Category Archives: Press

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Nagorno-Karabakh, EU Bishops appeal for intensifying multilateral peace efforts

COMECE calls on the European Union to actively engage for peace in the Nagorno Karabakh region and provide concrete assistance to communities affected by recent flare-up of violence between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Since the end of September 2020, the Nagorno Karabakh has been repeatedly experiencing renewed waves of violence, leading to the loss of lives of many civilians and to the destruction of homes, basic infrustructures and … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

COMECE Autumn Assembly 2020 – Cardinal Parolin on the Covid-19 recovery: “the Church in the frontline for a fairer and more solidary Europe”

“The Church will be in the frontline during the long and difficult process of recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic”, stated Cardinal Parolin addressing the Bishops of the European Union at the COMECE Autumn Assembly held on 28-29 October 2020. Cardinal Hollerich on the EU: “a unifying presence of coordination and support for the Member States, but work must continue”. In the context … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

COMECE Assembly to gather with Cardinal Parolin in light of Pope’s recent message on Europe

“I dream of a Europe that is a family and a community, a Europe that is a friend to each and all, a Europe that is inclusive and generous. Europe, find yourself! Be yourself!”, writes Pope Francis on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of COMECE and on the eve of the Assembly of EU Bishops which is starting today. On the occasion of the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Churches-EU Dialogue: Ecumenical delegation meets online with German EU Presidency

An ecumenical delegation of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) had an online meeting on Tuesday 27 October 2020 with Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office, to exchange on the priorities of the German Presidency of the Council of the … Continue reading »

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 »