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Fruitful dialogue meeting on Freedom of Religion with the Hungarian EU Presidency

COMECE Adviser Alessandro Calcagno speaking at the Article 17 TFEU conference “Shared Responsibility: Cooperation Between States and Religious Communities in Europe”. (Photo: Hungarian EU Presidency)

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) participated in the Article 17 TFEU conference “Shared Responsibility: Cooperation Between States and Religious Communities in Europe,” held in Budapest on Friday, 18 October 2024, under the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council.

During the event, Alessandro Calcagno, COMECE Adviser for Fundamental Rights and Article 17 TFEU matters, emphasised that similar events – where EU Presidencies engage in dialogue with Churches under Article 17 TFEU – should “be a regular feature of each EU semester and not be dependent solely on the goodwill of each rotating EU Presidency”.

Calcagno particularly focused on Freedom of Religion and its protection within the EU, addressing all its dimensions, including the institutional one. He also stressed that “tolerance cannot replace the effective protection of fundamental rights” and called on the EU to take urgent action against intolerance and discrimination toward Christians in Europe, advocating for the appointment of an EU Coordinator responsible for this matter.

Regarding places of worship, the COMECE representative highlighted that their protection is important not only due to their symbolic significance, but also for their essential role in ensuring the exercise of the fundamental right to freedom of religion.