February 2004″ “

We present the main events involving the Catholic Church and the other Christian Churches during February. 1Episcopal ordination of the new bishop of Ghent (Belgium), Msgr. Luc Van Looy, Sdb.2Visit “ad Limina Apostolorum” (2-7), of the French bishops of the ecclesiastical provinces of Clermont and Lyon – Opening of the 17th centenary of the martyrdom of St. Domnius, at Spalato (Split) in Croatia – Diffusion of a document of the bishops of Scotland on “Marriage and family life”, in the context of the year dedicated to life and the family in 2004.41st anniversary of the proclamation of the new “Union of Serbia and Montenegro”.9Visit “ad Limina Apostolorum” (9-14), of the French bishops of the ecclesiastical provinces of Bordeaux and Poitiers. 10Permanent Commission of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (10-12), Madrid. 1112th World Day of the Invalid. 14Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, co-Patrons of Europe – Pilgrimage to the Vatican from the Republic of Slovakia – Meeting of the Work Group of the CCEE (Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe) (14-15), on issues relating to the safeguard of the creation, at Namur (Belgium).16Visit “ad Limina Apostolorum” (16-21), of the French bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Paris and of the Military Ordinariate, together with prelates of the Eparchate of Sainte-Croix de Paris of the Catholic Armenians of France and of the Apostolic Exarchate for the Ukrainians – General Assembly of the UECSM (Union of the European Conferences of Superiors Major) (16-21), at Ljubljana on “The role of religious life in the formation of an ethical conscience in a multicultural Europe. Integrity and compassion: an ethical code for Europe”. 172nd Conference on the Spiritual Exercises of European Jesuits (17-22), at the Centre of Spirituality of Loyola (Spain).20Meeting of the presidents of the Episcopal Conferences of South-East Europe (20-22), at Belgrade, with the participation of the bishops who head the Episcopates of Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, and Turkey.23Visit “ad Limina Apostolorum” (23-28), of the French bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Besançon and of the dioceses of Metz and Strasbourg – 3rd edition of the International Days of charity and volunteer service (23 Feb.-7 March), organized jointly by the Catholic University of S. Antonio de Murcia (Spain) and the Commission of Social Ministry of the Spanish Episcopate – International Conference (23-24) with the title: “Breaking the barriers. The partnership in the campaign against Hiv/Aids in Europe and in Central Asia”, organized by the current Irish Presidency of the European Council, in Dublin.25Ash Wednesday: beginning of Lent.271st anniversary of the enthronement of the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Communion, Rowan Williams.