Category Archives: Archive

Ecumenism

CCEE-CEC Joint Committee. Declaration on the war in Ukraine

The meeting on 21 March in Bratislava, Slovakia

Members of the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) are calling leaders of the nations and the international community to do everything in their power to end the current war in Ukraine that is destroying lives and causing untold suffering. The CEC–CCEE Joint Committee issued a declaration in its meeting on 21 March in … Continue reading CCEE-CEC Joint Committee. Declaration on the war in Ukraine »

Interreligious Dialogue Section

Islam and religious pluralism in Europe

The online meeting of the Bishops and National Delegates

On the morning of 15 February 2022, the study seminar promoted by the Section for Interreligious Dialogue of the CCEE Evangelisation and Culture Commission took place. The seminar was opened by H.E. Msgr Gintaras Grušas, CCEE President and H.E. Msgr Zhibgvnes Stankevics, President of the Commission for Evangelisation and Culture. The seminar focused on two topics: Islam in Europe between Inclusion and Exclusion, developed from … Continue reading Islam and religious pluralism in Europe »

Bereavement

Hon. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, has died

The sympathy and prayers of H.E. Msgr Grušas, CCEE President

Message of condolence for the death of Hon. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament H. E. Msgr Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius and President of the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), expresses the condolences and sympathy of the whole Church across Europe to the wife, Alessandra, and children Livia and Giulio, of Hon. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, after his … Continue reading Hon. David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, has died »

Legal affairs

Challenges to the Freedom of the Church in the Context of the Pandemic

Meeting of the Legal Advisers for the European Bishops' Conferences

On the morning of 7 December 2021, twenty-six legal advisers from the European Bishops’ Conferences took part in a virtual meeting to consider the specifics of the restrictions put in place by European governments in the face of the challenge to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Covid-19). The meeting began with greetings from the CCEE President, H.E. Msgr Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius … Continue reading Challenges to the Freedom of the Church in the Context of the Pandemic »

Plenary Assembly/7

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 »

Plenary Assembly/6

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 »

Plenary Assembly/5

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 »

Plenary Assembly/4

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 »

Plenary Assembly/3

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 »