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.
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
02/12/2025
COMECE General Secretary’s Speech during Article 17 dialogue meeting on MFF 2028–2034 [EN]
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
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
24/11/2025
Joint COMECE-CEC contribution to the Danish EU Presidency [EN]
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
18/11/2025
Adviser Calcagno’s speech during the Article 17 TFEU event on “Christians discriminated in the EU” [EN]
News
Annual Article 17 TFEU EU-Churches meeting: COMECE urges stronger action to tackle religious discrimination and protect freedom of religion in the EU
COMECE participated in the Article 17 TFEU Annual High-Level Meeting between the European Commission and religious leaders on the theme “Living together in increasingly polarised societies” on Monday, 17 November 2025. During the meeting, COMECE Vice-President, Mgr Czeslaw Kozon, called for stronger institutional action, including “the appointment of an EU Coordinator on combating anti-Christian hatred and the urgent need for improved religious literacy”. Read the … Continue reading