Category Archives: Policy Areas

Press Release

COMECE facilitates Albanian Church delegation’s visit to the EU

In the context of the current debate on the future of the EU enlargement process, COMECE received H.E. Mgr. George Frendo OP and H.E. Mgr. Gjergj Meta, respectively President and General Secretary of the Albanian Bishops’ Conference on 3-4 February 2020. They met with high-level representatives of the EU and of the Church to exchange on challenges and opportunities for Albania’s EU integration. The visit … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE establishes a dialogue with the Court of Justice of the EU

On Friday 31 January 2020, a COMECE delegation met with several judges of the Court of Justice of the EU to discuss the increasing impact of the Court’s jurisprudence in the Member States’ legal systems. Mgr. Hoogenboom: “this fruitful dialogue enriched the COMECE Legal Affairs Commission and brought to the attention of the judges legal specificities and some key points of the Catholic Church in … Continue reading »

Press Release

COMECE Presidency: “Brexit will not succeed in shattering EU-UK fraternal relations”

In the context of the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the COMECE Standing Committee has elaborated a declaration on the topic. Although saddened by this event, the COMECE Standing Committee respect the will expressed by the British citizens during the 2016 Referendum and assure that, “even though the UK will no longer be part of the EU, it will still continue … Continue reading »

News

Integral human development: how can the EU enhance partnerships with religious actors?

On Thursday 23 January 2020 COMECE hosted a dialogue meeting between Churches, faith-based actors, as well as international and European policy-makers, on how to enhance the cooperation among actors working in the field of integral and sustainable human development. Co-organised with Caritas Europa in the context of on-going negotiations on the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the meeting highlighted the important role of Churches and … Continue reading »

News

Liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau: 75th anniversary. Bishops across Europe: “No to antisemitism and political manipulation of the truth”

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, COMECE and CCEE, on behalf of the bishops of the EU and Europe, express their commitment to fight “all acts that trample on human dignity”, including racism, xenophobia and antisemitism. In the spirit of the message addressed by Pope Francis to the “Simon Wiesenthal Center” on Monday 20 January 2020, … Continue reading »

News

COMECE calls the EU to ensure stability in Burkina Faso

According to recent statistics, since the beginning of 2019, a total of 238 armed attacks have been reported in Burkina Faso, transforming the African country in the epicenter of the Sahel’s security crisis. COMECE calls the EU to support the country’s authorities, as well as Churches and religious communities, to prevent clashes and conflicts and enhance mutual respect. About one-third of the country is engulfed … Continue reading »

NEWS

What is the link between Tax Justice and Poverty?

COMECE, together with the Jesuit Provincial Conferences from Europe and Africa, held a conference on Wednesday 11 December 2019 on the link between “Tax justice and poverty”. Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto: “taxes should be thesteering wheel of the economy towards ecological and social justice”. The event gathered selected representatives of the EU Commission, Church and civil society, experts on fair taxation in Europe and Africa, … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE supports the process launched with the European Green Deal

COMECE welcomes the ‘European Green Deal’ as presented yesterday Wednesday 11 December 2019, at the European Parliament by EU Commission’s President Ms. Ursula von der Leyen. “It is very important that Europe takes the lead in the care for our environment” – stated COMECE General Secretary, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto. “It is also desirable – continued Fr. Barrios Prieto – that the EU institutions go … Continue reading »

NEWS

World Church leaders call upon COP25 for urgent climate action

Following the recent Synod of the Bishops on Amazonia, the President of COMECE, H. Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, together with other Catholic Church leaders from across all continents, issued a call upon policymakers participating in COP25 for immediate actions to be taken to tackle and overcome climate change. Church leaders from every continent express their deep concern about the poor state of commitment and … Continue reading »