Category Archives: Press

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

Mass for Europe cancelled due to new Covid-19 measures in Brussels

In consideration of the sanitary measures recently adopted by the authorities of the Brussels Region to prevent the further spread of Covid-19, we regret to inform you that the Mass for Europe is cancelled. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) cancels the Mass for Europe scheduled for Wednesday 28 October 2020 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary since its … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Invitation

40 years of COMECE – COMECE invites you to participate in the Mass for Europe

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of COMECE, we warmly invite you to participate in the Mass for Europe, to be celebrated at the Église Saint-Dominique, Brussels, on Wednesday 28 October 2020 at 19h00. The Mass will be presided by H. Em. Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Francis. Cardinal Parolin will be in Brussels to participate in the 2020 … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE on Covid-19 vaccines: “vulnerable people and health workers should come first”

“Future Covid-19 vaccines should be available, affordable and accessible, especially for elderly people, ill persons and health workers”. This is one of the messages sent to the EU and its Member States by the Assembly of the COMECE Working Group on Ethics, which gathered in video conference on Thursday 1 October 2020 to exchange on the “Ethical challenges of Europe in times of the Covid-19 … Continue reading »

Press

NEWS

‘Fratelli tutti’, an invaluable tool to assess EU policies

“Pope Francis invites all of us, people and institutions, to give our own contribution to build a better, just and peaceful post-Covid19 world with more fraternity and social friendship”, states Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, commenting ‘Fratelli tutti’, Pope Francis’ third Encyclical Letter signed on Saturday 3 October 2020 on the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi. On the feast of St. … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Statement of the Secretary General of COMECE on the eve of the EU Anti-Trafficking Day

Trafficking in persons and other contemporary forms of enslavement are a worldwide problem that needs to be taken seriously by the international community. It represents one of the most dramatic manifestations of the commercialization of the other, a crime that disfigures both the victims as well as those who carry it out, and a source of shame for humanitythat our authorities and societies must no … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE EU External Relations Commission – Which priorities for the [post-]COVID-19 EU External Action?

The COMECE Commission on the EU External Relations gathered online on 29 September 2020 to discuss the most pressing issues for EU’s Foreign and Security Policy. In dialogue with EU and Church representatives, the Commission highlighted the important role the EU could play in leading global efforts for reinvigorating multilateralism. Under the chairmanship of H.E. Mgr. Rimantas Norvila (Lithuania), the experts delegated by the Bishops’ … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

World Day of Migrants and Refugees – EU Bishops: “Let’s welcome migrants with humanity”

“Let’s welcome migrants with humanity, fraternity and solidarity. Let’s give them a place at our table”, states H. Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, on the eve of the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated on Sunday 27 September 2020. In the context of the dramatic events occurring in different areas of the world regarding forced movements of … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

EU Pact on Migration: COMECE calls for concrete solidarity and generosity

Following the adoption of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum proposed by the European Commission on Wednesday 23 September 2020, the Bishops of the European Union encourage the EU and its Member States to act in concrete solidarity and responsibility towards migrants and refugees. Considering the dysfunctionalities of the current migration and asylum systems and the dramatic situations that have recently affected many … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Event on the Future EU-Africa partnership: What is the role of local communities in fostering human security and resilience?

COMECE and its partners invite you to participate in the webinar “Fostering human security and resilience in the future EU-Africa partnership – The role of local communities” on Thursday 15 October 2020 at 11h00 CEST. The event is organised as a faith-based contribution to a future fair and people-centered partnership between the EU and the African Union. Policy-makers, Church representatives and stakeholders from the EU … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Moria fires, COMECE urges action to protect asylum seekers

In the context of the tragedy occurred in the Moria camp (Lesvos) on Tuesday 8 September 2020, the Bishops of the European Union urge the EU institutions and all Member States to act more swiftly and firmly to finally make the relocation of asylum seekers from the Greek islands a reality. Card. Hollerich: “we need to enhance the common EU asylum policy”. Approximately 13,000 people, … Continue reading »