Category Archives: Press

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Whose Security? Whose Defence?

COMECE participated in a conference on “The European Defence of Europe?” organised by Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations. The objective of the conference was to discuss with EU policy-makers, NATO representatives and academics the strategic questions of European defence cooperation and the development of appropriate capabilities. COMECE supports the view that reinforced security and defence measures can only be considered a partial response … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Youth policies

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Young Catholics discovering EU institutions

COMECE hosted a 4-days-visit of 20 young people from the UK to the EU institutions and to Church organisations. Meeting EU Officials from the European Commission, the European Council and its UK Task Force as well as MEP Jean Lambert. They got the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about the EU and its policies, about burning issues like Brexit and about EU-topics that are of … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Solving migration with countries of origin and transit?

The EU is moving to a migration policy that reinforces its external dimension. After the EU-Turkey “deal” and Partnerships with some African countries, a new agreement between Italy and Libya, endorsed by EU leaders, has been signed last 2 February, to help the UN-backed Libyan government curb migration. In fact, the Central Mediterranean corridor is currently the main entry point for migrants and refugees, especially … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Colombia: from child soldiers to peace-builders

The armed conflict in Colombia has persisted for more than 50 years. The result is: 260.000 people killed and 8 Mio. victims, most of them civilians. Moreover, many children have been forcibly recruited as soldiers and suffered serious physical and psychological harm. The Salesians of Don Bosco are helping them to re-integrate into society. They shared this example of good practice of placing the human … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Justice and Peace Europe: “Nonviolence is the key to peace”

COMECE hosted a Prayer & Breakfast organised by Justice & Peace Europe on the theme of Pope Francis’ Message for the World Day of Peace “Nonviolence: a style of politics for peace”. The event was presided by Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich, the President of Justice&Peace Europe and gathered around 40 participants from the EU institutions, churches and civil society. In his reflection, Mgr. Hollerich recalled that … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE discusses Peace, Trade and Development

Under the chairmanship of the COMECE member Bishop for Luxembourg Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich, the joint COMECE – Justice & Peace Europe commission on the external relations of the EU exchanged with representatives of the EU on the current issues in EU External Action. The meeting agenda included a discussion on security & defence, trade defence instruments, the situation in Ukraine and in the Middle East … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

European Court of Human Rights: a key decision on surrogate motherhood

The Grand Chamber Judgment clarifies that there is no obligation to recognise parental ties if there is no biological link. The European Court reaffirms the State’s exclusive competence to recognise a legal parent-child relationship and the State’s prerogatives in safeguarding its public order. The Judgment of the Grand Chamber in the case of Paradiso and Campanelli v. Italy clarifies that the Italian authorities’ withdrawal of … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

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Migration : UNHCR welcomes moral stand of Bishop Zsifkovics

Migration : UNHCR welcomes moral stand of Bishop Zsifkovics UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency pays tribute to the moral stand of the Bishop of Eisenstadt and COMECE member who, in 2015, “refused to allow a border fence to keep out refugees to be built on church land, and helped to change Austrian government policy on border security.” The Eisenstadt diocese gave temporary shelter to 1,000 … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Mental health in Europe and Christian ethics: An Opinion of the COMECE Working Group on Ethics

In an aging European society, mental health is an increasing concern with strong economic and social impact. Brain disorders affect one in three Europeans and have an estimated cost of €800 billion a year. In order to help Europe to tackle the issue, COMECE publishes its reflexion and proposals. Back in 2008, the European Commission had launched the European Pact for mental health and well … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Churches: “which response to terrorism in Europe?”

“One of the causes of the jihadi Salafism development is the lack of alternative proposals by our society” said Br Olivier Poquillon, Secretary general of COMECE, in his intervention to 5th European Catholic-Orthodox Forum. The European Catholic-Orthodox Forum is an initiative promoted by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) along with the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the accordance of the Orthodox Churches present in Europe. … Continue reading »