The press conference presenting the 3rd edition of the European Catholic Social Days was held at the Holy See Press Office on Friday 10 December with the theme: “Europe beyond the pandemic: a new beginning”.
Presenting the event that will take place in Bratislava from 17 to 20 March 2022, with a focus on the Christian contribution to a more solidarity-based, social and just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the speakers included: H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ; H.E. Msgr Gintaras Grušas, H.E. Msgr Stanislav Zvolenský, and H.Em. Card. Peter Turkson.
The initiative is promoted by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Slovak Bishops’ Conference, in collaboration with the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development. The aim is to promote dialogue on social justice within the Church and among Europeans, particularly in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its serious effects on the political, economic and social systems of European societies.
Around 300 participants, including Church representatives, EU and national politicians, academics, young people as well as members of Catholic social movements and organisations, who will jointly address and discuss some of the main issues of concern to the Church in a context marked by demographic imbalances, technological disruption and ecological injustice.
Three main sessions are planned: a) democratic transition and family life; b) technological and digital transition; c) ecological transition.
Participants also include Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner in charge of Democracy and Demography, H.E. Msgr Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The complete list of participants, as well as the full programme of the event, will be published on the official website: www.catholicsocialdays.eu
While the organisers hope to be able to meet in person, the format of the event will be adapted to any measures taken by local authorities in the context of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two previous editions were organised in Gdansk and Madrid, in 2009 and 2014 respectively.
Watch the Video of the Press Conference
