Report on 2024 Meeting of Catholic organisations working with the EU

The event was graced by H.E. Mgr. Noël Treanor Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union EU and Fr. Manuel Barrios, General Secretary of COMECE. The event, spanning from morning to evening, fostered a collaborative environment where attendees could openly share insights, exchange ideas, and forge new partnerships. Represented organizations engaged in multifaceted areas such as food security, agroecology, justice and peace initiatives, migration, inter-religious dialogue, and climate change among others. This report encapsulates the key discussions, initiatives, and messages conveyed during the meeting.

Some Key Discussion Points

1. Rule of Law and Democracy: Participants emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and promoting democratic values within the EU. They advocated for intergenerational dialogue to foster solidarity-oriented societies and urged for greater inclusion of churches and religious communities in national Rule of Law cycles.
2. Migration and Asylum: Deliberations centered on ensuring the effective implementation of asylum rights, promoting cooperation with countries of origin and transit, and addressing the root causes of migration. Participants emphasized the need for humane treatment of migrants, advocating for policies that uphold dignity and safety.
3. Food Security and Land grabbing in Global South: Discussions highlighted the importance of preserving fundamental principles of the human rights and human dignity. Also Church-State relations within the EU legal framework, particularly concerning matters of AU-EU relations were cited as points that could help to address food security.

Key Messages

The Nuncio remarked that the overarching message echoed throughout the meeting was one of solidarity, compassion, and collective action in addressing pressing societal challenges. Fr. Manuel, reiterated the importance of collaboration among Catholic organizations while respecting the autonomy and space of other entities. Collaboration, he emphasized, should not entail dominance but rather mutual respect and cooperation.

Conclusion

The COMECE Catholic Based Organizations Meeting served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action among diverse stakeholders within the Catholic community. Through fruitful discussions and exchange of ideas, participants reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the Catholic Social Teaching, democratic values, promoting human dignity, and addressing pressing issues such as migration, climate change, and global peace. Moving forward, the shared resolve and collaboration demonstrated during the meeting are poised to drive positive change and foster greater solidarity within the EU and beyond; with projects like AU-EU equal partnership.

Elvis Ng’andwe, M.Afr
AEFJN Executive Secretary
AEFJN