Category Archives: Press

Plenary Assembly, Press

NEWS

Mass for Europe: On the occasion of the start of the working year of the European Institutions under the Slovak Presidency

On wed 7 September, about 400 participants took part at the church of Notre-Dame au Sablon, Brussels, in the Mass for Europe which was organised by COMECE on the occasion of the resumption of work by the European institutions. The Mass was presided by Bishop Jozef De Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and concelebrated by Mgr Jozef Hal’ko, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bratislava together … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE on the Paris Climate Agreement

Ahead of the expected vote in the European Parliament in October, the Secretariat of COMECE welcomes the ratification by China and the United States of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The ratification by these two states, given their economic weight and their environmental impact, represents a significant step in the right direction. In an appeal addressed to the COP 21 negotiating parties in October … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Reaction of Cardinal Marx on TTIP

Regarding the recent debate around the pursuit of the TTIP negotiations, Cardinal Marx, the President of COMECE, said that “stopping the TTIP negotiations would not solve the current problems. A just global economic order requires common rules. The TTIP could be a way to achieve this goal”. COMECE reminds of the common position adopted last June by the Bishops of the EU and the US. … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Press Release

Decision of the EU Commission on fiscal matters

The Secretariat of COMECE takes note of the recent decision of the European Commission to deal with tax optimization for multinational companies in terms of competition policy. The COMECE Secretariat will closely monitor the implementation of this approach in all Member States. In a context of growing poverty in Europe, many citizens regard practices that enable multinational companies to pay little or no tax on … Continue reading »

Press

Press Release

A new General Secretary for the Bishops of the European Union

Brother Olivier Poquillon OP commences his work as General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) this Thursday, 1 September. Brother Olivier Poquillon OP was born in Paris in 1966. After studies in international law, he entered the novitiate of the Dominicans in 1994 and was ordained priest in 2001. Among other assignments, he served as an expert of the … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Cardinal Marx on the attack on the parish church of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray

Statement of COMECE President Cardinal Reinhard Marx on the attack in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, France (26 July 2016): “The assassination in the French Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray is shocking. The faithful who had gathered for worship in a church became victims of a terrible act of violence. The intention of this act was to stir up hatred between religions. We will resist and will not let ourselves be led into … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Cardinal Marx on the terror attack in Nice

Statement of the President of COMECE, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, following the terror attack in Nice: “Last night, France has again been hit by a terrorist attack. More than 80 people were killed. We are shocked and saddened by this act of war. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their relatives and friends. I remain convinced that European civilization and the culture of freedom, … Continue reading »

Press

Press Release

COMECE and CEC meet with Slovak EU Presidency

On Tuesday morning in Bratislava a delegation led by Slovakia’s State Secretary for European Affairs Ivan Korčok received representatives from the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE). The meeting between the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union and church representatives focused on the state of the European Union following the so-called … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

COMECE cordially invites you to participate in the Mass for Europe

The Mass will be presided by Bishop Jozef De Kesel, Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and concelebrated by Mgr Jozef Hal’ko, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bratislava together with Mgr Jean Kockerols, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels, vice-president of COMECE. The Mass for Europe is organised by the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) in partnership with the Diocese of Malines-Brussels … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE welcomes the new EU Global Strategy

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini presented yesterday to the European leaders at their Summit in Brussels the new Global Strategy for the EU´s Foreign and Security Policy. COMECE, who actively participated in the reflection process, welcomes the document and hopes for its proper and effective implementation. Despite a packed crisis agenda at the EU Summit, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini presented yesterday to the European … Continue reading »