The General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU gathered in Brussels on Monday, 28 April 2025, to discuss and strengthen COMECE’s mission of dialogue with the institutions of the European Union so as to ensure a strong voice for the Church in Europe’s integration process and policy making. Photo Gallery
2025 COMECE meeting of the General Secretaries of the EU Bishops’ Conferences. (Photo: COMECE)
The meeting included discussions on a wide variety of topics, ranging from the situation in the Mediterranean to the teaching of religion in public schools, from EU-related data protection issues to safeguarding the right of the Church to organise its internal affairs. The General Secretaries also shared information on actions and initiatives aimed at effectively combating sexual abuse and providing support for victims.
During the day, the issue of security also emerged, with an analysis of potential emergency situations that may arise in connection with the war in Ukraine, and the role and contribution the Catholic Church can play in this context. The theme of secularism was likewise addressed, noting the worrying trend across EU Member States towards confining religion exclusively to the private sphere.
The representatives of the EU Episcopates had the opportunity to exchange views with Klaus Welle, former Secretary General of the European Parliament (2002–2022) and current Chairman of the Academic Council of the Wilfried Martens Centre. Together, they discussed the current political and institutional framework of the European Union, as well as its challenges. Click here to access a recent article authored by Klaus Welle on this topic.
The General Secretaries also discussed the main working topics of COMECE during a session with the advisers of the COMECE Secretariat.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, who thanked the General Secretaries for their closeness to COMECE and invited them to continue providing strong support to its work, in order to contribute effectively to the increasingly intense legislative and policy-making processes of the EU institutions.
A similar call was recently made by His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin during the 2025 Spring Assembly of COMECE held in Nemi (Italy). Cardinal Parolin stated: “Even though it may be a considerable effort for your Episcopal Conferences to contribute to maintaining a qualified body in Brussels, composed of people capable of following and contributing to European policies, I believe it is necessary to do so and to support it, including financially, with generosity. As particular Churches, you are called always to have a universal ‘breath’ and to be able to look beyond local and national interests and needs.” Click here to read Card. Parolin’s full speech.
The next meeting of the General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU will take place at the Secretariat of COMECE, Brussels, in the first semester of 2026.
Media
Address of Card. Parolin to the 2025 COMECE Spring Assembly
Article authored by Klaus Welle
Photo Gallery of the meeting