Category Archives: Press

International Religious Freedom, Plenary Assembly, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

🔴 STATEMENT | European bishops urge appointment of EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom

The bishops of the European Union concluded their Autumn Assembly, held in Brussels from 1 to 3 October 2025, with a letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, advocating the reinstatement of an EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union. Statement [EN – FR – DE – IT – ES – HU – … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

ASSEMBLY | Note from the President of COMECE on the crisis in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan

In the context of the autumn plenary assembly of the bishops of the European Union, taking place in Brussels from 1 to 3 October, the COMECE Secretariat is publishing a note from the President of COMECE, Mgr Mariano Crociata, on the dramatic situation in the Gaza Strip, in Ukraine, Sudan, and in other regions affected by war. Below is the text of the note in … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

Strengthening Europe’s mission: EU bishops to convene in Brussels on 1-3 October

The Bishops of the European Union will gather in Brussels from 1 to 3 October 2025 for the COMECE Autumn Plenary Assembly. The meeting will focus on the role of the European Union amid today’s international scenario, marked by instability, lack of multilateral dialogue and growing military and economic rivalry among regional powers. The Assembly will feature the participation of EU Commissioner Brunner, EP Vice … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Event

EVENT | “AI and Human Trafficking: threats, tools and legal frontiers” – Conference at the European Parliament, 30 September. Registration now open

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) warmly invites you to attend the conference “AI & Human Trafficking: Threats, Tools, and Legal Frontiers”, to be held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00. Participation is open to the public. Registration is required Human trafficking is becoming an increasingly technology-enabled crime. Perpetrators exploit social … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Christian Group on Migration and Asylum expresses concern about EU return proposal

The Christian Group on Migration and Asylum, a coalition of Christian Churches and agencies from across Europe that includes the Secretariat of COMECE, has expressed serious concern about the European Commission’s draft regulation for a new common European system for returns, in a statement released on Thursday, 18 September 2025. Download Statement Representing Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic traditions, as well as agencies working directly … Continue reading »

Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press, Youth Platform, Youth policies

Press Release

DOCUMENT | COMECE submits contribution to EU consultation on the MFF in the fields of Culture, Education and Youth

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conference of the European Union (COMECE) releases its contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, focusing on cross-border education, training and solidarity, youth, media, culture, the creative sectors, values and civil society, on Tuesday, 16 September 2025. Download the Contribution [EN] The contribution “Dare and care to invest in the future” has been … Continue reading »

Press

News

Honoring the life and service of Mgr. Noël Treanor: Memorial Mass in Brussels on 15 September 2025

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) cordially invites you to participate in the Holy Mass in memory of H.E. Mgr. Noël Treanor, to be held on Monday, 15 September 2025, at 18:00 in the Church Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon, Brussels. His Excellency Mgr. Noël Treanor passed away on Sunday, 11 August 2024. He had profound knowledge of the workings … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE Secretary General participates in SECAM’s 20th Plenary Assembly in Kigali

At the invitation of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), COMECE Secretary General, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, took part in the 20th Plenary Assembly held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 30 July to 4 August 2025. Read SECAM Assembly Final Declaration This offered Fr. Barrios Prieto the possibility of sharing some of the most recent COMECE initiatives concerning Africa, including joint activities with … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Solidarity visit to Ukraine: COMECE witnesses the scale of human loss

A delegation of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), led by its President Mgr. Mariano Crociata, concluded an official visit to Ukraine from 16 to 18 July 2025. The visit reaffirmed COMECE’s closeness to the people of Ukraine and its unwavering solidarity with those suffering from the consequences of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression.  Photo Gallery | Mgr. Crociata’s video … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE President mourns Gaza Church attack amid Ukraine solidarity visit

Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), expresses deep emotion and grave concern at the news of the recent attack on the only Catholic Church in the Gaza Strip, which occurred today, Thursday 17 July 2025. The news reached Mgr. Crociata while he is in Ukraine for a three-day visit to express solidarity with the Ukrainian … Continue reading »