Category Archives: Press

Press

Press Release

COMECE-CCEE Presidencies: “let’s work all together for a recovery that leaves no one behind”

The annual COMECE-CCEE Presidencies meeting was held on Wednesday, 3 June 2020 with a special focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the day-to-day life in the Church and European societies, as well as on the Catholic Church’s contribution to “a just recovery that leaves no-one behind”. At the centre of the debate was the situation of the Church in Europe, together with … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Future Eastern Partnership: COMECE supports a people-centred focus

In view of the June 2020 Eastern Partnership Summit, the EU presented a new set of long-term policy objectives for the relations with its six Eastern neighbours. COMECE commends the prioritisation of people-centred resilience in the new proposal. With the current Eastern Partnership (EaP) framework expiring at the end of 2020, the European Commission and the European External Action Service have recently proposed to focus … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Third Laudato Si’ Reflection Day: “Laudato Si’ for a just recovery”

Five years after the publication of Pope Francis’ Encyclical letter on the “care for our common home”, representatives of European Bishops’ Conferences, as well as Catholic organisations and movements, held in Brussels the Third European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day on Thursday 28 May 2020. Leading economist Mariana Mazzucato, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development of the Vatican Monsignor Bruno-Marie Duffé and … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Press Release

The COMECE Social Affairs Commission releases statement on proposed EU recovery plan

In the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic and its dramatic effects on all EU Member States, on Thursday 28 May 2020 the COMECE Social Affairs Commission releases the statement “Let Europe recover through justice”, giving the contribution of the Catholic Church to the proposed EU recovery plan. Mgr. Hérouard: “The EU has the opportunity to take an important step forward in asserting and expressing … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Join the 3rd European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day!

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, COMECE and its partners invite you to participate in the third European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day on Thursday 28th May 2020, from 15h00 to 17h00. The event will be held as a webinar due to the current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2. The theme of this year’s event is “How the Encyclical Laudato … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE calls the international community to stop the persecution of Christians in Nigeria

In the context of the growing persecution against Christian communities in Nigeria, COMECE calls the EU, its Member States, as well as the entire international community, to increase their efforts to stop the violence in the African country, bring the criminals to justice, support the victims and promote dialogue and peace. According to recent statistics, some 6,000 Nigerian Christians have been killed since 2015 by, … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Time for the EU to take a stand for the rights of the elderly

Up to half of the people who died of Covid-19 in Europe are elderly people and many of them were residents of long-term care facilities. “It is time to stop the ‘culture of waste’ and focus on more public policies supporting families”, states the General Secretary of COMECE on Wednesday 13 May 2020. In the current pandemic, elderly people represent the most vulnerable part of … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Freedom of religion at stake in the context of fighting against Covid-19

“The reopening of churches must be implemented by civil authorities in dialogue with ecclesial institutions”, states Fr. Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, thereby expressing a widespread feeling within the Church in many EU Member States. “Freedom of religion, including freedom of worship, is a fundamental right and a real necessity for many people – states Fr. Barrios Prieto. “The reopening of churches, in compliance … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

New EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy: a stronger Europe in the world?

COMECE welcomes the EU’s priority actions proposed for the next five years in the global promotion of human rights and democracy, and calls on the EU institutions to increase their ambition in the protection of religious freedom and in the area of business & human rights. Elaborated by the European Commission and the European External Action Service, the EU draft policy document follows the expiration … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE calls the EU and its Member States for a common response to forced migration

“The pandemic should not be an excuse to let human beings die in the Mediterranean Sea”, states COMECE General Secretary Fr. Barrios Prieto. Referring to the many migrants who were not promptly and safely disembarked at the closest EU port over the last days, COMECE calls for “a predictable solidarity mechanism agreed among EU member states”. COMECE shares the concerns recently expressed by the Maltese … Continue reading »