Category Archives: Plenary Assembly

Plenary Assembly/1

CCEE, the Plenary Assembly kicks off today in Malta

From the President’s initial remarks to the conclusion: all you need to know about the programme

The Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences begins this afternoon with a speech by the CCEE President, Archbishop Gintaras GRUŠAS. The Assembly, held in Malta from 27 to November 30, is entitled: “New steps for a Synodal Church in Europe”. The work of the bishops will be articulated around three main guidelines: updates on the Synod, the relationship between the Synod and … Continue reading CCEE, the Plenary Assembly kicks off today in Malta »

Press Release

New steps for a synodal Church in Europe

The next CCEE Plenary Assembly in Malta, from 27 to 30 November 2023

The next Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) will be held in Valletta (Malta) from 27 to 30 November, entitled “New steps for a synodal Church in Europe”. The three main themes of the meeting will be. – Cardinal Mario Grech, General Secretary of the Synod, will present the work of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops … Continue reading New steps for a synodal Church in Europe »

Press release

Continental Assembly of the Synod, the Bishops’ commitment.

The final remarks

The bishops of the European continent have undertaken to develop further “a synodal Church,” following the indications of Pope Francis, rejoicing in how the works of the Continental Assembly in Prague were “an unmistakable sign of our unique belonging to Christ.” The commitment is presented in the concluding note of the bishops, who met in Prague from 10 to 12 February to discern the contents … Continue reading Continental Assembly of the Synod, the Bishops’ commitment. »

Press Release

The Church in Europe on the synodal path

In Prague from 5 to 12 February 2023, the Continental Assembly of the Synod

Today saw the conclusion of the CCEE Plenary Assembly, two days of online meetings to discuss the current situation in Ukraine and work on the preparation of the Continental Synodal Assembly scheduled to be held in Prague from 5 to 12 February 2023. Just over 200 participants will attend this Church Assembly in the capital of the Czech Republic: 156 will be delegates from the … Continue reading The Church in Europe on the synodal path »

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President Grušas: Let us walk together

Concluding ceremony in the Basilica of St John Lateran

The Jubilee Assembly of CCEE concluded with a Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica of St John Lateran. Welcomed by H. Em. Card. Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, the Presidents of the European Bishops’ Conferences were taken on a guided tour of the Lateran Palace. The Holy Mass was presided over by the new CCEE President, H.E. Msgr … Continue reading President Grušas: Let us walk together »

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Lithuanian Archbishop Grušas is the new CCEE President

Vice Presidents Card. Hollerich and Bishop Nemet

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius, President of the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference, is the new President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE). He was elected by the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe, gathered together in Rome for their Plenary Assembly. H.E. Monsignor Gintaras Grušas, 60, takes over as president from Italian Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, who led the CCEE from 2016 to 2021. … Continue reading Lithuanian Archbishop Grušas is the new CCEE President »

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The Hon. Tajani: Europe must rediscover its soul

Europe must rediscover its Christian roots, the centrality of the person and the role of the family

“What Europe expects from the Church” was at the centre of the socio-political analysis by the Honourable Antonio Tajani, former President of the European Parliament, speaker on the third day of the Plenary Assembly in Rome. “The religious aspect of our continent cannot be relegated to a purely private matter for each one of us – affirmed Tajani addressing the European Bishops – because history … Continue reading The Hon. Tajani: Europe must rediscover its soul »

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Bagnasco: in the Gospel is the criteria of true laicity

The meeting of the CCEE with President Mattarella at the Quirinale

Yesterday afternoon the members of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences were received at the Quirinale by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. The meeting was opened by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, President of the CEI, who read the message of Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, CCEE President. “As pastors we have the grace of living with our communities in every corner of the continent, even … Continue reading Bagnasco: in the Gospel is the criteria of true laicity »

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The icon of the Patron Saints of Europe. A symbol of the CCEE Jubilee

The silver bas-relief crafted by goldsmith Michele Affidato

The sculpture symbolising the 50th anniversary of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences was created by the Calabrian master goldsmith Michele Affidato. The work, depicting the patron saints of Europe, is a bas-relief in silver embossed entirely by hand and painted with fire enamels and gold leaf. The splendid effigy was given to Pope Francis at the end of the Eucharistic Celebration in the Vatican … Continue reading The icon of the Patron Saints of Europe. A symbol of the CCEE Jubilee »

Plenary Assembly/2

Building a Europe based on dialogue, fraternity and social friendship

A summary of the second day's work

The second day of the CCEE Plenary Assembly opened with a greeting from Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference. Outlining the prospects for a new Europe, the President of the Italian Episcopal Conference said that he dreamt of a Europe based on solidarity, with the dignity of the person at its centre, and which knows how to be a common home. “This … Continue reading Building a Europe based on dialogue, fraternity and social friendship »