Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - In September 97 newly appointed Bishops will travel to Rome from 44 different mission areas in Africa, Asia, America and Oceania to take part in a Study Seminar organised by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (CEP). These Seminars for newly appointed Bishop of missionary territories have become a regular feature. The last one, held in September 2004, was attended by 169 Bishops from English-speaking countries.
The Seminar to be held 10 to 23 September at the Pontifical College San Paolo Apostolo in Rome, will be opened by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples Cardinal Ivan Dias who will illustrate the origin, development and duties of the CEP and the main difficulties encountered in missionary activity today. To follow there will be addresses by CEP secretary Archbishop Robert Sarah on the colleges and universities for which the Congregation is responsible and Archbishop Henryk Hoser, CEP secretary adjunct and president of the Pontifical Mission Societies, one the structures and duties of the Societies.
The daily programme will include two morning conferences followed by question time and discussion and in the afternoon group discussion and sharing emerging reflections. The ‘student’ Bishops will listen to talks by 13 cardinals, Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Paul Poupard, Christoph Schonborn, Agostino Vallini, Carlo Caffarra, Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Zenon Grocholewski, William Levada, Javier Lozano Barragan, Franc Rodé, Renato Martino and Attilio Nicora and 5 archbishops or bishops Eterovic, Lajolo, Lebulu, Otsuka and Cordes. Two CEP officials, Mgr Boarotto and Fr. Koonamparampil explain the activity of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
Conferences and reflections will focus on the three duties of the bishop ‘teach, sanctify and govern’ with attention for special situations in mission territories”. The Seminar will treat various themes including spirituality, formation, evangelisation, social doctrine, inter-religious dialogue, liturgy, family pastoral care, health pastoral care. On Sunday 17 September the Bishops will make a pilgrimage and the Seminar will end on Saturday 23 September with a concelebrated Mass at the tomb of St Peter the Apostle followed by an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 29/7/2006; Righe 29 - Parole 358)
