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 »

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 »