CCEE: plenary assembly on the family in Europe”Demography and family in Europe” is the theme of the plenary assembly of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) due to be held in Zagreb from 30 September to 3 October, on the invitation of Cardinal Josip Bozanic, Archbishop of Zagreb, and Mgr. Marin Srakic, President of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference. To define “the role of the family institution in European society also with reference to the demographic trend, policies for the support of the family adopted by the individual states, and the pastoral ministry exercised by the Church”, the CCEE has promoted a survey among the Bishops’ Conferences. The aim of the survey is to gather data on the demographic trend and its impact on families, on work and social assistance; on the relation between immigration and local growth; on programmes of adoption and plans for the support of large families; and on the “definition of the family institution within the various constitutions”. On the basis of the data produced by the survey, the bishops will then debate the measures being implemented and those to be adopted by the Church, prospects for the years ahead and their economic, social and cultural consequences. The survey was presented by Lola Velarde, President of the European Network of the Institute for Family Policies; Mgr. Carlos Simón Vázquez, Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family; and Virgilijus Rudzinskas, Lithuanian physician. As far as ecumenism is concerned, apart from dialogue with the Conference of European Churches, the programme of the 2nd Catholic-Orthodox Forum on “The Relation between Church and State” (Rhodes, 18-22 October) will be presented. Part of the assembly’s work will be dedicated to dialogue with the European institutions (EU and Council of Europe) through the contributions of Mgr. André Dupuy, Apostolic Nunzio to the EU, Mgr. Aldo Giordano, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Council of Europe, and Father Piotr Mazurkiewicz, general secretary of COMECE. The Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences will be briefed on current issues such as the question of Roma in Europe and WYD (16-21 August 2011). The activities of the Observatory on cases of discrimination and intolerance to Christians in Europe will also be described to them. They will then proceed to the approval of the CCEE programme of activities for the forthcoming year. On 1st October they will be received by Ivo Josipovic, President of the Republic of Croatia. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Mgr. Mario Roberto Cassari, Apostolic Nunzio in Croatia, and delegates of SECAM and CELAM will also intervene during the assembly. Italy: permanent council of bishopsThe Permanent Episcopal Council of Italian bishops will open next Monday, 27 September (5.00 pm), with a keynote address by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, President of the Italian Bishops’s Conference (CEI). The Council – explains the National Office for Social Communications – will be called to approve the programme of the General Assembly of Italian Bishops, due to be held at Assisi from 8 to 11 November. It will also be called to establish procedures for the publication for the Pastoral Guidelines for the decade 2010-2020, dedicated to the “educational emergency”. Particular attention will be devoted to the issue of contributions for the support of the clergy, “in view of their re-launch”, says a statement put out by the CEI. The message for Pro-Life Day in 2011 will also be approved, and information given on the 46th Social Week of Italian Catholics, scheduled to be held in Reggio Calabria from 14 to 17 October. The Permanent Council, lastly, will proceed to the election of the members of the Episcopal Commissions for the next five years. The press conference for the presentation of the final communiqué, with the participation of Mgr. Mariano Crociata, general secretary of the CEI, will be held in the Sala Marconi of Vatican Radio (Piazza Pia 3, Rome) on 1 October 2010 at 12.00.United Kingdom: the bishops thank the PopeThe Catholic bishops of England and Wales have expressed their joy “for the success of the recent visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom” and in a press release also express “their sincere appreciation to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for having invited the Holy Father”. In their joint communiqué the bishops also wish to thank “the countless people who came to show their affection and support for the Holy See. Particular tribute should be paid to all those who helped to organize and stage the visit, both at the national and local level”. Cardinal Keith O’Brien, on behalf of the Scottish bishops, has also expressed special gratitude to Queen Elizabeth and “deep appreciation” to the government of the UK, the Scottish government and the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow for their collaboration with and support for the “day of days” which permitted 200,000 people to see the Pope on 16 September. The Scottish episcopate also thanks the press for its wide coverage of the apostolic visit and for reporting the Pope’s words. “The success of the visit is a success of which the whole of Scotland can be proud”, says the letter which does not fail to express thanks to the members of the other churches and denominations “which joined with us in welcoming the Holy Father”.
