Category Archives: Press

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

COMECE Assembly “Autumn 2018”. Commemorating WWI, EU Bishops pray for Peace in Ypres

European Bishops commemorated all victims of the First World War in a major event held today, 24 October 2018, in the city of Ypres (Belgium) in the context of the COMECE Assembly “Autumn 2018” dedicated to the upcoming European elections. On the occasion of the centenary of the end of World War I, COMECE bishops urged all persons of good will to work together in … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE Commission on the External Relations of the EU

The COMECE Commission on the External Relations of the EU gathered on 9-10 October 2018 under the presidency of Mgr. Rimantas Norvila (Lithuania). It exchanged with EU officials on the challenges and opportunities for the EU External Action in the fields of Peace and Security, EU Southern Neighbourhood and Trade policy. Distinguished representatives of the European institutions, including Stefano Grassi and Gilles Bertrand (EU External … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Colombian Church delegation: “the EU contribution strengthened the legitimacy of the peace process”

The president of the Colombian Catholic Bishops’ Conference officially met with high-level EU officials on 10-11 October 2018 and exchanged views on the ongoing peace process in Colombia addressing the next steps towards the reconciliation of the country. Following the Colombian elections and in view of the ongoing implementation of the peace agreement, COMECE, together with CIDSE, Caritas Germany, Brot für die Welt and Diakonie … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Migration, addressing its root causes while protecting migrants

During the international conference on “Religious freedom and development cooperation to reduce the causes for migration” on 17 September 2018, COMECE stressed the primary right of every human person to live in dignity in his home country without being forced to move. Participants debated the ways to address the root causes of migration through the European development cooperation, which, emphasised COMECE, “should neither be based … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Colombian Church delegation to visit Brussels to exchange on peace process

The presidency of the Colombian Catholic Bishops’ Conference will officially visit Brussels on 10-11 October 2018 to exchange with high-level EU officials on the current situation in Colombia. A press point will be held at COMECE on 11 October 2018 at 15:00. Following the Colombian elections and in view of the ongoing implementation of the peace agreement, COMECE, together with CIDSE, Caritas Germany, Brot für … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE contribution to the 2018 Fundamental Rights Forum

In the Fundamental Rights Forum organised by EU Agency for Fundamental Rights on the topic of “Belonging”, COMECE emphasised the specific contribution of Churches in the human rights domain. In its contribution to the preparatory consultation and expert meeting, COMECE stressed the close link between “belonging” and the possibility for each human person to live alone and in community in accordance with one’s faith. Referring … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Press

NEWS

Pan-Amazon Church delegation met with EU officials

In preparations for the 2019 Pan-Amazon Synod, a Church delegation from the region met on 20 September 2018 in Brussels with high-level EU officials to promote Amazonia’s indigenous peoples’ dignity and rights. COMECE and its partners organised bilateral meetings and a dialogue event on the current situation in the region, with a particular emphasis on the respective role the Church and the EU could play … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Road Safety, COMECE launches video campaign

On the occasion of the European Day Without A Road Death, Catholic bishops launch a video campaign promoting responsibility on the road in order to reduce the number of accidents in the EU. More than 30,000 people lost their lives on European roads in 2017. Another estimated 100,000 people were seriously injured. These numbers tend to repeat every year, transforming our roads in battle fields … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. COMECE at the Holy See’s high-level Colloquium at the Council of Europe

On September 10th, 2018, COMECE participated in a high-level Colloquium celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights organised by the Holy See at the Council of Europe. Among the contributions of particular note were the ones of Mgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, His Excellency Guido Raimondi, and Prof. Emmanuel Decaux. Read their contributions below:   Media Photo Gallery Video – Introduction by … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Amazonia’s indigenous peoples. How can the EU promote their rights?

Thursday, 20 September 2018, 12.00-14.00 COMECE office, Sq. de Meeûs 19, B-1050 Brussels This event will give you the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with a high-level delegation of the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) and representatives of the European institutions on the current situation of the Amazonian region. The delegation will be composed by H. Em. Cardinal Claudio Hummes (Brazil), H.Em. Cardinal Pedro Barreto … Continue reading »