29/05/2018
COMECE Recommendations for humane return policies in Europe (EN)
Category Archives: Migration & Asylum
Migration and asylum are human rights issues. Frequently, individuals and families leave their places of origin or residence seeking an improvement in their living conditions or simply fleeing violence or war.
The current scale of the phenomenon at the EU borders is worrying, as are the tragedies and deaths that result from the desperation of migrants, many of them victims of criminal activities of smugglers and traffickers. Integration of migrants and asylum seekers is also a challenge.
The COMECE Secretariat works for the rights of migrants, refugees and hosting societies to be harmonised and respected in the EU for the sake of the common good in the Christian spirit of welcoming the stranger.
COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Working Group on Migration and Asylum.
NEWS
World Day of Peace: Migration as an opportunity to build peace
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
NEWS
COMECE Working Group on Migration and Asylum: focus on the African migration to the EU
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
NEWS
Mediterranean Sea: Migrants and refugees should be protected at all stages of their journey
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
15/09/2017
Christian Group Consultation Legal Migration (EN)
NEWS
World Refugee Day: working together with refugees
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
NEWS
Migration: root causes and how to address them
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
Invitation
Addressing Migration at its roots causes: How can the EU help to improve the prospects of Africa’s youth?
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
NEWS
COMECE debates on the challenge of integration
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
Invitation
The challenge of integration – Living Together in Europe
This year’s social-ethical talks will be held on 18 and 19 May 2017. The theme of the joint meeting of KSZ and COMECE is “The challenge of integration – Living Together in Europe”. Since 2011, KSZ and COMECE have been jointly organising the Mönchengladbach (Germany) social-ethical talks with their orientation on European policies. In 2015 and 2016 more than one million migrants have come to … Continue reading