Category Archives: Policy Areas

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE: “freedom of religion is a cornerstone of human rights”

COMECE reaffirmed the fundamental right to Freedom of Religion (FoRB) during a meeting at the EU Parliament on 5 November, highlighting the problem of religious illiteracy and the need to reinforce the EU mechanism for its protection. Organised by MEP Andrzej Grzyb (EPP), the event gathered Mairead McGuinness, Vicepresident of the EU Parliament, Jan Figel, EU Special Envoy on FoRB, and representatives of Churches, religious … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

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COMECE calls for EU family-friendly policies

Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, called on EU politicians to promote family-friendly policies during the FAFCE-organised conference “The Family: ecosystem for cultural life in Europe” held at the European Parliament on 6 November 2018. “The family is a place of trust and a source of solidarity – stated Mgr. Hollerich SJ. It is the environment where we are growing up, discovering our strengths … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Press Release

COMECE publishes reflection on the Future of Work

In view of the 2019 European elections and on the occasion of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) centenary initiative on the future of work, the COMECE Social Affairs Commission publishes the reflection paper “Shaping the future of work”. The document encourages the EU to shape the digital and ecological transformations of the world of work aiming to the common good. The reflection highlights the role … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

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Legal Affairs Commission: data protection and non-discrimination still high on the agenda

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission, presided b H.E. Mgr. Hoogenboom, met on 15 October 2018 and exchanged views on EU and Church priority topics. In dialogue with European Commission representatives, experts discussed the significance of the Egenberger and IR judgments for Church structures and the implications of the Coman judgment for national legal systems. Experts also reflected on the actions carried out by the Church … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Church worldwide calls for ambitious and urgent climate action

In the context of a recent UN report on the urgent need to develop policies that limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, together with all the other presidents of continental Bishops’ Conferences, calls politicians to work towards an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement. They ask for COP24 to prove a milestone in the path set out in … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

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COMECE Commission on the External Relations of the EU

The COMECE Commission on the External Relations of the EU gathered on 9-10 October 2018 under the presidency of Mgr. Rimantas Norvila (Lithuania). It exchanged with EU officials on the challenges and opportunities for the EU External Action in the fields of Peace and Security, EU Southern Neighbourhood and Trade policy. Distinguished representatives of the European institutions, including Stefano Grassi and Gilles Bertrand (EU External … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Colombian Church delegation: “the EU contribution strengthened the legitimacy of the peace process”

The president of the Colombian Catholic Bishops’ Conference officially met with high-level EU officials on 10-11 October 2018 and exchanged views on the ongoing peace process in Colombia addressing the next steps towards the reconciliation of the country. Following the Colombian elections and in view of the ongoing implementation of the peace agreement, COMECE, together with CIDSE, Caritas Germany, Brot für die Welt and Diakonie … Continue reading »