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

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 »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

Holy Mass in memory of late EP President David Sassoli

On the occasion of the first anniversary since the passing of the late President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, COMECE, together with the Apostolic Nunciature to the EU and the Italian Catholic community in Belgium, celebrated on Wednesday 11 January 2023 a commemorative Holy Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Victories of the Sablon in Brussels. The service was presided by Mgr. Hrvoje Škrlec, Chargé d’Affaires … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Holy Mass to remember late EP President David Sassoli to be held on Wednesday 11 January in Brussels

On the occasion of the first anniversary since the passing of the late President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, the First Vice-President of COMECE, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, recalls the importance of his work for the common good in Europe. A commemorative Holy Mass is to be celebrated on Wednesday 11 January in Brussels. “President Sassoli is a figure destined to leave a profound … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Czech EU Presidency: Ecumenical delegation meets with Czech Prime Minister Fiala

An ecumenical delegation with members from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, on Wednesday, 7 December 2022, to discuss efforts of the current EU Presidency in addressing some of the most pressing challenges the EU and its citizens are facing today. Received … Continue reading »