The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
In 1957 the six founding nations of the European Economic Community set out to create a common market with a common competition and trade policy. This project remains central to the European Union.
“We need to hear the cry of the poor and commit ourselves to ending their marginalisation“, said Pope Francis in his Message for the World Day of the Poor on Sunday. The Holy Father recalled that the care for the poor is at the very heart of the Christian faith. He encouraged all of us to embrace a culture of encounter “that breaks through their … Continue reading
COMECE and CEC welcome the inter-institutional proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights to be signed today at the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth that is taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden. COMECE and CEC consider the European Pillar of Social Rights as a vital and further step towards the European Social Market Economy, therefore we welcome the high-level consensus set by the … Continue reading
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
With (Re)thinking Europe approaching, COMECE exchanged ideas on the future of Europe and its underlying principles with an international seminar group discussing the role of religious and faith-based institutions in EU politics. Organised by the Catholic Social Academy in Austria (KSÖ), the exchange took place on the 15 September and highlighted the connection between the future of Europe and the activity of people working on … Continue reading
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is expected to adopt an opinion that might answer to some of the concerns raised up by Churches and civil society organisations on the topic of access to EU Funding. Complex administrative procedures, language barriers, short time-frames, cash-flow problems, as well as the difficulty for funding small-medium projects, are some of the issues that the non-binding EESC document … Continue reading
COMECE hosted a meeting with NGOs representatives and faith-based actors to discuss the issue of shrinking space for civil society. The participants reflected on how European policy-makers could contribute to fostering civic space. Civil society actors involved in providing basic services in various areas – such as healthcare, education, development, democracy promotion, good governance and the rule of law – shared experiences concerning shrinking space. … Continue reading
In a time of digitalisation, robotisation and climate change, the world of work is facing incredible changes. Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ and its call to protect employment and nature, COMECE took part in a seminar with the ILO, researchers and Church-based actors in Geneva. The conference was a first stepping-stone towards a COMECE reflection on the future of work. Together with Catholic … Continue reading
Under the chairmanship of Mgr. Ambrosio, the COMECE Social Affairs Commission met on Friday in Brussels. Together with EU representatives, the committee of experts exchanged views on the EU reflection paper on the deepening of the Eurozone, the European Solidarity Corps and the European Pillar of Social Rights on Friday. Among the guest speakers were Kai Wynands, Head of Cabinet of the EU Commission Vice-President … Continue reading
In a breakfast meeting with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), COMECE discussed on Thursday best practices to ensure a decent work-life balance for the ongoing process of digitalisation of the world of labour. The event was organized by the European Sunday Alliance as a follow-up to last year’s conference “Work-Life-Balance 4.0 – Challenges in a time of digitalisation”, and gathered a group of 60 … Continue reading
COMECE welcomes the Commission Recommendation establishing the European Pillar of Social Rights, which was presented this 26 April. The initiative is an important step towards the European Treaties objective of a social market economy. “The first element of European vitality must be solidarity”, emphasised Pope Francis in his address to EU leaders on 24 March 2017 in Rome. The Commission Recommendations establishing the European Pillar … Continue reading