Category Archives: Press

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

EuropeDay 2022 | EU Bishops: “peace and stronger citizens’ participation”

On Monday 9 May 2022, on Europe Day, COMECE President Cardinal Hollerich praises the Conference on the Future of Europe and expresses hopes for further initiatives promoting citizens’ participation in shaping the EU. The Cardinal restates the Catholic Church’s commitment to continue being a faithful and honest companion of the EU project. On future EU membership: “Ukraine and all other European countries that have applied, … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Statement | COMECE ahead of EP motion for resolution on the persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion

In view of the today’s vote of the European Parliament’s motion for resolution on the persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion, the General Secretary of COMECE, Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, has made the following statement: “The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as well as the inherent right to life are fundamental human rights recognized in international law. They … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

5th European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day to be held on 17 May 2022

The European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA) is pleased to invite you to the 5th Laudato Si’ Reflection Day to be held online on Tuesday 17 May 2022 from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Two Generations, One Journey”. Register here The event will be an occasion to have an intergenerational dialogue around environmental movements of yesterday … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

European Church leaders send letter to Putin and Zelenskyy calling for an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine

COMECE and CEC Presidents, H.Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ and Rev. Christian Krieger, sent a letter addressed to the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday 11 April 2022, calling for an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine from midnight on 17 April until midnight on 24 April. Letter to Putin and Zelenskyy | Letter to Patriarch Kirill | Video from the … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release, 08/04/2022

Leaders of EU Churches at the Polish-Ukrainian border call for peace and reconciliation

The Presidents of COMECE and CEC issue a special Easter message from the Polish-Ukrainian border on Friday 8 April 2022, invoking prayer and action for peace in Ukraine and beyond. “Let us continue to pray and work for justice, reconciliation and peace between people, cultures, nations.” Easter Message | Video| Photos H.Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ and Rev. Christian Krieger, Presidents of the Commission of … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Webinar | Is the EU as a community of shared legal principles in a crisis?

The process of European integration is often described as a history of crises. At the same time, however, the EU is a unique project for peace and democracy, based on jointly established and consistently observed law. In recent years, this framework has been increasingly called into question and appears less amenable to consensus. Is the EU in crisis? What is the validity of European values … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Statement of the Christian Group on Migration on the arrival of refugees from Ukraine

The Christian Group on Migration, composed of organisations representing Churches throughout Europe, as well as Christian agencies particularly concerned with migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, releases on Thursday 24 March 2022 a statement welcoming the warm EU-wide support to refugees from Ukraine and appeals to EU Member States to broadly implement the Temporary Protection Directive. The document includes “important steps to be taken at policy and … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

War in Ukraine: Response of the Moscow Patriarchate to the COMECE letter 

Following the letter addressed to Moscow Patriarch Kirill from H. Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, earlier in March 2022, we share the response provided by H. Em. Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate department for external church relations. Click here to read or download the letter (RU – EN)

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Press Release

European Catholic Social Days: “we have walked together, we have been in a real process of synodality”

“In Bratislava we have been in a real process of synodality. It is by continuing to walk together that we shall see where the spirit of God is leading us”, stated Cardinal Hollerich at the conclusion of the European Catholic Social Days on Sunday 20 March 2022. The next edition will be held in 2027. After three days of intense debate on the challenges posed … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Press Release

European Catholic Social Days on technological & ecological transitions

The second day of the European Catholic Social Days, Saturday 19 March 2022, was devoted to the theme of digital and ecological transition processes. “Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in “lifestyles, models of production and consumption”. H.E. Mgr. Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, delivered the first keynote speech of the day, addressing participants on new … Continue reading »