Category Archives: Press

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Invitation

Work-Life-Balance 4.0 – Challenges in a Time of Digitalisation

Digitalisation is changing our society in many ways. New forms of employment are emerging, new professions are being created, others will disappear and our ways of communication is changing. But what does this mean for our private life? What influence does this development have on our everyday life in society and with our family? Tuesday 15 November 2016, 9h00 – 16h00 European Economic and Social … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE: British and Irish Bishops on Brexit

During their Plenary Assembly, the COMECE Bishops had an exchange on the outcome and consequences of the referendum in the United Kingdom. Bishop William Kenney, delegate of the England and Wales Bishops’ Conference, explained that since the outcome of the Brexit referendum ‘there is very little clarity as to what is going to happen or what consequences will ensue.’ He said he believes the Church … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

COMECE 2016 Autumn Plenary Assembly: The plight of Europe’s poor

119 millions Europeans, almost a quarter of the European population, are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The plight of Europe’s poor was the main topic of the plenary session of the Bishops of COMECE on 26-28 October in Brussels. During this meeting, the bishops representing the Catholic Church in the 28 EU member states dialogued with Caritas Europe, the humanitarian arm of the … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

NEWS

COMECE Autumn 2016 Plenary Assembly: “Looking forward with confidence”

In his opening speech to the COMECE Autumn Plenary Assembly, the President of COMECE, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, said that the Church wanted to make a contribution to help the European Union to overcome the multiple crises it faces: ‘In this existential crisis of the EU, COMECE is more important than ever’. Regarding the consequences of the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the EU, … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Migrants: from fear to compassion

Mass migration prompted by global conflict and ecological crises has stirred up unresolved fears in European societies. Understanding and responding to this was the central theme of a dialogue seminar that took place on 24 October between churches and the European Commission. Participants in the seminar identified two widely experienced types of fear. The first is the fear of rejection, violence, and exclusion many migrants … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

The Plight of Europe’s poor COMECE 2016 Autumn Plenary Assembly

The autumn Plenary Assembly of the 27 Bishops’ Conferences of COMECE will be held in Brussels from 26 to 28 October on the topic ‘The Plight of Europe’s poor & EU Strategies to eliminate poverty’. The COMECE Bishops will meet local associations in Brussels, which provide help to the poor. As in every plenary assembly, experts and EU officials will be invited to exchange with … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Europe’s Security: which responsibilities, which freedom?

This years’ International Workshop and General Assembly of Justice & Peace Europe held under the chairmanship of its President Mgr Jean-Claude Hollerich in Luxembourg explored the challenges of security facing Europe today in dialogue with representatives of politics, the military, EU institutions, civil society and the Church, including the General Secretary of COMECE. In their final declaration, the participants called to “build bridges of justice … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Surrogacy: Council of Europe rejects draft recommendation

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly voted against the adoption of a recommendation on ‘Children’s rights related to surrogacy’, based on a report by Petra De Sutter (Belgium, SOC). The report was recommending to draw up European guidelines to safeguard children’s rights in relation to surrogacy arrangements. Read the COMECE Opinion on ‘Gestational Surrogacy – The question of European and international rules’.