Category Archives: Policy Areas

NEWS

COMECE participation to Vatican’s conference on Nuclear Disarmament

In a high-level conference on Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament organised in the Vatican on 11-12 November 2017, Pope Francis condemned the use and possession of nuclear weapons. Pope Francis encouraged the 350 participants, including representatives from COMECE, to explore the connections between integral human development, peace and nuclear disarmament, in order to build a world without nuclear weapons. Participants to the International Symposium pointed to … Continue reading »

Press Release

Joint Statement of EU and African Bishops’ Conferences ahead of the upcoming AU–EU Summit

Ahead of the 5th summit of the African Union and the European Union – Abidjan, 28–29 November 2017 – the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences in the European Union (COMECE) and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), have published today a joint Statement entitled “Africa and Europe shall work as one for the youth of our continents”. COMECE and SECAM – whose … Continue reading »

NEWS

EU-Religious leaders. COMECE: “Christians working for the common good”

“We are not an interest group speaking in favor of religions, we are European citizens committed to the construction of Europe”, said Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich during a high-level meeting between the EU institutions and religious leaders from across Europe. European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, together with European Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness, hosted the 13th Annual High-Level meeting between the EU institutions and leaders from … Continue reading »

NEWS

Extractives in Latin America in debate at COMECE

In cooperation with Pax Christi International and CIDSE, COMECE organised a panel discussion on the challenges posed by the extractive industries in Latin America. Grassroots actors and policy-makers exchanged on challenges and perspectives at different levels. The panel hosted by COMECE included Mikeas Sánchez Gomez, a representative of the indigenous Zoque community from Chiapas (Mexico), Martha Ines Romero, Pax Christi Coordinator for Latin American and … Continue reading »

NEWS

World Day for Decent Work: standing up for fair labour conditions

The World Day for Decent Work (7 October) reminded to all of us to stand up and advocate for fair labour conditions centred around the principles of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. “The situation of youth unemployment, and that of so many who have lost their job and are unable to reinsert themselves, are realities we cannot grow used to, treating them as if … Continue reading »

NEWS

Article 17, EU Commission appoints new Dialogue Coordinator

COMECE welcomes the appointment by the European Commission of new Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Coordinator, Vincent Depaigne, and is looking forward to strengthening the Dialogue with the EU institutions in a creative manner. Vincent Depaigne has been appointed as new Coordinator for the Dialogue with churches, religious associations or communities as well as philosophical and non-confessional organisations. The renewed distinction of this position from other … Continue reading »

Press Release

Brexit: UK is leaving the EU but not leaving Europe

COMECE welcomed a delegation from the Department of International Affairs of the Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales. The group of bishops visited COMECE headquarter in Brussels in order to learn more about its activity with the EU institutions. The delegation also met with representatives from European Union institutions. Bishops visit European Union to deepen links with the Church in Europe. Bishops from England and … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE participates to expert meeting on religion and human rights

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) seems to be willing to mark a new openness to Churches and religious communities, as a wide-ranging expert meeting was organised on the nexus between religion and human rights. The event, held in Vienna on 12-13 September 2017, highlighted the past and present, paramount contribution of Churches and religious communities in the area of fundamental rights. COMECE was … Continue reading »

NEWS

EU-Africa partnership, COMECE gathers religious actors and policy-makers

COMECE and Caritas Europa hosted a dialogue meeting with faith-based actors and policy-makers in preparation of the 5th EU-Africa Summit that will take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in November 2017. Stakeholders from the United Nations, African Union, European External Action Service, European Parliament, European Commission, as well as the Estonian Council Presidency and faith-based actors from the field, discussed three key policy areas: Youth, … Continue reading »