Category Archives: Press

Press

Press Release

Former COMECE Vice-President Mgr. Yanes dies in Zaragoza

Archbishop Emeritus of Zaragoza, Mgr. Elías Yanes Álvarez, died on Friday 9th of March 2018 at the age of 90. Mgr. Yanes Álvarez saw the foundation of COMECE in 1980 and from then on he served as delegate of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference until 2005. In 1993 he was elected Vice-President of COMECE and re-elected for a second mandate until 1999. The funeral took place … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

NEWS

COMECE organises an event on Digitalisation and Civic Engagement

Volunteering and social/civic engagement are fundaments of democratic societies. They strengthen social cohesion but deeply depend on the free time at disposal of the citizens. If the free time that could be invested for such important social activities will be scarcer, will Hashtag activism replace the ‘traditional’ ways of social and civic commitment? Will digitalisation undermine or facilitate civic engagement? And if the lack of … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE President expresses deep concern about criminalisation of circumcision

COMECE President Cardinal Reinhard Marx reacts to the ban on the circumcision on boys proposed in Iceland by members of the Parliament from five different political parties. “The proposed bill is a dangerous attack on freedom of religion”, states the Cardinal, urging the EU institutions to take action in order to prevent such a threat to fundamental rights. The bill suggests up to a six-year … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

DRC, calling on all actors to achieve peace and democracy

Six people were killed in Kinshasa on 21 January during demonstrations against delayed elections and the continuation of President Kabila’s mandate. Other 57 people were injured, and 111 were arrested across the country. According to the United Nations (UN), most of the victims were Catholic faithful who peacefully protested after attending Sunday Masses. Pope Francis appealed to authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) … Continue reading »

Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE Conference on “Promoting the Christian Heritage of Europe”

COMECE organised a conference on 31 of January in Brussels on the theme of “Promoting the Christian Heritage of Europe” as a contribution to the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. “The Church has a spiritual dimension but it is also a key actor in developing culture – said Fr. Poquillon op, COMECE General Secretary. It is the oldest structure still existing in Europe based … Continue reading »

Press

NEWS

COMECE received the General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU

The General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU gathered today at COMECE in order to exchange on EU key topics, which are of specific interest of Churches in the European Union, as well as for the around 60% of EU citizens that the Catholic Church gathers. The General Secretaries exchanged on practical and technical questions within the field of competence of COMECE. The … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Pope Francis calls on tackling fake news

Pope Francis released a message condemning “fake news”, saying that it’s a “sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes, and leads only to the spread of arrogance and hatred”. In his message for the World Communications Day, the Holy Father highlighted the importance of Communication as “part of God’s plan for us and an essential way to experience fellowship”. He warned all media operators about the … Continue reading »

Education & Culture, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

COMECE conference in the European Year of Cultural Heritage. “Promoting the Christian Heritage of Europe”

Following the designation of 2018 as European Year of Cultural Heritage by the EU, COMECE organises the conference “Promoting the Christian Heritage of Europe”. The event will take place at COMECE Secretariat on Wednesday 31st of January 2018 from 9:30 to 16:30. The European Year of Cultural Heritage is a very positive initiative for Europe and it could represent an opportunity for the Church to … Continue reading »

Press

NEWS

Peter Sutherland, former EU Commissioner, dies at 71

Peter Sutherland died in Dublin on Sunday 7 January 2018 at the age of 71. Former EU-Commissioner and Director of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mr. Sutherland was a good and close friend of COMECE since his time in Brussels working for the European Commission. He was a member of the COMECE ad-hoc Working Group on Global Governance from 2001-2005. He was also part of … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

World Day of Peace: Migration as an opportunity to build peace

In his Message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Francis encouraged to offer «refugees, migrants and victims of human trafficking an opportunity to find the peace they seek». The Holy Father also underlined that political leaders should «by practising the virtue of prudence, […] take practical measures to welcome, promote, protect and integrate» men and women, children, young and elderly people searching for peace. … Continue reading »