The COMECE Working Group on Migration and Asylum examined the status quo of the negotiations concerning the Dublin Regulation recast, that should be adopted by the Council at the end of June 2018. The event was held last week and gathered experts from Bishops’ conferences, representatives of Catholic organizations and EU and UN officials. Participants also discussed the criminalisation of the humanitarian assistance to irregular … Continue reading »

In his Message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Francis encouraged to offer «refugees, migrants and victims of human trafficking an opportunity to find the peace they seek». The Holy Father also underlined that political leaders should «by practising the virtue of prudence, […] take practical measures to welcome, promote, protect and integrate» men and women, children, young and elderly people searching for peace. … Continue reading »

COMECE Working Group on Migration and Asylum analysed the situation and challenges related to African migration to the EU, in the context of the new EU–Africa Partnership. Held on the 6th of December, the working group gathered representatives of Catholic organizations, experts from Bishops’ conferences and EU officials. The participants examined main migratory trends in Sub-Saharian countries, as well as some of North African realities, … Continue reading »

According to a recent report published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), almost 3,000 migrants and asylum seekers died attempting treacherous boat crossings to Europe so far this year. For COMECE, “migrants and refugees should be protected at all stages of their journey.” Despite the EU efforts to address the challenges of the migration crisis on the basis of its European Agenda, migrants and … Continue reading »

In a world where violence forces thousands of families to flee for their lives each day, it is time to show that the global public stands with refugees. This is the reason that, less than two decades ago, brought the UN General Assembly to designite 20 June as World Refugee Day. While supporting the UN intentions, COMECE and the various European Episcopal Conferences, together with … Continue reading »

Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo from Bukavu (DR Congo) debated with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament the root causes of migration in Central and Eastern Africa, and the possible ways to address them. The luncheon debate – organised by COMECE together with Kolping-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete, missio Aachen, and Bertelsmann Stiftung – intended to raise awareness on the root causes of migration, identifying … Continue reading »

Event organized by COMECE, Kolping-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete, missio Aachen, and Bertelsmann Stiftung with a keynote address of Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo (DR Congo) followed by a discussion with MEP Michael Gahler (EPP) and Jean-Louis Ville (EU Commission). A sandwich lunch will be provided at 12:30 hrs. The missio exhibition on the causes of migration and the Kolping Roadshow on integration of refugees will stimulate our … Continue reading »

In cooperation with the Centre for Catholic Social Science (KSZ), COMECE held on 18 and 19 May its social-ethical talks in Mönchengladbach/Germany. At the two-day meeting, about 80 scholars, politicians and representatives of the Church and its organisations exchanged their views on the topic of “Integration as a challenge – Living together in Europe”. Participants stressed the need for political actions and civic engagement in … Continue reading »