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 in dialogue with the Court of Justice of the EU

Following up to the successful first visit in 2020, the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission, on Thursday, 29 February 2024, carried out a study visit to the Court of Justice of the EU, meeting extensively with Judges and Advocate Generals. The programme involved both formal and informal moments of exchange and dialogue and allowed some frank reflections on the state of the EU jurisprudence. The focus … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Austrian Bishop Zsifkovics visits Brussels for a series of meetings with EU representatives

In a series of official meetings with high representatives of the EU institutions, Bishop Mgr. Zsifkovics (Austria) addressed some of the most pressing issues for Europe and the Catholic Church. The meetings took place in the context of an official trip to Brussels, held on 19-21 February 2024. The meetings were facilitated by COMECE. The Bishop was accompanied by a group of journalists from the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

VIDEO | Article 17 TFEU: Churches and EU address disinformation ahead of 2024 EU elections

Fake news, disinformation and conspiracy theories are plagues in our society, dangerous tools against our democracies, especially in view of the 2024 EU elections. This topic was at the center of the Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Seminar with Churches, religious communities, and philosophical and non-confessional organisations held on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at the European Parliament, Brussels. Video of the Dialogue Seminar The theme of … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

BELGIAN EU PRESIDENCY | European Churches meet with Ambassador Willem van de Voorde

An ecumenical delegation representing the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the EU, on 18 January 2024, in Brussels, to discuss the priorities of the Belgian EU Presidency. Read the COMECE-CEC Contribution The meeting was a fruitful occasion to present and share … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Article 17 High-Level Meeting features COMECE contribution

COMECE participated in the Article 17 TFEU Annual High-Level meeting between the European Commission and religious leaders on the theme “The European Way of Life in times of instability”, on Thursday 18 January 2024. Speeches: Mgr. Crociata – Mgr. Hoogenboom | Watch the video | Photo Gallery The meeting was hosted by Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission and responsible for Article 17 TFEU … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

“Jacques Delors dedicated his life to others”, says COMECE First Vice-President Mgr. Hérouard

The First Vice-President of COMECE and Archbishop of Dijon, Mgr. Antoine Hérouard, delivered a heartfelt homily during the obsequies of the late President of the EU Commission, Jacques Delors, held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, in Fontaine-la-Gaillarde, France. Mgr. Hérouard articulated Delors’ vision, stating that “he wanted to give a new meaning to political action, rooted in the commandment of Christian love.” Read the text … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Churches reflect on the role of Christian values in the EU

The relevance of Christian values for the European Union, especially in the context of the upcoming European elections in June 2024, was discussed by EU officials and representatives of Churches and Catholic NGOs in a meeting held in Brussels last Wednesday 6 December 2023. Organised by COMECE, together with the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, the meeting featured a … Continue reading »