Category Archives: Policy Areas

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

Integration of Migrants: A Catholic Perspective Evening debate Tuesday

People migrate for a variety of reasons. Leaving the land of one’s birth is never easy. Today an increasing number of people are driven out of their homeland by poverty or by despair concerning the economic or social prospects of themselves or their families. The European Union has witnessed lately an unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants, fleeing military conflicts or poverty in their native … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Paris attacks: Statement of the General Secretary of COMECE

“The attacks perpetrated on the people of Paris yesterday evening fill us all with revulsion. They are beyond contempt. My thoughts and prayers go to the victims of these senseless acts of violence and their families. France cannot give in to campaigns of terror or violent attack, nor can Europe. Barbarism such as we have witnessed in Paris calls for a response from the civilised … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

News

Luncheon debate : The Dangers of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems

Autonomous lethal weapon systems represent one of the greatest challenges to the peaceful co-existence of peoples. They are not just highly problematic from the viewpoint of international law. They may also have a destabilising impact on security policy. However, above all their use raises major ethical questions. During the lunch debate, two distinguished experts will discuss the risks of lethal autonomous weapon systems and present … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

News

The Church in the run-up to COP 21 Christians and Climate Change: we can do more than we realise

The negotiations of the UN Climate Summit COP 21, which takes place in Paris towards the end of the year, presents a great challenge to our planet and to the whole of humanity. Inspired by the appeal launched by Pope Francis, the COMECE bishops held their autumn plenary assembly in Paris as a sign of their great engagement with the climate change issue. “All Christians … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

News

Appeal to COP 21 negotiating parties

Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), Cardinal Marx, the President of COMECE, has signed the following appeal issued by Cardinals, Patriarchs and Bishops from across the globe representing the continental groupings of national episcopal conferences. This appeal calls on the negotiators of the COP21 in Paris to work toward the approval of a fair, binding and truly transformational climate agreement. With … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

News

Lunch debate: Climate change and human mobility challenges

‘Migration is a positive and effective adaptation strategy in case of situations forcing people to leave their homelands’. The lunch debate COMECE organised on 21 October 2015 aimed at raising awareness of the potential challenges that climate induced mobility of persons represents for the international community and the appropriate answers to this phenomenon, including policy-related ones. Prof. Kjeld Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen) described in his … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

News

The EU Bishops meet in Paris to discuss Climate Change 28-30 October 2015

This autumn, the Plenary Assembly of the 27 Member Bishops of COMECE will exceptionally be held in Paris in the premises of the French Bishops’ Conference (Avenue de Breteuil) from Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 October. By meeting in Paris, ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), the COMECE Bishops wish to send a strong message and to communicate their concerns … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

Unified political response needed to current migrant crisis

Joint Statement of Bishop Christopher Hill, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), and Cardinal Reinhard Marx, President of the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community (ComECE) : The European family of nations finds itself confronting a humanitarian crisis on a scale without precedent in its post-war history. Civil war in Syria, widespread political instability in other areas of the Middle East … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Plenary Assembly, Policy Areas, Press

News

Mass for Europe. Archbishop Hollerich: “It is our duty as Christians to welcome the refugees”

Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich, member Bishop of COMECE and Archbishop of Luxembourg, the Member State currently holding the presidency of the Council of the EU, was invited to deliver the homily during the Mass for Europe, celebrated in Brussels on 23 September. At the very moment when an extraordinary European Council was being held in Brussels on the refugee crisis, Archbishop Hollerich urged Christians to show … Continue reading »