21/12/2016
Comments on the proposed reform of the Common European Asylum System (EN)
Category Archives: Policy Areas
Press Release
Cardinal Marx on the Berlin attack
Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the President of COMECE and of the German Bishops’ Conference, expresses his compassion for the victims and calls for unity after yesterday’s act of violence against the Christmas market in Berlin (19 December 2016): “The news from Berlin have deeply shocked me. The violence on the Christmas market is the opposite of what visitors were seeking. My compassion goes to the relatives … Continue reading
12/12/2016
COMECE statement on poverty and social exclusion in Europe – Rescue the weak and the poor (EN)
Press Release
European Bishops call for an integrated approach to combat poverty
119 million Europeans are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Among them, children and families are still the most affected. The Catholic Church in Europe is particularly involved in the fight against this plague. Convinced of the urgent need for an integrated approach at European level, COMECE puts forward a series of proposals. As the European Commission develops a European Pillar of social rights, … Continue reading
NEWS
Youth Unemployment: ‘Church plays vital role’, say MEP and EU Commission
40 participants took part in a COMECE-Don Bosco international debate on Tackling Youth Unemployment in Europe – A Catholic Church’s Perspective. Mgr. Adrianus van Luyn, representatives from EU institutions and the European Youth Forum discussed with Iván Toscano, expert on Vocational Education and Training at Don Bosco (Italy), the effectiveness of the EU instruments to tackle youth unemployment. Panellists encouraged the EU to strengthen the … Continue reading
Invitation
Tackling Youth Unemployment in Europe a Catholic Church’s Perspective
In October, the European Commission presented a first evaluation of its measures aimed at reducing youth unemployment. The communication acknowledged that the Youth Guarantee and the Employment Initiative contributed to the decrease of youth unemployment since 2013. Evening debate – Tuesday 6 December 2016, 18.30 Organised by Don Bosco International and COMECE Venue: COMECE Secretariat, 19, Square de Meeûs, B-1050 Brussels In a joint evening … Continue reading
NEWS
What are the priorities for funding peace-building in 2017?
COMECE participated in a consultation of the civil society with the EU Commission organised by The European Peacebuilding Liaison Office, a platform of NGOs on the 2017 programming of the EU financial Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace. The discussion mainly focused on preventing violent extremism, strengthening the role of civil society in the security sector and the importance of peace education. With regard to … Continue reading
Press Release
Migration and European values Topic of the High-level religious leaders meeting with the EU
Two Bishops of COMECE participated in the High-level religious leaders meeting with the EU. This year it was dedicated to the theme “Migration, Integration, European values: from words to action”. COMECE welcomes the open and constructive dialogue which took place on 29 November at the seat of the EU Commission with the Commission’s First Vice-President Frans Timmermans. The First Vice-President of COMECE, Mgr Jean Kockerols, … Continue reading
NEWS
Sudan: Visit of Bishop Gassis to the EU
COMECE received H.E. Macram Max Gassis, Bishop emeritus of the Diocese El Obeid in Sudan. The Bishop came to Brussels to draw attention to the suffering of the Nuba people. He called on the EU to contribute to a peaceful and just settlement of the ongoing conflict. In concrete terms, Mgr Gassis demanded the cessation of aerial bombings, the opening of relief corridors and that … Continue reading
NEWS
COMECE advocates rights of Christians in the Middle East at UN meeting
In the Middle East, many women and men belonging to religious minorities, in particular Christians, are expelled from their homeland and become asylum seekers or are internally displaced. They have a right to return to their homes. This was the main message delivered by COMECE at the United Nations Global Summit on “Religion, Peace and Security” in Geneva on 23 – 25 November. COMECE Legal … Continue reading