Clinical trials are necessary before any new medicine is put on the market. However, many people who are unable to give consent as well as people from less-developed countries often participate in such trials. So how can we better protect these people and vulnerable populations against abuse? The European Commission has proposed a regulation which will be submitted to a vote of the European Parliament next 29 May. The COMECE bioethical experts consider that the proposal could go further in the protection of the people concerned. Read more

‘On this 9 May is celebrated across our continent as Europe Day. It offers us an occasion to recall the beginnings of the great adventure which has grown the nations of Europe closer together. Peace and Solidarity, the principal goals set on the 9 May 1950, still need to be pursued with even greater persistence in 2013, given that we are living through an economic crisis, which is profoundly impacting on European society and causing much pain. There are some politicians, and citizens too, who imagine that conflict and division will resolve this crises. Such logic takes us back 70 years to a continent deeply divided by hatred and mutual suspicion. But we simply do not want to turn back; we want to move forward. In this, we must take our lead from the vision of ‘transformation’ outlined by Robert Schuman in the preliminary text of his 9 May declaration'. Read more

COMECE is sad to announce the death on Monday 15 April of Fr Paul Huot-Pleuroux, who was the first General Secretary of COMECE at its foundation in 1980. He occupied this position until 1989. Paul Huot-Pleuroux belonged to the pioneering generation of Church representation to the European Institutions. He launched COMECE, established its working methods as well as the initial contacts with European institutions. COMECE, its President Cardinal Marx, the member bishops and the COMECE Secretariat wish to pay tribute to Fr Paul Huot-Pleuroux and they proudly follow in his footsteps. A Mass in his memory will be celebrated this Friday 19 April at 12:00. Read more

This Thursday 28 March, COMECE President Reinhard Cardinal Marx sent the following message of support to his Cypriot counterpart Mgr Youssef Soueif, Archbishop of the Maronites of Cyprus:

“The grave economic crisis, which in recent weeks has been felt especially keenly in Cyprus, is a cause of deep concern within the wider European family. Nonetheless, at this time our thoughts turn particularly to Cyprus, to you and to your people, given the great suffering recent developments will have caused to the Cypriot population as a whole, especially those already most vulnerable in your society. Cyprus and its people will be very much in our prayers this Holy Week and Easter.

As president of COMECE, I wish to assure you of the keen concern of all your fellow bishops for you and your people at this particular juncture in your country's history. Read more

Rev. Patrick H. Daly, General Secretary of COMECE joins the wider Church Family in welcoming the election of Jorge Maria Cardinal Bergoglio as Pope Francis. ‘Right from the outset, the European project has enjoyed the active support and interest of the new pontif’s predecessors, all of whom closely followed developments within the constellation of nations, which has become the European Union.

At this critical time when there is deep confusion about Europe’s future, it may be an opportune moment for the new Pontiff to inject fresh enthusiasm into the search for a vision of Europe. This vision enshrines those Christian values, which so inspired the founding fathers of the European project.

The Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa, which Pope Francis’ predecessor John Paul II published ten years ago still has a powerful message for those working to shape the Europe of tomorrow. We feel sure that the Successor of Peter will recognise with pride what has been achieved together by the European nations and encourage Europe’s political leaders – and incidentally all of us at COMECE - to continue, with solidarity and respect for subsidiarity, on the path towards unity in diversity for all within the European family.’