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22 March 2023
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đź”´ ASSEMBLY | Italian Bishop Crociata is the new President of COMECE
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His Excellency Mgr. Mariano Crociata (Italy) is the new President of COMECE. He was elected on Wednesday 22 March 2023 by the Bishop Delegates of the EU Episcopates, gathered in Rome for the Spring Plenary Assembly of COMECE. On the same occasion, four Vice-Presidents were also elected: Mgr. Hérouard, Mgr. Brás da Silva Martins, Mgr. Norvila, Mgr. Kozon.
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Mgr. Mariano Crociata, Bishop of Latina, is the new President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE). He was elected by the Bishop Delegates of the EU Bishops’ Conferences, gathered in Rome for their 2023 Spring Assembly.
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Mgr. Crociata, 70, takes over as President from Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ for the period 2023-2028. Upon his election, the Bishop of Latina expressed his gratitude to the members of the Assembly for their trust. “This is a crucial time for Europe and for the Church. Unity and solidarity are needed more than ever. They should guide us through the many transitions our societies are faced with”, Mgr. Crociata stated.
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“I am particularly referring to the need for a just and sustainable recovery from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure leaving no one behind, as well as renewing the vocation of the European Union to be a source of development and a promise of peace for our beloved continent and the world”, he continued.
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The new President is the Delegate of the Italian Bishops’ Conference to COMECE since 2017. In the last five years, he served as First-Vice President of COMECE. Click here to read his biography
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Following the election of the new Presidency, the Assembly welcomed Cardinal Secretary of State His Eminence Pietro Parolin. Together they exchanged on the humanitarian, geo-political and social implications of the war in Ukraine, and on ways for the Catholic Church to encourage and contribute to EU’s role as global peace actor.
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On Thursday 23 March, the new Presidency, as well as all EU Bishop Delegates and the members of the COMECE Secretariat and their families, will be received by Pope Francis.
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The audience will provide a welcome opportunity to discuss with the Holy Father some of the most crucial topics for Europe, with a particular emphasis on the promotion of peace, on EU migration and asylum policies and on the 2024 elections of the European Parliament.
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Finally, the COMECE Assembly will have a dialogue meeting with Antonio Tajani, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vice-President of the European Popular Party (EPP) and former President of the European Parliament.
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PRESS OFFICE
alessandro.dimaio@comece.eu
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The Catholic Church in the European Union
Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union
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