Secretariat of COMECE (Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union)
Budget
€1,387,013
EP Access
5
accredited persons
Staff
7
6.5 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
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 hurch 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.
EU Legislative Interests
• Implementation of Article 17 TFEU • General Data Protection Regulation • Proposal to recast the Child sexual abuse directive • Non-discrimination policies, legislation and jurisprudence • Anti-Christian hatred in the EU • Freedom of Religion inside the EU • EU Non-profit laws • EU Democracy Shield • Omnibus IV simplification package • EU anti-money laundering legislation • Rights of the Child • European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan • Future of work • Working time EU legislation • Social Market Economy • Unemployment policies • Reconciliation of work and family life • Democracy at work • EU’s response to the wars and conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan and the DRC • Common Security and Defence Policy • EU Enlargement policy • Omnibus I simplification package • The EU-AU partnership • Proposals in view of the next MFF (2028-2034) / “Global Europe” and “Defence” • Freedom of Religion outside the EU • EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and related initiatives (in particular: common EU return system and notion and list of safe third countries) • Anti-Trafficking Directive • Digital Ethics • Mental Health • Sexual and reproductive health • Women rights • Genetically modified organisms, new genomic techniques • EU Biotechnology Act • Multi Annual Financial Framework and the Horizon Europe Research Framework • EU Demography Policies • Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 (Education, Culture, Media & Union values strand) • European Universities Initiative (European Universities Alliances) • Religious Education in European Schools • Youth participation in EU policymaking (Commission Youth Advisory Board) • Erasmus+, Skills, Youth policy debates • Union of Skills
Communication Activities
Contributions • Contribution to the EC public consultation on the review of the General Block Exemption Regulation (Oct.25) • Input to the institutional work on the proposal for a Directive on child sexual abuse, exploitation and materials (Sept.25) • Contribution to the EC public consultation on the ‘European Democracy Shield’ (May.25) • RKK-COMECE contribution to the public consultation on updated FATF Guidance on AML/CFT measures and financial inclusion (Apr.25) • Ecumenical letter to Commissioner Brunner on Article 17 TFEU (Dec.24) • Contribution to the European Data Protection Board public consultation on legitimate interest (Nov.24) • Note from the COMECE President on the crisis in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan (Oct.25) • “The European Union’s Role in a Changing World: From Founding Vision to Global Mission”, Reflection Paper of the Commission on EU External Relations (Jun.25) • Joint Message of COMECE and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) in view of the 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting (May.25) • Comments on the ‘Omnibus I package’ (Mar.25) • Statement by the COMECE Presidency “in support of Ukraine and its people amid deepening geopolitical complexities and uncertainties” (Mar.25) • Statement “COMECE shares concerns for the dignity and presence of the people of Gaza” (Feb.25) • Statement by the COMECE President on “the Humanitarian, Security and Political Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo” (Feb.25) • Statement expressing “solidarity with the people of Ukraine” (Dec.24) • Statement by the Christian Group on Migration and Asylum on the EC Proposal for a new common European system for returns (Sept.25) • Publication in “La Società - Quo Vadis Europa - Regulierung der künstlichen Intelligenz durch die Europäische Union" (Apr.25) • Contribution of the COMECE Youth Net on “Migration and asylum policies in the EU: a focus on integration” (Jul.25) • Letter to the EC President calling for the reinstatement of a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU(Oct.25) • Statement COMECE advocates for peaceful transition in Syria (Dec.24) • Submission to the MFF 2028–34 consultation (Sept.25) Events • Intervention at the 4th meeting of Ministers of Religious Affairs (25-09-25) • Meeting with the Cabinet of Commissioner Brunner on Art. 17 TFEU (1-07-25) • Intervention at the EP Article 17 TFEU exchange on the Commission Work Programme 2025 (18-03-25) • Conference on Safeguarding religious freedom in Europe, EP (04-12-24) • Art. 17 TFEU Conference “Shared Responsibility: Cooperation Between States and Religious Communities in Europe” (18-10-24) • Care Dialogue at the EESC with faith-based organisations, Uni Global Union-Europe (Nov.25) • XXV Intl. Conference "The Role of Christians in the Process of European Integration" (Sept.25) • “EU External Policies for the Protection and Promotion of Religious Freedom”, in: 32nd Annual International Law and Religion Symposium, U.S. (5-7-10-25) • Presentation on “Religious Persecution and the Religious Dimension of Conflicts”, II European Summer School, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria-COMECE (Jul.25) • "Religious Freedom and Beyond: The Catholic Church and the Diplomacy of the Conscience at the Service of the Common Good", International Conference “The European Union and the Holy See”, Prague (6-05-25) • Stakeholders meeting with the EUSR for Human Rights on Pakistan (13-02-25) • Meeting with the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU (Oct.&Nov.24) • Intervention on “Religious Freedom in Western Countries: Trends and Threats”, Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU (19-10-24) • Intervention on “’Polite persecution’ of Christians in the West”, Ministerial Conference of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, Berlin (11-10-24) • Conference “AI and Human Trafficking: Threats, Tools, and Legal Frontiers”, sponsored by MEP Zarzalejos (30-09-25) • Solidarity visit to Ukraine (16-18-07-25)
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
• Member of the European Sunday Alliance • Christian Group on Migration and Asylum (Brussels-based Christian ecumenical platform of entities working in migration, asylum and anti-trafficking advocacy) • Catholic Response for Ukraine Working Group (CR4U) • Member of ad-hoc working group on sexual and reproductive health rights of the Catholic Office of the German Bishop Conference • Member of the Working Group “ Europa” of the German Catholic Bishop Conference
Organisation Members
n.a.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.