Category Archives: Press

NEWS

COMECE Social Affairs Commission

Work-Life Balance, MFF and Future of work

The COMECE Social Affairs Commission gathered on 21 June 2018 to exchange with EU officials on three current social issues of particular interest for the Church in Europe: the EU Work-life Balance package, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 and the Future of Work. The Commission, chaired by its president Mgr. Antoine Hérouard (France), discussed the state of play on the negotiation of the … Continue reading »

NEWS

Tribute to Cardinal Tauran who died this Friday

It is with great sadness that COMECE became aware of the death of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. In this role, as well as previously at the Secretariat of State, he has put all his energy into promoting dialogue between men and women throughout the world, while respecting the diversity of their culture and religion. On various occasions, COMECE … Continue reading »

NEWS

New Defence Technologies: which legal and ethical implications?

A roundtable debate on “New Defence Technologies” took place at COMECE on June 19th, 2018, to discuss the current developments in this field and reflect on related legal, security and ethical questions. The meeting, organised in the context of the recent proposal of the European Commission on the future European Defence Fund, gathered representatives of the EU, the military, academia and the Church. The 15 … Continue reading »

NEWS

COMECE to publish reflection on “Robotisation of Life”

Following its contribution to a public consultation of the EU Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI), COMECE will publish the reflection “Robotisation of Life” in order to adress the many ethical questions raised by AI’s effects on our societies. The document, to be published in July 2018, will describe and analyse the phenomena through the lenses of the Catholic social teaching. It was elaborated by the … Continue reading »

NEWS

Migration and Asylum: focus on the Dublin Regulation recast

The COMECE Working Group on Migration and Asylum examined the status quo of the negotiations concerning the Dublin Regulation recast, that should be adopted by the Council at the end of June 2018. The event was held last week and gathered experts from Bishops’ conferences, representatives of Catholic organizations and EU and UN officials. Participants also discussed the criminalisation of the humanitarian assistance to irregular … Continue reading »

Press Release

Western Balkans: Mgr. Nemet to visit Brussels

In the context of a renewed momentum for the European integration of the Western Balkans, H.E. Mgr. Dr. Ladislav Nemet SVD (Serbia), President of the International Bishops’ Conference of St. Cyril and Methodius, will come to Brussels on 13-15 June 2018. He will meet with high-level EU officials in order to exchange on the necessary steps that can be taken on the side of the … Continue reading »

Press Release

First Laudato Si’ Reflection Day

The first Laudato Si’ Reflection Day took place in Brussels on 6 June with more than 70 representatives of the European Bishops’ Conferences, Catholic organisations and movements. Together they expressed their support for a sustainable financial system in Europe and the Church. Participants discussed the latest EU initiatives on the matter and shared best practises and ideas in order to strengthen the crucial role the … Continue reading »

Invitation

Western Balkans and the EU: next steps…?

Lunch Debate

Following the recent EU-Western Balkans Summit and in view of the upcoming meeting of the European Council, COMECE and the European Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung invite you to join a discussion entitled “Western Balkans and the EU: next steps…?”. This lunch event will take place at the COMECE Secretariat on Thursday, the 14th of June 2018 from 12:00 to 14:00. Representatives of the Church, youth … Continue reading »

Invitation

“Populism and renationalisation – a test for Europe and its democracies”?

Together with the Catholic Centre for Social Science (KSZ), COMECE co-sponsors a 2-day reflection event “Populism and renationalisation – a test for Europe and its democracies” that will take place in Mönchengladbach, Germany, on 14-15 June 2018. Europe faces challenges that have led to a polarisation of views, undermining cohesion within the EU and shaking our confidence in the resilience of out democracies. This year’s … Continue reading »

Press Release

Vatican, Pope Francis receives COMECE new Presidency

Pope Francis received the newly elected COMECE Standing Committee today 18 May, 2018, in the Vatican City. The audience gave the possibility to Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE, to present to the Holy Father current points of dialogue between Bishops’ Conferences and political authorities of the EU. During a two-days visit to the Vatican, COMECE Standing Committee met several Holy See and European … Continue reading »