COMECE highly values transparency, which is integrated in our activities and promoted in EU policies since the early 2000’s.
In 2011, the Secretariat of COMECE joined the EU Transparency Register under Section V (Organisations representing Churches and religious communities).
The description provided in the relevant form reads as follows:
“The COMECE Secretariat carries out operatively the aims of the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union (COMECE), partnering EU political processes; monitoring EU activities and informing its Episcopates; communicating to the EU the views of its Episcopates. The COMECE Secretariat supports greater transparency in EU processes. It recognises itself as ‘Organisations representing churches and religious communities’ and agrees that the Register should not apply to Churches.COMECE is involved in Art. 17.3 TFEU Dialogue with a specific contribution and a peculiar identity, status and dignity, not as a lobby/interest representative/single-issue organisation.
Our contribution is of moral/ethical nature but also rooted in Church Social Doctrine. It is constantly inspired by the Gospel and Church reflection on the dignity of each human being as created in God’s image. We operate for the common good, not for business/interests and we are not conditioned by third-party interests”.
Detailed information and figures concerning COMECE funding and annual budget are provided in the EU Transparency Register and in the COMECE Annual Report. The COMECE profile on the EU Transparency Register is available here.
COMECE is registered as an international non-profit association (AISBL) under Belgian law under the name “Association des Episcopats de la Communauté Européenne” – national enterprise number: 420.688.307.