“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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

The Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences opened this afternoon in Rome with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Pope Francis in the Vatican Basilica. Sixty participants took part in this jubilee event to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the CCEE’s establishment. The Holy Father, in his homily, thanked the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences for the “the reconstruction work carried out … Continue reading Let us help today’s Europe to rediscover the ever-youthful face of Jesus »

The Jubilee Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences will begin tomorrow afternoon with Mass presided over by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica. At the end of the Holy Mass, the participants in the Plenary Assembly will gather together at Peter’s tomb to renew their profession of faith. After a period of silence and a moment of personal prayer at the tombs of … Continue reading CCEE Plenary Assembly begins »