Category Archives: General Secretaries

General Secretaries

“The Reform of the Ecclesiastical Structures in a Missionary and Synodal Perspective”

Among the highlights of the programme: The meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew I and a visit to Nicaea.

From 15 to 18 June 2025, in Istanbul, the general secretaries of the bishops’ conferences of 29 European countries gathered for their annual meeting on the theme “The Reform of the Ecclesiastical Structures in a Missionary and Synodal Perspective”. Special moments of the meeting were also a visit to Nicaea and a meeting with His Holiness the Patriarch Bartholomew I in Fanar. After official welcome … Continue reading “The Reform of the Ecclesiastical Structures in a Missionary and Synodal Perspective” »

General Secretaries

The Annual Meeting of the General Secretaries in Istanbul

The programme sees a meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew I and a visit to Nicaea

The annual meeting of the General Secretaries of the European Bishops’ Conferences will take place in Istanbul, from 15 to 18 June 2025, organised by the CCEE in collaboration with the Turkish Bishops’ Conference. The theme for this year is: “The Reform of the Ecclesiastical Structures in a Missionary and Synodal Perspective”. The location chosen by the CCEE for this 52nd annual meeting of the … Continue reading The Annual Meeting of the General Secretaries in Istanbul »

General Secretaries

The CCEE’s service in the dynamism between unity and diversity

In Madrid from 16 to 19 June

Hosted by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, the meeting of the General Secretaries took place in Madrid from 16 to 19 June 2024. The meeting, entitled: the CCEE’s service in the dynamism between unity and diversity, saw the participation of 30 General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences. After the opening greetings and the presentation of the new General Secretaries, participants were offered three reports starting from … Continue reading The CCEE’s service in the dynamism between unity and diversity »

General Secretaries

Ecclesia in Europa and the Synod, the annual meeting of the General Secretaries

From 22 to 25 June in Tirana

From 22 to 25 June, the annual meeting of the General Secretaries of the European Bishops’ Conferences was held in Tirana, Albania, entitled: “From Ecclesia in Europa to the Synod on synodality: The Church in Europe on the move 20 years after Saint John Paull II’s Exhortation”. Welcomed by the Albanian Bishops’ Conference, the General Secretaries also had the opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass in … Continue reading Ecclesia in Europa and the Synod, the annual meeting of the General Secretaries »

Bereavement

Monsignor Ivo Fürer, Bishop Emeritus of St. Gallen, has died

He was the CCEE General Secretary from 1977 until 1995

Msgr. Ivo Fürer, Bishop Emeritus of St. Gallen, died on Tuesday 12 July; he was 93 years old and had been ill with Parkinson’s disease for some time. From 1977 to 1995 he served as General Secretary of the CCEE, and from 1995 to 2006 as Bishop of St. Gallen. The funeral service will take place next Monday, 18 July at 10 am in St. … Continue reading Monsignor Ivo Fürer, Bishop Emeritus of St. Gallen, has died »

General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences

The Church in Europe on the Synodal Path

43 participants at the annual meeting that took place in Zagreb

From 30 June to 3 July, at the Headquarters of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, was held the meeting of the General Secretaries of the European Bishops’ Conferences entitled, “The Church in Europe on the Synodal Path”. Welcoming the participants was H. Em. Card. Josip Bozanić, Archbishop of Zagreb, who, in his speech, stressed the generosity of people, especially young people, in helping those in need … Continue reading The Church in Europe on the Synodal Path »

General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences

Authenticity of the Church and Credibility in Her Mission starting from the Encyclical Ecclesiam Suam

The annual meeting in electronic format

Many times, we hear that the Church needs to be more credible and that if the world does not believe, it is because the Church is not credible enough. It is precisely from this conviction that the meeting of the General Secretaries of the European Bishops’ Conferences began. Two days of online meetings brought together 48 participants connected from their respective headquarters, to reflect together on … Continue reading Authenticity of the Church and Credibility in Her Mission starting from the Encyclical Ecclesiam Suam »

The Annual Meeting of the General Secretaries

The Hierarchical and Charismatic Dimensions in the Church

St. Mary's College Oscott, Birmingham

The 47th meeting of the General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe took place from 1 to 4 July in Birmingham. The Rector and seminarians of St. Mary’s College Oscott in Birmingham welcomed the 40 participants from 27 Episcopal Conferences, precisely on the day when Pope Francis announced the date of canonization of the Blessed Card. John Henry Newman who received his Confirmation there … Continue reading The Hierarchical and Charismatic Dimensions in the Church »

General Secretaries

Do not be afraid, I am with you!

46th Annual Meeting in Cyprus

The culture of the encounter was the focus of the annual meeting of the General Secretaries of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences in Europe, from June 29 to July 2, in Cyprus, the Island of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas. In Nicosia, the General Secretaries confirmed their commitment to promoting the culture of encounter within the Church, in ecumenical relations, and with the whole world. This … Continue reading Do not be afraid, I am with you! »

General Secretaries

The culture of the encounter

By its very nature, the Church is based “on relationships.” In her, people meet God and meet one another. This is why she is also “in relationship” with all men and women. Pope Francis makes a constant appeal for the whole Church to commit herself in promoting the culture of the encounter. In Europe, this is an urgency on many levels. But how can we … Continue reading The culture of the encounter »