The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
During a press conference held yesterday in the secretariat of the COMECE in Brussels, Mgr Noel Treanor, Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the EU, presented the “Comité des Sages” established by COMECE to help prepare the Congress which will take place in Rome from 23-25 March 2007. This Congress will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty … Continue reading
In view of the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which will take place on 25 March 2007, the Bishops of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) have called together a Comité des Sages and assigned it with the preparation of a report on the significance of ethical values for the European unification. The Bishops hope … Continue reading
From 2 September 2006, 80 students from 25 countries participate in the 2006 COMECE Summer University. From September 2nd through September 16th, the 7th COMECE Summer University organized in partnership with the Karl Franzens University and the Diocese Graz-Seckau, will take place in Graz (Austria). Its theme is: “European Identity: Policy, Society, Religion”. The programme is made up of lectures, group- and plenary-discussions. The particular … Continue reading
The Secretariat of COMECE has followed the preparation of the 7th Framework Research Programme for the period 2007-2013. It expresses its profound deception regarding the decision of the European Council of Ministers on 24 July 2006. The Catholic Church recognises the importance of developing an economy based on knowledge, research and innovation in the European Union. To this end the 7th Framework Research Programme is … Continue reading
As Finland assumes the Presidency of the European Union for the coming six months, a Delegation on behalf of the Churches met on Friday 30th June with the Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Mr.Erkki Tuomioja and officials from the Ministries of Education and Labour. The Delegation was led by the Archbishop of Turku, his Excellency Jukka Paarma (Head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland). Other … Continue reading
On 15 June 2006, the European Parliament voted in first reading on the 7th Research Framework Programme and called for EU funding of research with human embryos and human embryonic stem cells. Mgr Noel Treanor, Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), made the following statement: COMECE is supportive of an effective EU research policy in the service … Continue reading
on the occasion of the Competitiveness Council and the vote in the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee on the 7th Research Framework Programme on 30 May 2006 in Brussels. The Executive Committee of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) takes note of the ongoing negotiations about the 7th Research Framework Programme in the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. On … Continue reading
On invitation by the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) bishops and representatives of twelve episcopates in the EU met on May 30th for a study day and an exchange on priorities of the socioethical debate in the EU Bishops’ Conferences. During the day, organised by COMECE for the first time in this format and held under the main theme « Lisbon … Continue reading
Today the COMECE Executive Committee issues a statement in view of Europe Day (9 May 2006) in which they welcome the reflection on the future of Europe and the positive elements of Plan D of the European Commission whilst calling for renewed efforts to revive the debate on the future of Europe. In welcoming the initiatives to reflect upon the future of the European Union, … Continue reading
During their spring plenary the COMECE Bishops adopted initiatives designed to promote intercultural dialogue including its inter-religious dimension. These initiatives were presented to the Austrian EU Presidency during the COMECE plenary, which was held from 22-24 March 2006 in Brussels. Mr Hans WINKLER, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Austrian Government, was presented with COMECE’s initiatives to promote intercultural dialogue by the then COMECE … Continue reading