Category Archives: Press

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

Press Release

The official website for the second series of European Catholic Social Days is online

Today has seen the launch of the official bi-lingual (English-Spanish) website www.catholicdays.eu for the second series of European Catholic Social Days (Madrid, Spain, 18-21 September 2014) on the theme “The Christian faith and the future of Europe’. 150 delegates from the Bishops’ Conferences and church bodies throughout the continent will gather in Madrid to reflect on the Church’s mission in contemporary society and link the … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

News

Towards a Europe of greater fraternity and solidarity

Europe is a community of life and destiny. Facing the social crisis, Christians have all the tools at their disposal to fashion a Europe of greater fraternity and solidarity that puts people at the heart of its project. The current crisis offers Christians an opportunity to engage in innovative and decided ways for a Europe of solidarity and peace. This is the feeling that emerges … Continue reading »

Press

Press Release

Cardinal Marx welcomes the announcement of Pope Francis’ visit to the European Parliament

Today it was announced by the European Parliament that Pope Francis has accepted the invitation of President Martin Schulz to address the European Parliament during its plenary assembly in Strasbourg on 25 November 2014. The President of COMECE, His Eminence Reinhard Cardinal Marx, enthusiastically welcomed this news and has issued the following statement: “It makes me very glad to hear today that Pope Francis, in … Continue reading »

Press

News

Cardinal Marx: “To regain confidence takes concrete solutions”

At the 10th Summit of religious leaders of various religions and denominations, Cardinal Reinhard Marx led the delegation of the Catholic Church, which comprised Jean-Pierre Grallet, Archbishop of Strasbourg and COMECE member, and Professor Margaret S. Archer, head of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. The hosts of this meeting at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels were the Presidents of the European Commission and … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

COMECE Secretariat regrets EU Commission’s decision on the ‘One of Us’ citizens’ initiative

The European Commission decided on 28 May not to submit any legislative proposal as a reply to the European Citizens Initiative ‘One of Us’. This initiative asked for the ending of the EU financing of activities which presuppose the destruction of human embryos, in particular in the areas of research (projects making use of human embryonic stem cells – hESC) and development cooperation (abortion, either … Continue reading »

Press

News

Cardinal Marx congratulates Herman Van Rompuy on being awarded the Charlemagne Prize: “An exemplary passion for Europe”

The President of the German Bishops’ Conference and President of COMECE, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, has congratulated the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy on being awarded this year’s Charlemagne Prize. Mr Van Rompuy received the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen today. In a letter to Mr Van Rompuy, Cardinal Marx called the winner of the 2014 Charlemagne Prize as a true mediator of the … Continue reading »

Press

News

Cardinal Marx : “Globalisation: the challenge for us as Europeans”

In an interview given to the French daily newspaper la Croix the President of COMECE, Reinhard Cardinal Marx, shared his view of the role Christians should play in the process of European construction. “It is essential in today’s pluralist Europe, that we be in touch with our roots and that the voice of religion should continue to be heard. We have the duty to announce … Continue reading »

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News

The 2004 EU-Enlargement – a true reunification of Europe

“Ten years down the road from Eastwards enlargement of the EU, we still need to work to draw the different parts of Europe together”, so declares COMECE President Reinhard Cardinal Marx on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Eastern Enlargement of the European Union on 1 May 2004. When the European Union underwent the biggest enlargement in its history on 1 May 2004, many … Continue reading »

Press

Invitation

EU elections: A discussion with Cardinal Marx and the presentation of the COMECE election statement

The next European elections are vital for our democracy: all citizens are called upon to cast their vote next 22-25 May to select the future European Parliament for 2014-2019. The outcome will greatly determine the direction taken by the EU for the next half decade and will have major implications for the people of Europe. The severe economic and social crisis is fuelling nationalism and … Continue reading »

Press

Press Release

COMECE Statement on the European Elections 2014

The Catholic Bishops of Europe publish today a Statement in view of the upcoming European elections. In this text, they reaffirm their support for the European project. They encourage all citizens of the European Union to go to the polling booths on the 22nd and 25th May, and to start engaging, during the run-up to the election, in constructive dialogue with their MEP’s and those … Continue reading »