Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brussels (Fides Service) - A three day Plenary meeting of the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community COMECE opens today 23 March in Brussels Belgium. Among the topics for discussion how to consolidate inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue in Europe in the light of recent events. The Bishops will examine the present situation with a view to adopting an action plan in order to reinforce intercultural and inter-religious dialogue at the European level. This action plan will then be presented to the Austrian EU Presidency. In addition the Bishops will consult on a declaration for publication on 9 May 2006 as part of their contribution to the reflection period on the future of the European Union. They will also elect a new COMECE presidency.
Delegates at the meeting will represent Bishops’ Conference of Germany, France, England and Wales, Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Austria, Scandinavia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Scotland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal and Hungary. Delegates of Bisshops’ Conferences of Croatia and Bulgaria will be present as observers.
To mark the retirement of COMECE President, Bishop Josef Homeyer as he steps down after nearly 13 years, an evening debate and reception will be held in his honour. At this event Mr Tadeusz Maziwiecki, former Polish prime minister and current president of the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation will speak on “Europe and its nations - the significance of the Church for European identity”. This intervention will then be followed by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, Apostolic Nuncio in Egypt and former President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue who will speak on the subject “Europe, politics and inter-religious dialogue”. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 22/03/2006 - 24 righe, 258 parole)
