Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - Some 230 Abbots of the oldest monastic order of the Church in the West will gather in Rome for a Congress from 21 to 29 September. Benedictine abbots meet every four years to discuss matters concerning the Benedictine Confederation and the management of St Anselm’s College and monastery in Rome. Special guests this time will include 24 Benedictine nuns as well as five representatives of other Christian confessions. Besides normal administration matter, the abbots will discuss the challenge of globalisation. German Prof. Norbert Walter of the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt and Mr Andrea Riccardi, founder of the S. Egidio Community, will speak on the theme from the secular and religious points of view. Since the community was founded in the 6th century, Benedictine monks, later joined by sisters have always adapted their mission of ‘prayer and work’ to the times and to the local contexts and cultures. Today they are gathered in 438 monasteries all over the world and this ancient Order, which even has its own web site (http://osb-international.info/) feels the time has come to study the phenomenon of globalisation in view of ‘prayer and work’. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 16/09/2004 - Righe 11; Parole 149)
