The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
The shipwreck, in which over three hundred migrants lost their lives in a vain attempt to reach the island of Lampedusa on 3 October last, made migration a banner headline issue in most European countries. It captured our hearts but it also focused our minds on the plight of migrants and how we were treating them. Yet it is sobering to remember that upwards of … Continue reading
Europe is a continent on the move. Internal migration and migration from outside, not least in pursuit of political asylum, has impacted on the lives of all communities within all Member States and communities of the EU. The Church is deeply concerned for the situation of refugees and asylum seekers, especially after the tragedy off Lampedusa. ‘Migration and Integration’ will be the main topic of … Continue reading
In the context of the Vote today at the European Parliament of an own initiative Report on “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” which includes abortion, COMECE recalls that the EU has no competence in regard to this matter. EU citizens should not be misled. Article 168 § 7of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU states that the ‘‘Union action shall respect the … Continue reading
In light of the IPCC’s 5th Assessment report, and in advance of the Warsaw Climate Change Conference, a one day seminar entitled “Environmental protection and climate change as a challenge for policies – the role of ethics, lifestyles, solidarity and global justice” has concluded. Organised jointly by the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Commission of the Episcopates … Continue reading
In a meeting today with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, COMECE President, expressed his deep concern for the situation of refugees and asylum seekers, especially after the tragedy off Lampedusa, where an estimated 280 people died whilst attempting to reach the shores of Europe. In the light of this tragedy, Cardinal Marx has urged the Europeans to act: … Continue reading
In an Opinion published today, the COMECE Reflection Group on Bioethics, while welcoming the ongoing revision of European legislation on Medical Devices, warns against some ethical shortcomings and proposes improvements to Proposals which will be voted in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament on 18 September. There are currently around half a million medical devices (MDs) on the market … Continue reading
Young people have great expectations where the EU decisions makers are concerned, especially after the promises of the 28 EU Heads of States to put together an EU youth employment package. But is this a reliable long term solution to youth unemployment? Young people want the EU to tackle unemployment and education not FOR them but WITH them because they see themselves as the solution … Continue reading
Today marks the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Robert Schuman. A great deal of history has been made in Europe in the half century since his death. The peace between nation states which had so frequently been enemies, the prosperity enjoyed by an unprecedented number of ordinary citizens, and the constructive and co-operative way in which politics are done within the European family of … Continue reading
Press 25/06/2013: COMECE welcomes the adoption today by the Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU of New “EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief“. This new instrument provides the staff in the EEAS (External Action service), EU Delegations, Representations and Embassies with an operational set of tools to be used in relations with third-countries. It is designed … Continue reading
EU citizenship is an issue central to our European identity and promises to feature prominently in the debates preceding the 2014 European Parliamentary elections. In the context of the European Year of Citizens 2013, the EU Commission has sought the views of the Churches on this theme in the frame of the Dialogue Seminar on 20 June. From the perspective of the EU Commission, Ms … Continue reading