COMECE is sad to announce the death on Monday 15 April of Fr Paul Huot-Pleuroux, who was the first General Secretary of COMECE at its foundation in 1980. He occupied this position until 1989. Priest of the diocese of Besançon (France), Fr Huot-Pleuroux had first been General Secretary of the French Bishops Conference (1971-1977), then Joint Secretary of the Council of European Bishops Conferences (CCEE, … Continue reading »

This Thursday 28 March, COMECE President Reinhard Cardinal Marx sent the following message of support to his Cypriot counterpart Mgr Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronites of Cyprus: “The grave economic crisis, which in recent weeks has been felt especially keenly in Cyprus, is a cause of deep concern within the wider European family. Nonetheless, at this time our thoughts turn particularly to Cyprus, to … Continue reading »

Following the announcement of the resignation of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, COMECE President Cardinal Marx issued the following statement: ‘Today, Pope Benedict XVI has announced his intention to resign on 28 February next. As COMECE President, this decision fills me with great respect but also with huge regret. Benedict XVI has been leading the world Church for eight years with immense dedication and … Continue reading »

On 23 November 2012, on the occasion of their autumn plenary, the bishops of COMECE appointed a new General Secretary, Father Patrick H. Daly, who commenced his work at COMECE on Friday 1 February. On his first working day, he stated: “Together with the team here at the Secretariat, I look forward to serving the Bishops of COMECE, the national conferences they represent, and in … Continue reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »