Courage and patience ” “

The Plenary Assembly of COMECE bishops was held on 22 May in Rome, not in March in Brussels as originally planned because of the conclave, and of course in order to meet Pope Francis. In the day’s work behind closed doors “we addressed the 2014 European elections and how to intervene in a positive way in the debate on Europe in the coming months, focusing in particular on the social consequences of the economic crisis”, the Secretary of COMECE, Fr. Patrick Daly, told SIR Europe. “The bishops have a special sensitivity for the most vulnerable in our society, the marginalized, as well as for the situation of migrants in Europe and the unemployed youth. Despite the many reasons for concern”, Fr. Daly added, “there is confidence in the European project and hope that the EU will use all the tools provided by European culture to tackle these problems of great complexity with a spirit of solidarity. And most important in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity, that is so important in the European family of nations”. The meeting with Pope Francis. The audience with Pope Francis took place on 23 May. It was attended by the bishops of COMECE Presidency, Bishop Gianni Ambrosio, bishop of Piacenza-Bobbio, Bishop Virgil Bercea, Bishop of Oradea Mare of the Romanians, Monsignor Jean Kocklerols, Auxiliary Bishop of Mechelen-Brussels and Fr. Daly, led by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, COMECE President and one of the eight sages nominated by Pope Bergoglio to reflect on the renovation project of the Roman curia. Card. Marx “presented to the Pope the situation in Europe, the mission of COMECE and the reflections that emerged in yesterday’s meeting”. The Holy Father, Daly said, “cognizant of COMECE’s commitments, has shown great interest in our work and in the fulfilment of COMECE’s vision”. The Holy Father also displayed “an excellent knowledge of European culture, in full awareness of the importance of the European project he shared his great sensitivity for the Christian roots of this project”. According to Fr. Daly, Pope Francis is fully aware, “of the Churches’ efforts to support the progress of the European journey in the spirit of Ecclesia in Europa, whose 10th anniversary we celebrate this year”. Fr. Daly added: “The message we carry with us after the audience is ‘Courage and patience'”.Meetings with political institutions. With this encouragement the COMECE bishops will take part in a set of delicate meetings: the first in order of time is the traditional annual meeting between EU institutions and the religious representatives of the major Churches and religious communities in EU countries, scheduled for 30 May. “Putting citizens at heart Europe in times of change” is the theme of the event. Twenty Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Hindu religious leaders will represent religious communities. The Catholic Church will be represented by three bishops: Monsignor Jean Kockerols from Belgium, Msgr Youssef Soueif (Cyprus) and Msgr Manuel Clemente (Portugal). The meeting will be equally attended by the President of the Executive, José Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and by the Vice-President of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, László Surjánil, representing the political realm. The issue of citizenship will be discussed again on June 20 in a trialogue seminar between COMECE, the “Church and Society” Commission of the Conference of European Churches and the political representatives of the EU Commission.The “Week of Hope”. COMECE is organizing a set of events due to take place June 23-27 in the heart of the European quarter in Brussels to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s “Ecclesia in Europa”. “Today, in the light of the present crisis, scepticism and doubt at times seem to have the upper hand. However, looking at what we have achieved so far in Europe, we must remain hopeful”, the COMECE bishops wrote. It is the underlying motivation for the “Week of Hope” that will open Sunday, June 23 with a Mass in the Chapel of the Resurrection while from Monday 24 to Thursday 27 every day there will be a time of prayer in the morning (Start your day), an “appetizing debate”, (Have a break) in the middle of the day, and an exchange of views in the evening (Finish your day). Reflections will focus on themes pertaining to the presence of believers in today’s society, coexistence between different faiths, the public role of women, persecution and martyrdom, the service to the poor and marginalized people, education, the economy, the fight against crime and migration. Each theme will be introduced by the figures of saints and blessed of the Catholic Church (Father Jerzy Popieluszko, Hildegard Brujan, Pedro Poveda Fr Pino Puglisi, Hildegard of Bingen John Henry Newman). The week will conclude on June 27 with a Mass in the church of Notre Dame du Sablon (www.comece.org).