Ecumenism and liturgy were the main themes on the agenda at the autumn plenary assembly of the Scandinavian Bishops’ Conference, held at Goteborg between 14 and 20 September 2007. The Apostolic Administrator of Estonia, Monsignor Philipp Jourdan, participated in some sessions of the meeting. On 15 September, the Lutheran bishops of the Nordic countries met, as planned, their Catholic counterparts to discuss some common questions. “The meeting… demonstrated that our Church leaders have to tackle many similar challenges and are willing not only to discuss them but also to cooperate, where possible”, says the press release issued on 21 September. “The bishops furnished information on developments in their respective countries”, in particular on “the education and religious practice of young people between the ages of 15 and 30”, and on intercommunion and “particular ethical questions. The Lutheran and Catholic bishops will meet anew in 2009”, announced the communiqué. The Scandinavian Bishops’ Conference called Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Letter Sacramentum caritatis and his motu proprio Summorum pontificum “sources of inspiration”, and “leaves to the individual bishops the interpretation of the general permission to celebrate Mass” in the pre-conciliar rite. “One of the pastoral letters planned for the years ahead will be dedicated to the sanctification of Sunday, and another to the catechesis of adults”, reports the communiqué. The Scandinavian bishops have also invited the faithful to participate in the next German Katholikentag (Catholic Congress) in Germany, due to be held in Osnabrück in May 2008, on the basis of the “close links between Scandinavia and the diocese” hosting the event. Other questions discussed included the pastoral care of Rom, Sinti and travelling people, the next Bishops’ Synod due to be held in Rome in 2008 and the contribution of Scandinavia to the mission of the Church.
