Category Archives: Press

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 »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Beirut explosion, Cardinal Hollerich expresses COMECE’s solidarity with the Lebanese people

On behalf of all Bishops of the European Union, H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, reacted to the deadly explosion occurred yesterday, Tuesday 4 August 2020, in the port of the capital city of Lebanon. Read the full statement. “I share the shock and the sadness of the people of Beirut following the horrific and deadly explosions that occurred yesterday, Tuesday 4 August … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

A sustained ethical discourse has to accompany discussions on regulating AI

In its contribution to the ‘Consultation on the White Paper on Artificial Intelligence – A European Approach’, COMECE calls the EU institutions to adopt a human-centric approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to promote the common good and serve the lives of all human beings both in their personal and community dimensions. The COMECE contribution, published on 14 June 2020, welcomes the White Paper’s … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE regrets decision over Hagia Sophia, “a blow to interreligious dialogue”

“Converting Hagia Sophia into a mosque distances Turkey from Europe and it is a blow to the Orthodox Church and to interreligious dialogue”, stated Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, on Friday 10 July 2020 commenting the decision of Turkey’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, to allow the change in status of World Heritage Monument Hagia Sophia from a museum to … Continue reading »