Category Archives: Press

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

News

“Economy should serve humanity and promote the dignity of every person”, says COMECE at EP conference on Social Market Economy

“The purpose of the economy is to serve humanity, not the other way around. It should promote the dignity of every person,” stated Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, during the conference ‘A Social Market Economy that Cares’, hosted by the EPP Group at the European Parliament on Wednesday, 21 February 2024. Full video recording | Photo Gallery The conference focused on addressing … Continue reading »

Christian ARTworks month by month, Press

Slovakia

Christian ARTworks | The “Blue Church” of Saint Elisabeth (Slovakia)

This month, our ‘Christian Heritage month by month’ column presents the church of Saint Elisabeth, the  20th century “blue church” in the Archdiocese of Bratislava, in Slovakia. Click here for more info Originally planned as a small chapel adjacent to the royal Catholic grammar school of one of the growing districts of Bratislava at the time, the Church of Saint Elisabeth – today known as the “blue Church” … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

“Winning the battle against human trafficking is possible!”

COMECE and the Santa Marta Group held a conference at the European Parliament on Wednesday, 14 February 2024, highlighting the positive contribution that Churches and faith-based organisation give to the fight against human trafficking, protecting victims and making perpetrators accountable. COMECE: “Human trafficking is not an inevitable crime. The long-term commitment of all social, economic, religious, cultural and political actors can lead to winning this … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

VIDEO | Article 17 TFEU: Churches and EU address disinformation ahead of 2024 EU elections

Fake news, disinformation and conspiracy theories are plagues in our society, dangerous tools against our democracies, especially in view of the 2024 EU elections. This topic was at the center of the Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Seminar with Churches, religious communities, and philosophical and non-confessional organisations held on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at the European Parliament, Brussels. Video of the Dialogue Seminar The theme of … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

STATEMENT | COMECE and CIDSE urge Council to adopt Due Diligence Directive

In anticipation of the imminent vote by the Council of the EU on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, COMECE and CIDSE jointly issue the following Statement. Together, they urge the governments of EU Member States to promptly adopt the compromise text resulting from the political trialogue negotiations held last December. “Now more than ever, we need mandatory … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

EP Resolution on attacks against Christians in Nigeria: COMECE highlights Religious dimension

COMECE welcomes the resolution of the European Parliament adopted on Thursday, 8 February 2024, condemning recent attacks against Christians in Nigeria. COMECE: “The resolution, however, downplays the religious dimension of the conflict”. The Resolution adopted by the European Parliament condemns the massacre committed on 23-25 December 2023, when gunmen launched a large-scale attack in more than 160 villages in the Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Magu … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE on the Artificial Intelligence Act: “It does justice to the ethical foundations of the EU”

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) issues a statement titled “A European Call for Responsibility – Ethical Demands for a Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence,” on Friday, 2 February 2024, welcoming the recent adoption of the EU regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Bishop Jamnik: “It is the first robust EU regulatory framework for AI that does justice to the ethical foundations of … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Event

EVENT | Join us in the Fight Against Human Trafficking!

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) invites you to the conference, “The role of Churches and faith-based organisations in fighting trafficking in Human Beings: Catholic initiatives”, to be held at the European Parliament, Brussels, on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 10:00-12:00 (CET). This event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration in the fight against human trafficking, as well as discover … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE on farmers protests: “A sustainable future of our food system and a secure and flourishing future for farmers can coexist”

While major farmer protests are taking place across the European Union, COMECE issues the following statement on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, standing in solidarity with farmers and calling on the policymakers to put the human person in the centre of political considerations on agriculture. COMECE: “a sustainable future of our food system and a secure and flourishing future for farmers can coexist”. Download the Statement … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press

News

Pope Francis receives COMECE President Mgr. Crociata to discuss about Europe

On Friday, January 26, 2024, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), had an audience with Pope Francis. Their discussions encompassed various topics including European integration, peace, the recently agreed EU Pact on Migration, and the role of youth in our societies. Bishop Crociata further elaborated on these discussions in an interview with AgenSIR. Read … Continue reading »