Category Archives: Policy Areas

Press, Youth policies

Invitation

Synod on Youth continues: a socio-political reading

In October 2018, on the occasion of the “Synod on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment”, Pope Francis urged youth and Church representatives to discuss the involvement of young people in society. Rather than working for the youth, Pope Francis highlighted, it is necessary to work with the youth, allowing them to fully realise their talents and aspirations in their local communities, and to empower them … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Press

NEWS

Military Bishops in dialogue with the EU on human security

In the context of an increased attention to security concerns of European citizens, COMECE organised on Monday 8 April 2019 a first meeting between Military Bishops from across the European Union and EU military officials to enhance the cooperation towards a shared strategic culture across Europe. This meeting allowed them to exchange on their respective military realities and on the EU’s response to current geopolitical … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Press

NEWS

COMECE calls the EU to promote long term resilience in Syria

COMECE urges the EU to support Syrian people to overcome their immediate humanitarian needs and to promote their long term resilience. The call came on Wednesday 3 April 2019 during the conference “The next day in Syria: a path towards the resilience of Syrian people” co-organised at the European Parliament by COMECE and its ecumenical and political partners. After six years of war, people in … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Press

NEWS

COMECE on Roma inclusion: “working with them, not for them”

In view of the upcoming EU elections and on the occasion of the “2019 Roma Week”, COMECE calls future EU leaders to adopt a post-2020 EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies and to relaunch EU institutions’ commitment to enhance Roma inclusion. The 2018 EC report on the evaluation of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 shows improvements in the … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Press

NEWS

COMECE President in Washington DC to promote “Integral Ecology”

Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., President of COMECE participated in an international conference on “Integral Ecology” organised at the Georgetown University (USA) in preparation of the Pan-Amazon Synod scheduled on 6-27 October 2019. Mgr. Hollerich called for ensuring accountability of the private sector with regard to legal, social and environmental standards. Promoting the messages carried out by Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, Church leaders from … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

NEWS

COMECE welcomes some new EP steps towards a stronger transparency

The European Parliament recently introduced new internal rules concerning transparency in its interaction with “interest representatives”. The changes entered into force on 11 February 2019. COMECE supports transparency of EU institutions, allowing citizens to better assess processes leading to the laws governing them. This is key to accountability and exemplarity, especially in view of the May 2019 EU Elections. The new rule, which oblige Rapporteurs, … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Press

NEWS

Holy See’s Undersecretary Fr. Czerny presents the “Pastoral Orientations on human trafficking” at the European Parliament

“Our long-term goal is to prevent, ultimately dismantle, this most evil and sinful enterprise of deception, entrapment, domination and exploitation called human trafficking”, stated Fr. Michael Czerny , S.J., Under-Secretary of the Migrants & Refugees Section (Holy See), during a dialogue meeting hosted at the European Parliament by MEP Teresa Jiménez-Becerril on Tuesday 19 February 2019. Focusing on “Catholic Action against Trafficking in Human Beings”, … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Press

NEWS

Legal Affairs Commission: Article 17 and Fundamental Rights under the spotlight

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission met on 7 February 2019 to discuss some current legal topics of interest for the Church, including the implementation of Article 17 TFEU and the need for the EU and its Member states to better promote and protect Fundamental Rights. Experts focused on Article 17 TFEU as a tool supporting the relationship between Churches and the EU institutions by setting … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Press

Invitation

“Catholic Action against Trafficking in Human Beings”

COMECE and Don Bosco International are pleased to invite you on 19 February 2019 from 13h00 to 14h30 to participate in the “Catholic Action against Trafficking in Human Beings”, a dialogue meeting hosted by MEP Teresa Jiménez-Becerril at the European Parliament. This event will gather Churches and civil society representatives together with policy-makers and other active stakeholders in the field of anti-trafficking. It will take … Continue reading »