Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
St Gallen (Fides Service) – The Presidents of the 34 Bishops’ Conferences in Europe, which make up the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE), are to meet in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 2-5 October. Bearing in mind the post-synodal document Ecclesia in Europa, published on 28 June 2003, the Bishops will examine the present-day challenges facing the Church in Europe.
The first day will be devoted to socio-political and international questions: Europe, the relationship between Europe and the other continents, the enlargement of the Union, and the Constitutional Treaty. The basic question will be: in view of the European make-up, what will be the Church’s contribution to the general world view?
In the document Ecclesia in Europa Pope John Paul calls European Christians to “give Europe hope once again”. For CCEE this means facilitating dialogue and sharing: with the world of culture, with other churches, other religions (in particular with Islam). In recent years Bishops’ Conferences have also collaborated with the means of social communication, and on human mobility and environmental issues. As well as themes linked to evangelisation, the Bishops will be discussing these at Vilnius. The Plenary Assembly will end with Mass celebrated in Vilnius Cathedral on Sunday 5 October 2003. SL (Fides Service 22/9/2003 EM lines 15 Words: 199)
