The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
Rev. Patrick H. Daly, General Secretary of COMECE joins the wider Church Family in welcoming the election of Jorge Maria Cardinal Bergoglio as Pope Francis. ‘Right from the outset, the European project has enjoyed the active support and interest of the new pontif’s predecessors, all of whom closely followed developments within the constellation of nations, which has become the European Union. At this critical time … Continue reading
European economic governance needs to be balanced by a social dimension, according to Churches in Europe. At a meeting with the Irish EU Presidency in Dublin this morning (Friday March 8), they questioned the sense in discussing economic austerity without including measures for social cohesion. Efforts aimed at the eradication of structural poverty and inequality should all be considered when measuring economic progress, they maintained. … 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
‘We have united for the better’. This sentence from the Berlin Declaration of March 2007 was recalled by Cardinal Marx, COMECE President, on the occasion of the opening event of the Autumn Plenary Assembly of the COMECE bishops, which took place from 21 to 23 November in Brussels. In his Speech dedicated to the ‘Current Challenges for the EU and the Contribution of Christians’, Cardinal … 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
In contrast, there have been continuing scientific advances in fields of research involving alternative stem cells (adult, derived from umbilical cord or induced pluripotent) which present better prospects for clinical applications; or have indeed already demonstrated widespread clinical results (and do not raise any special ethical problems). Today’s Nobel Prize rewards such efforts to discover alternatives to hESC in mature, specialised cells that once reprogrammed … Continue reading