Yesterday the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso met with a group of leaders and representatives of the Christian Churches, Judaism and Islam in Brussels, after which they issued a joint statement. In light of the recent terror attacks in London, all of the participants highlighted the barbarity of these attacks and denounced the use of religion as a justification for such actions. … Continue reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »