Danish EU Presidency: European churches meet with Danish government

A delegation from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met with Morten Dahlin, Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, in Copenhagen on Monday, 24 November 2025, in the context of Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

During the meeting, the ecumenical delegation presented the central concerns of European churches regarding the priorities and activities of the EU Presidency. Topics discussed included the war in Ukraine, the need to ensure humane migration and asylum policies rooted in respect for human dignity; the advancement of a credible and citizen-centred EU enlargement process; and the strengthening of democracy and social cohesion within the EU.

Significant attention was devoted to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The church leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and called for continued unity within the EU in order to achieve “a sustainable, honest and just peace that fully respects international law and the aspirations of the people of Ukraine, as well as those across Europe, to live in peace”. They encouraged the Danish EU Presidency to support efforts towards a European Peace Strategy to strengthen the EU’s integrated approach to peacebuilding, as well as to promote the future reconstruction of Ukraine.

During the meeting with Minister Morten Dahlin, the delegation also called for fair and humane EU migration and asylum policies that guarantee respect for human dignity and fundamental rights. In this context, the delegation reiterated the need for “a broad alliance between public authorities, civil society and churches” to support migrants, safeguard their dignity and facilitate their integration into host societies.

COMECE and CEC also emphasised that these efforts should include initiatives addressing the root causes of migration, supported by churches and faith-based actors who are present and active in countries with high levels of emigration.

The ecumenical delegation also advocated for advancing the EU enlargement, particularly regarding the Western Balkans. COMECE and CEC welcomed the Danish EU Presidency’s commitment to promoting progress with candidate countries. They emphasised that the process must remain credible, sustainable, fair and citizen-centred, and expressed their readiness to contribute to deeper reflection on shared values in an enlarged Union.

Following the meeting with the Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, the ecumenical delegation was hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Ambassador and Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ms Nathalia Feinberg.

In dialogue with the Ambassador and various government officials, the COMECE-CEC delegation addressed a number of its concerns, including the appointment of a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion outside the EU and the establishment of an EU Coordinator for Anti-Christian Hatred within the Union.

Churches also emphasised the crucial role they play not only within the European Union but also in conflict-affected areas, assisting local populations, delivering humanitarian aid, and providing educational and health services. They called on the Ambassador to continue counting on churches and faith-based actors as partners in the future reconstruction of Ukraine.

During the visit to Copenhagen, the COMECE-CEC delegation participated in a panel discussion on the role of churches in dialogue with the European Union. The event, hosted by the Grundtvig Academy, provided an opportunity to engage with Danish local churches on some of the most pressing policy issues at the European level, including the climate crisis, religious illiteracy in politics, and peace in Ukraine, as well as to share ideas, good practices, and experiences from the local to the European level. An ecumenical prayer was held at Vartov Church, a historic Danish church in Copenhagen.

The meeting with Danish authorities continues the long-standing dialogue between EU institutions and churches under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It reflects a shared commitment to contributing to the common good in Europe through open, transparent, and regular dialogue.

The visit to Copenhagen was also an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration between COMECE, CEC, and their respective local churches, which proved essential for the effectiveness of dialogue with the Danish authorities.

The CEC–COMECE delegation was composed of: