Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Zagabria (Fides Service) - The Presidency of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE), the body comprising the continent’s 34 Conferences, met in Zagreb from 17-21 July. The CCEE Presidency planned the CCEE Plenary Assembly which will see all the Presidents of Europe’s Bishops' Conferences gathered in Rome from 29 September - 2 October 2005. Marking the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, the Presidents will reflect on future prospects for the Church in Europe with regard to evangelisation in the context of a secularised culture, the meeting between Churches, religions and cultures, and the contribution in providing Europe with the moral values it needs, especially faced with the tremendous challenges in the field of bioethics. CCEE sent a letter from Zagreb to Pope Benedict XVI informing him of the plans of the European bishops and expressing the desire to meet him in the course of the Plenary Assembly. Another theme tackled by the CCEE Presidency was that of ecumenism. The plan for a Third European Ecumenical Assembly was examined. This will see a four-stage pilgrimage involving all Europe’s nations and Churches, starting in Rome 24-27 January 2006 and ending at Sibiu in Romania in September 2007. CCEE’s Presidency again considered the actual process of European unification, collaboration between European and African bishops and relations with Muslims in European countries. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2005; righe 17, parole 232)
