Category Archives: Press

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

ELSiA invites you to join webinar on LIFE programme

Following up from the Laudato Si’ Reflection Day 2021, the European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA) is organizing an ad hoc webinar to discover more about the LIFE programme, the EU flagship funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The event will take place online Wednesday July 7th 2021, at 14:30 (CEST). Through the webinar you will be able to discover the LIFE programme, which … Continue reading »

Press

Press Release

Card. Hollerich offers condolences on the passing away of former Nuncio to the EU, Archbishop Lebeaupin

It is with great sadness that we learned on Thursday 24 June 2021 about the passing away of Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union from 2013 to 2021. The President of COMECE, Cardinal Hollerich, released a statement remembering Mgr. Lebeaupin’s outstanding professional experience and most valuable counsel. “Msgr Lebeaupin wasn’t only a loyal servant to the Holy See and to the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE on the European Commission’s Digital Services Act package

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in a consultation of the European Commission commenting on the recently proposed regulations on Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) and calling on the EU to make sure that fundamental rights of all people are respected. COMECE welcomed the two proposals for regulations, the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Matić Report: COMECE calls on MEPs to be aware of the importance and complexity of the issue and to vote with responsibility

The Secretariat of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) released a position paper on the ‘Matić Report’ on Thursday 17 June 2021, ahead of its final submission to the upcoming EU Parliament Plenary session. The Catholic Church recognises the importance of protecting the health and rights of women and calls on all MEPs to take into account the sensitive and … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Online event on exposing sexual exploitation of women that targets vulnerable religious communities

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) invites you to join to the event “Targeting vulnerable religious communities through sexual violence and exploitation of women”, to be held online on Wednesday 30thJune 2021 from 11:00 to 12:45 (CEST), together with Aid to the Church in Need (EU office). Jihadist terrorism has shifted the focus of its operations to sub-Saharan and Indian … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Bishops call for a renewed transatlantic partnership ahead of the EU-US Summit

Bishops from both sides of the Atlantic have released on Monday 7 June 2021 a joint declaration towards a renewed transatlantic relationship ahead of the June 2021 EU-US Summit. They encourage European and American policy-makers to work together for a stronger partnership at the service of a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. In view of the upcoming June 2021 EU-US Summit gathering political leaders … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

News

COMECE: “national level is best placed to fight against hate crimes”

In a recent contribution to a public consultation of the European Commission on Fundamental Rights, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) condemns the grave phenomenon of hate crimes and reiterates the Church’s commitment to tackle it with effective policies. The European Commission has consulted stakeholders on the proposal to extend the crimes on which the EU can legislate, including hate … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

EU Bishops address President von der Leyen: “The EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion should have adequate resources”

In a letter addressed to EC President von der Leyen on Wednesday 2 June 2021, the Bishops of the European Union recall the need of strengthening the EU Special Envoy of Freedom of Religion or Belief with institutional and financial support. Card. Hollerich: “reasonable and adequate resources are needed to promote this fundamental right under threat in many parts of the world.” On behalf of … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Assembly of the COMECE Working Group on Ethics. Focus on EU Green Digital Certificate

The Assembly of the COMECE Working Group on Ethics met on Tuesday 18 May 2021 to exchange on the new EU Green Digital Certificate, highlighting the need not to exclude anyone from participating in social life. Members of the COMECE Working Group assessed the EU reactions to the COMECE-FAFCE document “The Elderly and the Future of Europe”, released on December 2020. The group also exchanged views on a new document on Financial Ethics to be published … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Laudato Si’ drives radical change and the path to a just future

On 27 May, more than 100 people from all corners of the world attended the fourth Laudato Si’ Reflection Day, this year held online. Speakers offered inspiring reflections followed by exchanges with the audience on long-term thinking, the role of the Church and local communities, building on the long-lasting impacts of the encyclical Laudato Si’. Participants were welcomed by H.E. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., the … Continue reading »