Category Archives: Press

Press Release

“French-German reconciliation gave a positive dynamic to Europe”

With these words Cardinal Reinhard Marx, COMECE President, praised the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Elysée Treaty. ‘The Elysée Treaty laid down the foundations for French German reconciliation and friendship. Many encounters resulted from it, ranging in level from Ministers to civil society. We should not forget that reconciliation always starts with a personal encounter. This is what we have learnt from Adenauer … Continue reading »

Press Release

Catholic Bishops of the European Union call for Unity

‘We have united for the better’. This sentence from the Berlin Declaration of March 2007 was recalled by Cardinal Marx, COMECE President, on the occasion of the opening event of the Autumn Plenary Assembly of the COMECE bishops, which took place from 21 to 23 November in Brussels. In his Speech dedicated to the ‘Current Challenges for the EU and the Contribution of Christians’, Cardinal … Continue reading »

Press Release

Austrian Bishops meet in Brussels in a clear sign of support for Europe

For the first time ever, a meeting of a national Bishops’ Conference took place in Brussels. Under the Chairmanship of Cardinal Schönborn, the Plenary Assembly of the Austrian Bishops gathered together from 5 to 8 November in the COMECE premises to deliver a clear sign of support for Europe. “Europe needs Solidarity from all quarters “ explained Cardinal Schönborn. “As COMECE President, I am glad … Continue reading »

Press Release

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the European Union: “The significance of the EU in times of crisis has been recognised”

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and Archbishop of Munich and Freising, welcomed with joy the news that the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the European Union on the 12 October 2012: “I’m extremely glad that, especially in these times of crisis, the EU is honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize” stated … Continue reading »

News

EU Public Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Research, Economic Crisis and Data protection discussed with the Cyprus EU Presidency

A delegation of Cypriot and European Church representatives was received by the Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs Andreas D. Mavroyiannis on 6 October in the Presidential Palace in Nicosia as part of the series of regular encounters between Churches and EU Presidencies. They had an exchange of views concerning a series of topics related to the agenda of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council … Continue reading »

News

COMECE welcomes today’s announcement of the Nobel Prize for Medicine for research on alternatives to embryonic stem cells research

In contrast, there have been continuing scientific advances in fields of research involving alternative stem cells (adult, derived from umbilical cord or induced pluripotent) which present better prospects for clinical applications; or have indeed already demonstrated widespread clinical results (and do not raise any special ethical problems). Today’s Nobel Prize rewards such efforts to discover alternatives to hESC in mature, specialised cells that once reprogrammed … Continue reading »

News

Discrimination of Christians in Europe: freedom of religion must also be ensured for Christians

On 2 October, with the participation of several high-level speakers form various countries, the EPP Group, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), and the ECR Group organised a half-day seminar in the European Parliament dedicated to assessing the current situation of Christians and freedom of religion in Europe. Speakers agreed that significant efforts are required to eliminate discriminatory actions against … Continue reading »

Event

Seminar on Discrimination of Christians in Europe

For the second consecutive year, COMECE organises a half-day Seminar on Intolerance and Discrimination of Christians in Europe in cooperation with the Group of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR Group) and the Group of the European People’s Party (EPP Group) in the European Parliament. Tuesday, 2nd October 9.30 – 13.00 Room JAN 6Q2 European Parliament, Brussels Interpretation : FR, DE, ES, EN, IT, PL This … Continue reading »

News

Horizon 2020: The new ethical framework proposed is weaker than the current one

In Autumn this year the ITRE Committee (Industry, Research and Energy) of the European Parliament will vote the package of proposals for Horizon 2020, the EU’s new programme for research and innovation running from 2014 to 2020 with an €87 billion budget. Some major ethical problems remain and it appears that on many aspects the new framework is even weaker than the current one. In … Continue reading »

News

Intergenerational Solidarity deserves full support by the EU and Member States in order to overcome the economic and demographic crises

Intergenerational Solidarity was at the heart of this year’s annual summit meeting of European Faith leaders with the Presidents of the EU Institutions. This was the eighth such high-level meeting which took place at the invitation of President José Manuel Barroso and was co-chaired by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and László Surján, Vice-President of the European Parliament. The European Commission maintains … Continue reading »