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Nemi (Fides News Agency) – Following the formation courses organized by the Dicasteries of the Holy See for newly appointed Bishops (see Fides, 2/9/2026), the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, is promoting a formation course for Bishops ordained in previous years. The course, which began today, Sunday 13 September, until Saturday 19 September, is centred on the theme of Bishops as “Servants of Communion in the Church”.
Twenty-one Bishops are taking part in the working and discussion sessions of the Course. They all come from English-speaking African countries and received episcopal ordination between 1999 and 2022. The initiative represents a new, experimental programme among the activities promoted by the Missionary Dicastery.
The Course is being held at the “ad Gentes” Centre in Nemi, in the Castelli Romani area, the residence of the Fathers of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). The site is particularly significant in light of the recent ecclesial Magisterium on mission. In the first months of 1965, when the residence had only recently begun operating, meetings were held there by the commission tasked with completely redrafting the draft document of the Second Vatican Council on the Church’s missionary activity. The document was subsequently approved as the conciliar Decree “Ad Gentes” on 7 December 1965, the day before the solemn closing of the Council.
Among the theologians in that commission were the Dominican Yves Congar and the then 38-year-old Joseph Ratzinger, who, as Pope, returned to Nemi on 9 July 2012 to visit the “Ad Gentes” Centre.
The aims of the course
The program aims to offer insights and guidance on issues that bishops are called upon to address on a daily basis in their episcopal ministry: practical matters relating to the exercise of charity, the proclamation of the Gospel and the liturgy. More specifically, the course will also address issues such as fundraising, providing support and being present for victims of abuse, the appointment of women to positions of high responsibility, and the emergencies arising in spiritual accompaniment in the digital age, conflict management and workload.
The Course also provides a favourable opportunity to strengthen bonds among members of the episcopate and to consolidate the bonds of communion among the particular Churches and within the universal Church.
Among the speakers and moderators are Archbishop Joseph Marino, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and Apostolic Nuncio, and Professor Peter Beer, former Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising and professor at the Institute of Anthropology of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
The course is also supported by Father Olivier Soma, of the Society of Missionaries of Africa, who is also a professor at the same Institute, and by Father Marco Sungsu Kim, an official of the Dicastery for Evangelization and professor at the Institute of Psychology of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Programme details
On Monday, 14 September, will be devoted to the theme “Being a Bishop today”, with in-depth reflection on current ecclesial and doctrinal issues. Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the missionary Dicastery, will take part in the sessions.
On Tuesday, 15 September, the focus will shift to discussing some “Guidelines for one’s pastoral ministry”, including further reflection on the use of reference documents concerning the exercise of charity, the proclamation of the Gospel and the liturgy.
On Wednesday 16 September, the presentations and discussions will focus on issues relating to the concrete exercise of the episcopal ministry in the leadership of particular Churches, with reference also to matters concerning communication and relations with the civil authorities.
On Thursday 17 September, the agenda of the day will be addressed to the theme “Conflicts and crises. At the service of the community”.
On Friday 18 September, the working sessions will address other issues and practical concerns relating to the exercise of the episcopal ministry. Attention will also be drawn to the need to distinguish between a person’s role and the person themselves in relationships with others, as well as the importance of making the most of the dialogue and support offered by the various members of the church community, whilst avoiding the temptation to deal with urgent matters alone and to resolve problems in an individualistic manner.
The course will conclude on Saturday, 19 September, with a final evaluation session. At 11:45 a.m., the Eucharistic concelebration will be presided over by Archbishop Samuele Sangalli, Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
(PR) (Fides News Agency, 13/9/2026)
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