The Slovene Bishops’ Assembly met for its 22nd ordinary Assembly at Repnje on 10 May. The annual meeting with the Union of Superiors General of Slovenia (Korus) also took place on the same morning. The main issue discussed was the Church’s pastoral ministry in the field of education, one of the priorities already indicated by the first plenary Council of the Slovene Church in 2001. From this reflection, says Msgr. Andrej Saje, secretary of the Slovene episcopate, it emerged that “this field presents diversified and not yet properly coordinated activities. The Diocesan Pastoral Days held at Koper on 14 May, and the forthcoming Days at Ljubljana and Maribor on 4 June, are an occasion to assess the work so far carried out and indicate guidelines for the future. The Slovene Church is committed to the institution of private schools of every kind and grade with a view to having as wide a choice as possible in an educational curriculum able to provide not only education itself but formation in values, especially moral values, human relationships, solidarity, mutual respect and dialogue”. “Schools adds Msgr. Saje must offer as wide a spectrum of general culture as possible. Greater attention also needs to be paid to vocational schools”. During the meeting, Bishop Franc Kramberger of Maribor, president of the Slovene episcopate, thanked men and women religious for their contribution in the field of education and training and their help in pastoral service in the parishes. The bishops continued their assembly by tackling some further pastoral questions. They were informed of the activities of the Press Office and of the meeting with the journalists and media of lay inspiration on 6 May. Lastly, the permanent Council of the Slovene Bishops’ Conference was instituted; its members comprise Msgr. Franc Kramberger, chairman, Msgr. Alojz Uran, vice-chairman, and Msgr. Andrej Saje, general secretary.
