denmark in order to criminalise circumcision … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE takes a stand on “Fake News”

In continuity with Pope Francis’ recent condemnation of fake news as a tool to isolate, divide, and oppose people, and ultimately to hinder dialogue, COMECE participated to the Public consultation on fake news and online disinformation carried out by the European Commission with the aim of developing an effective strategy tackling the phenomenon. “Spreading fake news – the Pope said during the World Communications Day … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE Legal Affairs Commission: update on data protection and non-discrimination

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission – an instrument of exchange among national Church experts and dialogue with the EU institutions – gathered on March 20th 2018 under the Presidency of Mgr. Hoogenboom to debate on number of topics relevant to the status of Churches in the Member States (Article 17(1) TFEU). In this context, participants also exchanged on case law – at the EU Court … Continue reading »

Invitation

EP Conference on “Religious rituals and fundamental rights”

Following the latest developments concerning circumcision and kosher meat processing across Europe, COMECE, together with the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) and other partners, co-organises the Conference on “Religious Rituals and Fundamental Rights”. The event will take place in the European Parliament (Room A5H-1) on April 10th, 2018, from 16h00 to 18h00, and will be hosted by the EPP Group Interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Speakers … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE President expresses deep concern about criminalisation of circumcision

COMECE President Cardinal Reinhard Marx reacts to the ban on the circumcision on boys proposed in Iceland by members of the Parliament from five different political parties. “The proposed bill is a dangerous attack on freedom of religion”, states the Cardinal, urging the EU institutions to take action in order to prevent such a threat to fundamental rights. The bill suggests up to a six-year … Continue reading »

NEWS

Pope Francis calls on tackling fake news

Pope Francis released a message condemning “fake news”, saying that it’s a “sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes, and leads only to the spread of arrogance and hatred”. In his message for the World Communications Day, the Holy Father highlighted the importance of Communication as “part of God’s plan for us and an essential way to experience fellowship”. He warned all media operators about the … Continue reading »

NEWS

EU-Religious leaders. COMECE: “Christians working for the common good”

“We are not an interest group speaking in favor of religions, we are European citizens committed to the construction of Europe”, said Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich during a high-level meeting between the EU institutions and religious leaders from across Europe. European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, together with European Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness, hosted the 13th Annual High-Level meeting between the EU institutions and leaders from … Continue reading »