Category Archives: Press

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Press Release

COMECE welcomes European Pillar of Social Rights

The European Commission launched a public consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights. COMECE welcomes this initiative and hopes that the proposed provisions may become a key reference document for the EU and the Member States in the field of economic and social affairs. The initiative shall build upon the EU social acquis and supports the Commission in its work for a deeper and … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Palliative care in Europe: how to care for the most vulnerable?

There is room for a public debate on palliative care across the EU, says COMECE in an Opinion published today. As European society gets older, an increasing number of elderly people require palliative care. The European Commission is currently working on a European framework on Palliative Care. In order to contribute to the discussion around this new Framework, the COMECE Working Group on Ethics in … Continue reading »

Press

Press Release

2015 Elections at COMECE

During their Spring Plenary Assembly, the COMECE Bishops have elected on Friday 4 March two additional Vice-Presidents: Mgr. Czeslaw Kozon, Bishop of Copenhagen (Scandinavia) and member of COMECE since 2007, as well as Mgr. Rimantas Norvila, Bishop of Vilkaviškis (Lithuania) and member of COMECE since 2005. The COMECE Bishops have also nominated a new General Secretary for a three years mandate. Br Olivier Poquillon OP, … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE 2015 Spring Plenary Assembly: “Europe needs to be a constructive actor for peace in the world»

At their Spring Plenary Assembly on 2-4 March in Brussels, the COMECE Bishops dedicated a day to the theme of EU as a peace project. They used this occasion to discuss Peace and Security Policies. After the unification of Europe, which was in itself a project of peace and reconciliation, the Bishops emphasised the vocation of the EU to build peace in the world. In … Continue reading »

Plenary Assembly, Press

Press Release

Europe’s vocation to promote peace in the world COMECE 2016 Spring Plenary Assembly

This spring, the Plenary Assembly of the 27 Member Bishops of COMECE will be held in Brussels. The main theme for this meeting will be “Europe’s vocation to promote peace in the world”. The COMECE Bishops will be briefed by experts on the geopolitical situation at EU’s Eastern and Southern borders and new security challenges. They will also hear a theological and ethical reflection on … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

Evening debate on Preventing and countering radicalisation

It is beyond doubt that radicalisation is one of the increasing challenges for contemporary Europe; it often escalates – especially among youth — into various forms of extremism. It is represented primarily by radicalisation among Muslims and, often in response to this, by a revival of many European traditional forms of radicalism that relate to nationalism and xenophobia. The identity crisis of individuals is listed … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Palliative Care in the EU: COMECE and Hospitality Europe organise a joint luncheon debate on Assisting the elderly

As European society gets older, an increasing number of elderly people require palliative care. The COMECE Working Group on Ethics in Research and Healthcare has produced an Opinion on the subject of palliative care, which will be launched on the occasion of this luncheon debate. Set in the context of on-going discussion at EU level, both within the EU institutions and in wider society, the … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

News

Refugee Crisis: Bishops discuss plan of joint action for Europe

“Facing a crisis with many Faces”: this was the title given to a meeting organised by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) which brought together bishops from the Middle East, southern and western Europe, with Catholic experts from the field, to discuss migration. It was the Bishop of Eisenstadt, Mgr. Agidius Zsifkovics, in his capacity as COMECE co-ordinator on Refugees, … Continue reading »

International Religious Freedom, Policy Areas, Press

News

Tragic fate of Christians and other minorities recognized as Genocide

COMECE welcomes today’s European Parliament’s resolution as a significant step forward in facilitating measures to prevent the on-going incipient genocide against Christians and other minorities. Pope Francis was among the first to use the word “genocide” to describe the systematic, barbarous, lethal attacks on Christian communities and on other vulnerable groups targeted on account of their religious affiliation. On 9 July 2015 the Pope stated: … Continue reading »

Press

News

Cardinal Marx met Commission Vice Presidents Timmermans and Mogherini

The President of COMECE met today in Brussels, Frans Timmermans, first Vice President of the EU Commission, who is in charge of Fundamental rights. They discussed the dialogue between the EU and Churches based on article 17 TFUE as well as the migration crisis in the EU. Cardinal Marx also met Ms Federica Mogherini, Vice President of the Commission and High Representative of the EU … Continue reading »