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.
Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE and CEC hold prayer for peace and Christian unity at European Parliament

To mark Pentecost, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) together with the Conference of European Churches (CEC) held on Tuesday 6 June 2023 a Prayer for Peace and Christian Unity at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event was hosted by MEP Jan Olbrycht. Prayers and special messages were shared by COMECE President H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata and CEC President Rev. … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Delegation of European Churches meets with Swedish EU Presidency 

An ecumenical delegation representing the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with Swedish Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, Jakob Forssmed, on Tuesday, 30 May 2023, to discuss the implementation of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Read COMECE-CEC Contribution During the meeting held in Stockholm, the ecumenical delegation expressed … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Speech

Mgr. Crociata’s keynote speech on Christian values and politics at EPP Workshop in Vienna

The President of COMECE, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, participated in the Workshop “Christian democracy as the EPP’s Heritage and Future”, held in Vienna on 27-28 April 2023 by the European People’s Party (EPP). Read his keynote speech  Mgr. Crociata was invited to address the role of Christian values in today’s political scenario in Europe. The event featured the participation of Dubrovka Šuica, Vice-President of the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE welcomes the withdrawal of the proposed Danish law on mandatory translation of sermons 

COMECE welcomes on Thursday 27 April 2023 the withdrawal of the proposed Danish legislation obliging Churches and religious communities to translate in the national language all sermons. COMECE President, Mgr. Crociata: “The draft bill would have had a negative implication for the protection of freedom of religion in Europe”. COMECE expressed its concerns through a Statement of its Presidency published on 22 January 2021. While understanding … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Cardinal Hollerich meets with Croatian Prime Minister Plenković

The President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), H.Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, in Split (Croatia) on Thursday 9 March 2023. Prime Minister Plenković congratulated Cardinal Hollerich on his appointment to Pope Francis’ nine-member Council of Cardinals advisers, as well as on his re-election as head of … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

High-Level Meeting of EU and Religious Leaders | COMECE shares perspectives on the impacts of the war in Ukraine

COMECE participates in the High-Level Meeting of EU and Religious Leaders hosted by the European Commission on Friday 27 January 2023 to share perspectives on how to address the wide-ranging consequences of the war in Ukraine in the European Union. Cardinal Hollerich: “the contribution of Churches is and should be considered an essential ingredient for advancing in EU policies promoting the common good”. H.E. Mgr. … Continue reading »