EU Bishops to gather in Poland for COMECE Plenary Assembly on 17-19 April

Delegates from the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union will gather in Łomża, Poland, for the Spring COMECE Plenary Assembly on 17-19 April 2024. Marking 20 years after the big EU enlargement, the Assembly will delve into the voices of Central and Eastern Europe in light of the forthcoming European elections.

The Assembly’s agenda includes three main sessions, focusing on the European Union’s integration process, its perception from Central and Eastern Europe, and future directions amid geopolitical challenges.

On Wednesday, 17 April, the Bishops will explore the successes and challenges of EU integration, with the help of Ján Fidel’, Member of the Board of the European Institute of Innovation and Technlogy and former Special Envoy for the promotion of FoRB outside the EU, as well as Chief Negotiator in the accession process of Slovakia to the EU.

On Thursday, 18 April, a special panel will address the perception of the EU from the viewpoint of Central and Eastern Europe, with Alojz Peterle, former Prime Minister of Slovenia. On this day, the Assembly will receive Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, Metropolitan of Poznań and former President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference.

On Friday, 19 April, the final session will feature the participation of Prof. Tomáš Halík, Professor of Sociology at Charles University in Prague and also President of the Czech Christian Academy. During this session, the Bishops will engage in a dialogue with him to explore Central and Eastern Europe’s perspective on the future of the Church and Christianity in Europe.

The Assembly is hosted by Mgr. Janusz Stepnowski, Bishop of Łomża and Polish Bishop Delegate to COMECE.

COMECE / Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference