21/11/2017
COMECE contribution to the planned EU Communication on Elements for an EU Strategy for Iraq (EN)
The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
“We need to hear the cry of the poor and commit ourselves to ending their marginalisation“, said Pope Francis in his Message for the World Day of the Poor on Sunday. The Holy Father recalled that the care for the poor is at the very heart of the Christian faith. He encouraged all of us to embrace a culture of encounter “that breaks through their … Continue reading
COMECE and CEC welcome the inter-institutional proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights to be signed today at the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth that is taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden. COMECE and CEC consider the European Pillar of Social Rights as a vital and further step towards the European Social Market Economy, therefore we welcome the high-level consensus set by the … Continue reading
In a high-level conference on Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament organised in the Vatican on 11-12 November 2017, Pope Francis condemned the use and possession of nuclear weapons. Pope Francis encouraged the 350 participants, including representatives from COMECE, to explore the connections between integral human development, peace and nuclear disarmament, in order to build a world without nuclear weapons. Participants to the International Symposium pointed to … Continue reading
Ahead of the 5th summit of the African Union and the European Union – Abidjan, 28–29 November 2017 – the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences in the European Union (COMECE) and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), have published today a joint Statement entitled “Africa and Europe shall work as one for the youth of our continents”. COMECE and SECAM – whose … Continue reading
“We are not an interest group speaking in favor of religions, we are European citizens committed to the construction of Europe”, said Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich during a high-level meeting between the EU institutions and religious leaders from across Europe. European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, together with European Parliament Vice-President Mairead McGuinness, hosted the 13th Annual High-Level meeting between the EU institutions and leaders from … Continue reading
In cooperation with Pax Christi International and CIDSE, COMECE organised a panel discussion on the challenges posed by the extractive industries in Latin America. Grassroots actors and policy-makers exchanged on challenges and perspectives at different levels. The panel hosted by COMECE included Mikeas Sánchez Gomez, a representative of the indigenous Zoque community from Chiapas (Mexico), Martha Ines Romero, Pax Christi Coordinator for Latin American and … Continue reading
(Re)Thinking Europe Dialogue gathered in the Vatican City around 350 high-level Church and EU political leaders. Between 27-29 October, participants engaged each other in a frank and open dialogue, contributing to a constructive reflection on the fundamental challenges facing the European project. That phase of (Re)Thinking Europe is over but another one begins. As Pope Francis stated during the final ceremony, «Christians are called to … Continue reading
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, will participate to (Re)Thinking Europe on Saturday 28th October 2017, at 17:30, at the New Synod Hall in the Vatican City. The event will be live streamed. Pope Francis will join the 350 participants – all high-level Church and EU leaders, academics and representatives of the civil society – gathered in the Vatican City since Friday in order to engage … Continue reading