The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
The Secretariat of COMECE takes note of the recent decision of the European Commission to deal with tax optimization for multinational companies in terms of competition policy. The COMECE Secretariat will closely monitor the implementation of this approach in all Member States. In a context of growing poverty in Europe, many citizens regard practices that enable multinational companies to pay little or no tax on … Continue reading
Brother Olivier Poquillon OP commences his work as General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) this Thursday, 1 September. Brother Olivier Poquillon OP was born in Paris in 1966. After studies in international law, he entered the novitiate of the Dominicans in 1994 and was ordained priest in 2001. Among other assignments, he served as an expert of the … Continue reading
Statement of COMECE President Cardinal Reinhard Marx on the attack in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, France (26 July 2016): “The assassination in the French Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray is shocking. The faithful who had gathered for worship in a church became victims of a terrible act of violence. The intention of this act was to stir up hatred between religions. We will resist and will not let ourselves be led into … Continue reading
Statement of the President of COMECE, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, following the terror attack in Nice: “Last night, France has again been hit by a terrorist attack. More than 80 people were killed. We are shocked and saddened by this act of war. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their relatives and friends. I remain convinced that European civilization and the culture of freedom, … Continue reading
On Tuesday morning in Bratislava a delegation led by Slovakia’s State Secretary for European Affairs Ivan Korčok received representatives from the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE). The meeting between the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union and church representatives focused on the state of the European Union following the so-called … Continue reading
The Mass will be presided by Bishop Jozef De Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and concelebrated by Mgr Jozef Hal’ko, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bratislava together with Mgr Jean Kockerols, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels, vice-president of COMECE. The Mass for Europe is organised by the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) in partnership with the Diocese of Malines-Brussels … Continue reading
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini presented yesterday to the European leaders at their Summit in Brussels the new Global Strategy for the EU´s Foreign and Security Policy. COMECE, who actively participated in the reflection process, welcomes the document and hopes for its proper and effective implementation. Despite a packed crisis agenda at the EU Summit, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini presented yesterday to the European … Continue reading
Statement by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, President of COMECE following the referendum in the United Kingdom: “Last Thursday, the majority of British voters cast their votes in a referendum in favour of a withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. This decision of the British voters should of course be respected, even if we, as COMECE, find it extremely regrettable. The European Union is … Continue reading
US and EU Bishops present their common position on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) prior to the 14th round of negotiations. For the first time in their history, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) and the United States’ Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) publish a common position on a political theme, which is of primary importance for citizens … Continue reading
War in Syria, Iraq and Libya, conflict in Eastern Ukraine, terrorism and hybrid threats: in recent months, an arc of instability has surrounded the European Union and violent attacks even hit its core. It is to be hoped that this 28-29 June, the EU will reshape the strategic guidance for its Foreign & Security Policy. In a report published today, COMECE Bishops make 22 policy … Continue reading