Category Archives: Policy Areas

Migration & Asylum, Plenary Assembly, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

‘Migration and Integration in the EU’ COMECE Plenary Assembly 13-15 November in Brussels

Europe is a continent on the move. Internal migration and migration from outside, not least in pursuit of political asylum, has impacted on the lives of all communities within all Member States and communities of the EU. The Church is deeply concerned for the situation of refugees and asylum seekers, especially after the tragedy off Lampedusa. ‘Migration and Integration’ will be the main topic of … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Do not be misled: abortion is not a EU competence

In the context of the Vote today at the European Parliament of an own initiative Report on “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” which includes abortion, COMECE recalls that the EU has no competence in regard to this matter. EU citizens should not be misled. Article 168 § 7of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU states that the ‘‘Union action shall respect the … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

News

Churches on Climate Change: a matter of Solidarity and Global Justice

In light of the IPCC’s 5th Assessment report, and in advance of the Warsaw Climate Change Conference, a one day seminar entitled “Environmental protection and climate change as a challenge for policies – the role of ethics, lifestyles, solidarity and global justice” has concluded. Organised jointly by the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Commission of the Episcopates … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

Lampedusa: this is not the Europe we want

In a meeting today with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, COMECE President, expressed his deep concern for the situation of refugees and asylum seekers, especially after the tragedy off Lampedusa, where an estimated 280 people died whilst attempting to reach the shores of Europe. In the light of this tragedy, Cardinal Marx has urged the Europeans to act: … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE’s Opinion on Medical Devices: Not safe enough

In an Opinion published today, the COMECE Reflection Group on Bioethics, while welcoming the ongoing revision of European legislation on Medical Devices, warns against some ethical shortcomings and proposes improvements to Proposals which will be voted in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament on 18 September. There are currently around half a million medical devices (MDs) on the market … Continue reading »

Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs, Youth policies

News

Youth Policies, Education and unemployment. The young claim: ‘we are the solution !’

Young people have great expectations where the EU decisions makers are concerned, especially after the promises of the 28 EU Heads of States to put together an EU youth employment package. But is this a reliable long term solution to youth unemployment? Young people want the EU to tackle unemployment and education not FOR them but WITH them because they see themselves as the solution … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

Religious Freedom Guidelines: a welcome step forward

Press 25/06/2013: COMECE welcomes the adoption today by the Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU of New “EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief“. This new instrument provides the staff in the EEAS (External Action service), EU Delegations, Representations and Embassies with an operational set of tools to be used in relations with third-countries. It is designed … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

European Citizenship: we need a sense of belonging to a community

EU citizenship is an issue central to our European identity and promises to feature prominently in the debates preceding the 2014 European Parliamentary elections. In the context of the European Year of Citizens 2013, the EU Commission has sought the views of the Churches on this theme in the frame of the Dialogue Seminar on 20 June. From the perspective of the EU Commission, Ms … Continue reading »