The Swiss bishops have extended warm thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the first national meeting of Catholic youth and the Pope’s recent visit. “This event will undoubtedly prove fruitful for the Church in Switzerland”, says a communiqué issued at the end of the 264th ordinary Assembly of the Swiss bishops, held from 21 to 23 June. “The bishops says the statement welcome with joy the pleas being made by many young people for a follow up to the national meeting”, even though they consider it “important” first to make a preliminary assessment of the event. During their assembly, the bishops spoke once again of the question relating to the “grave” errors committed in eucharistic celebrations: errors such as intercommunion, the improper participation of the laity in eucharistic prayer, or the use of unauthorized eucharistic prayers. These and other cases had been emphasized by the bishops in a letter published immediately after the publication by the Holy See of the Instruction “Redemptoris Sacramentum”. The presidency of the Episcopal Conference and those with special responsibility for the liturgy will tackle the question shortly and decide “what concrete steps to take”. The bishops, lastly, spoke of the adoption by the Swiss Council of States of so-called “registered partnerships for persons of the same sex”, i.e. the civil registration of same-sex unions. In an open letter to Council members, the bishops asked that “the unique character of marriage between man and woman be protected in an unconditional manner”.
