The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
The Executive Committee of COMECE wish to offer their sincere condolences, support and prayers to the British people following the terrorist attacks on the London transport system on Thursday morning. Europe has once again fallen victim to perpetrators of fear and destruction who have targeted vulnerable, ordinary people seeking to live their everyday lives in a free and fair society. Yet the values and spirit … Continue reading
Six Church and Christian organisations working in the field of migration and asylum today sent a letter to Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Council, highlighting concerns regarding the implementation of the Action Plan of the Hague Programme which is due to be endorsed at the European Council meeting from 16-17 June in Brussels. These six organisations – Caritas Europa, the Commission of the Bishops’ … Continue reading
During the Executive Committee of COMECE which gathered in Rome from 9-10 June, the Bishops reflected upon the current situation in the European Union and subsequently issued a statement which will be sent to Prime Minister Juncker in the run up to the European Council gathering from 16-17 June in Brussels. Following on from an initial statement issued by Mgr Treanor, COMECE Secretary General, on … Continue reading
Statement on behalf of Mgr Noël Treanor, Secretary General of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community. “The French and Dutch “No” require discernment on the part of both politicians and citizens. The “ No” vote is multifarious. Therefore an outright rejection of the European project is not to be concluded It expresses genuine apprehension concerning social, economic and security issues in the … Continue reading
In historical terms the work delivered by the European Convention and the subsequent Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which produced the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe can be described as qualitatively significant and a real achievement. What resulted was the product of a finely negotiated compromise and hard won consensus. As such, the final Treaty can be viewed as both relatively good or indeed lacking. Throughout … Continue reading
Church representatives today welcomed the inclusion of respect for human dignity and prospects for increased solidarity in the EU Constitutional Treaty during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and President-in-Office of the European Council, Jean-Claude Juncker held in Brussels. A delegation representing the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the … Continue reading
To coincide with Europe Day on 9 May 2005, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) published a text entitled ‘The Future of the European Union and the Responsibility of Catholics’. This text looks back on the history and the evolution of the European Union as a vector for peace and stability both in Europe and the wider world. It specifically … Continue reading
The following declaration is offered by Bishop Josef Homeyer, President of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) on the occasion of the election of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on 19 April 2005: “On behalf of the Bishops of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, I am delighted to offer our congratulations to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict … Continue reading
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) is disappointed that the Commission proposal for the 7th Research Framework Programme of the 6 April does not contain any clear ethical limits for jointly funded EU research projects. Mgr. Noël Treanor, the Secretary General of COMECE gave this initial reaction to the European Commission’s decision of 6 April: “COMECE supports the development of … Continue reading
The following statement is offered by the COMECE Executive Committee on behalf of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) on the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II on 2nd April 2005 in Rome: “The death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II marks the end of an historic pontificate. The memory of this energetic, courageous and visionary pontiff, … Continue reading