The Church and Europe in Conversation To strengthen dialogue between the Church and society across Europe, the Holy See relies on the Commission of the Bishops\u2019 Conferences of the European Community (COMECE). Bringing together bishops\u2019 representatives from EU member states, COMECE serves as a bridge between the Church and European institutions, offering guidance on social, ethical, and cultural issues shaping public life. Shortly after his election, Pope Leo met with a COMECE delegation on May 23, underscoring the importance of this mission. In a time marked by rapid secularization, individualism, and cultural change, COMECE works to support bishops in engaging society and promoting a renewed sense of community across the continent. Bishop Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, spoke about the challenges facing Catholic communities today and the signs of hope emerging across Europe: \u201cOne of the tasks of the Commission \u2014 our Commission \u2014 is indeed to engage in dialogue with the Institutions, but also to bring back to our Bishops\u2019 Conferences what we observe here within the broader dynamics of the European Union. From this perspective, addressing individualism is one of our most important responsibilities. Yet I would say this goes beyond the work of the Commission itself, because the life of the Church, by its very nature, fosters community \u2014 it helps communities grow. “So even the many bishops who are not part of the Commission, though they may hear about these discussions only occasionally and with some difficulty, are in fact already engaged in this mission: building communities and relationships grounded in the experience of faith. “Of course, greater cultural awareness of this issue could provide a stronger impulse \u2014 and it is our commitment to promote this vision. The conviction that without relationships and community we cannot move forward is essential, because even our own mission is deeply affected when these are lacking.\u201d At the heart of COMECE\u2019s work is a reminder that Europe\u2019s future depends on rebuilding relationships and strengthening community \u2014 something the Church has always sought to nurture. In several parts of Europe, parishes are reporting unusually high numbers of baptisms and a renewed interest in the faith. This raises an important question about how the Church can accompany these developments. Grace Camara, of EWTN Low Countries, recognized \u201cwe’re seeing across the board in Europe record numbers of baptisms. There’s a renewed sort of Catholic revival in some countries in France, also in the UK, we’re seeing that. How can we capitalize on that and make sure that we’re really encouraging more people to come towards the Church and to seek answers from the Church, rather than this secularization that we’ve seen in the last few decades?\u201d Bishop Crociata describes a Europe divided between enduring traditions and growing secular indifference \u2014 yet still marked by a deep spiritual longing. \u201cI would describe the situation this way: on the one hand, especially in the countries of central and southern Europe, there remains a Christianity rooted in tradition \u2014 it still endures, even though there are clear signs of crisis. There is a need to foster greater awareness and understanding. Elsewhere, however, a more secularized outlook prevails: people are distant, disengaged. More and more individuals not only refrain from practicing their faith, but do not even consider, at least explicitly, religious questions. “On this point, I would note two things. The first, as you mentioned, is that there are new stirrings \u2014 different kinds of movements and energies \u2014 and there are many of them. “Yet it is also easy to see, in certain situations, signs in people\u2019s lives that reveal a deeper longing, a sense of needing something more. Modern men and women are often absorbed in material life, focused on the present. But there are moments \u2014 and not only in times of suffering or tragedy \u2014 when they feel, when they understand, that this cannot be all there is, that there must be something beyond. And that awareness must not be overlooked or forgotten.\u201d For COMECE, these \u201cmoments of awakening\u201d are opportunities: signs that, despite secularization, Europe\u2019s search for meaning is very much alive. Adapted by Jacob Stein. Grace Camara contributed to this article. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Video Edited by Ilaria Chimenti; Special thanks & Credits to EWTN Belgium Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Andrea Manna Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article \u2018A pope of mercy\u2019: Priests from around the world mourn Pope Francis in St. Peter\u2019s Square Synod on Synodality\u2019s \u2018Most Fertile Time\u2019 Will be Between the Assemblies, Radcliffe Says Vatican prohibits Traditional Latin Mass in Bishop Strickland\u2019s former cathedral Pope Francis is sending Cardinal Krajewski to Ukraine on a humanitarian mission Jubilee of Youth: Three Iconic Roman Sites to Host Young Pilgrims In the Places of Pier Giorgio Frassati in Turin<\/p>\n