Category Archives: Press

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference Cardinal Bassetti’s official visit to the EU

A delegation led by H. Em. Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), will come to Brussels on 22-25 April 2018 in order to exchange with high-level officials on the realities of the EU from the perspective of the Italian Church. Cardinal Bassetti’s visit shows the European dimension of the Italian Church, strongly committed to face current challenges and work for the … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Criminalisation of circumcision: putting the fundamental rights’ system at risk!

“Criminalising male circumcision might endanger the whole system of fundamental rights, as well as the Rule of Law”, stated COMECE General Secretary fr. Olivier Poquillon op during the conference on “Religious rituals and fundamental rights” held last Tuesday 10th of April 2018 at the European Parliament. The event is a reaction to the legislative initiatives proposed in Iceland and Denmark in order to criminalise circumcision … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE takes a stand on “Fake News”

In continuity with Pope Francis’ recent condemnation of fake news as a tool to isolate, divide, and oppose people, and ultimately to hinder dialogue, COMECE participated to the Public consultation on fake news and online disinformation carried out by the European Commission with the aim of developing an effective strategy tackling the phenomenon. “Spreading fake news – the Pope said during the World Communications Day … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE Legal Affairs Commission: update on data protection and non-discrimination

The COMECE Legal Affairs Commission – an instrument of exchange among national Church experts and dialogue with the EU institutions – gathered on March 20th 2018 under the Presidency of Mgr. Hoogenboom to debate on number of topics relevant to the status of Churches in the Member States (Article 17(1) TFEU). In this context, participants also exchanged on case law – at the EU Court … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

EP Conference on “Religious rituals and fundamental rights”

Following the latest developments concerning circumcision and kosher meat processing across Europe, COMECE, together with the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) and other partners, co-organises the Conference on “Religious Rituals and Fundamental Rights”. The event will take place in the European Parliament (Room A5H-1) on April 10th, 2018, from 16h00 to 18h00, and will be hosted by the EPP Group Interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Speakers … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

NEWS

COMECE contribution in view of the next Multiannual financial framework

COMECE contributed to five public consultations launched by the EU Commission in preparation of the Multiannual financial framework post 2020. COMECE contributions vary in nature and topic but highlight two major ideas. First, to ensure a fair, simplified and non-discriminatory access to EU funding for all actors working for the Common Good. Among them including Churches and religious communities are important societal actors in areas … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

NEWS

European Labour “Authority”, a new agency to strengthen the rights of workers

COMECE welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to propose a European Labour “Authority” to strengthen the rights of almost 17 million European citizens working in another EU country. COMECE encourages the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to swiftly review the proposal allowing the institution to start working before the 2019 European elections. A European Labour “Authority” could play an important role. … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J. elected new President of COMECE

His Excellency Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg, has been elected today President of COMECE by the Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union for a 5 years mandate. In the same election, four Vice-Presidents were also elected: Mgr. Noel Treanor (Ireland), Mgr. Mariano Crociata (Italy), Mgr. Jan Vokal (Czech Republic), Franz-Josef Overbeck (Germany). Mgr. Hollerich succeeds to H. Em. Cardinal Reinhard … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

European Bishops to elect new President of COMECE

Delegates of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will gather in Brussels on 7-9 March 2018 in order to participate to the 2018 COMECE Spring Plenary Assembly. They will elect a new President and four Vice-Presidents. The EU Bishops will elect the new President of COMECE for a mandate of five-years covering the period 2018-2023. The future President will succeed to H. Em. Cardinal … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Invitation

COMECE cordially invites you to participate to the Mass for Europe

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On the occasion of the start of the new Presidency of COMECE and at the invitation of H.Em. Cardinal Jozef De Kesel (Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels) COMECE cordially invites you to participate to the Mass for Europe at the church of Notre-Dame du Sablon, Brussels, on Thursday 8 March, 2018 at 19:00. The Mass will be presided by H. Em. Cardinal Reinhard Marx (Archbishop of Munich … Continue reading »