Category Archives: Press

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 »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Covid-19, COMECE welcomes EGE call for vigilance of restrictive measures

COMECE welcomes the statement recently released by the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE), calling the EU and its Member States to be vigilant on the “necessity and proportionality of any policy and technological intervention that – taken in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic – suspends, even temporarily, fundamental rights”. Since late February 2020 the EU and its Member States … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Refugees in Europe: human dignity is not in quarantine

COMECE calls EU members states to show generosity in accepting the relocation of asylum seekers from Greek islands, minimising the risk of Covid-19 infection among them and providing adequate health treatment to those already infected. “We are in our homes, afraid. I also think of the most vulnerable: how it must feel for those who are in refugee camps, who have nothing, not even medicine … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

“Light a candle on Easter Eve”: European Bishops call faithful to give a sign of hope

In view of the upcoming Easter Sunday celebrations, H. Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ and H. Em. Card. Angelo Bagnasco, respectively Presidents of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and of the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE), invite all Catholics to spread a message of hope by lighting a candle at their window on Easter eve. “It … Continue reading »