Organised by CCEE, the second meeting of the Military Ordinaries of Europe, entitled ‘Military Pilgrims of Hope’, was held in Rome from 6 to 7 February 2025, on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Forces, scheduled for 8 and 9 February 2025. The participants were able to share their experiences and raise questions regarding the current situation in the world, where some countries are involved in armed conflicts. Part of the meeting was also a pilgrimage to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major and the passing of the Holy Door.
The meeting was opened by greetings from H.E. Archbishop Gintaras GRUŠAS, President of CCEE and Military Ordinary for Lithuania. ‘We are living a historical period with many instabilities. Our special welcome goes to our Ukrainian brothers who are still in a situation of war’. The president emphasised the theme of the Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and expressed the wish that the Jubilee would be fruitful for all the troops gathered in Rome, so that they could experience true Hope and bring it to their families and nations. H.E. Archbishop Santo MARCIANÒ, Military Ordinary for Italy, pointed out the importance of this meeting, which strengthens relations between military bishops at the service of the Church in Europe. ‘Peace is a first sign of hope, and the armed forces are peacemakers, protecting the weak, helping in emergency situations and in poor countries’.
In the first working session dedicated to the theme Military, pilgrims of hope, Fr. Giulio MICHELINI, OFM, professor of Sacred Scripture at the Theological Institute of Assisi, offered a reflection entitled ‘Hope against all hope’. Taking his cue from the Pauline letter to the Romans (Rom 4:18), Fr. Michelini presented hope through the biblical character of Abraham, whose hope is closely linked to faith. ‘Christian hope is not passive, but active. Abraham does not merely believe a promise; he acts on it, he leaves his land, he moves, he struggles and he hopes. In the same way, the hope entrusted to you is not an inert expectation, but a concrete commitment. You are called to bring hope through your words, your gestures, your presence‘.
The military bishops concluded the first day of the meeting with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major and with the Holy Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani, presided over by H. Em. Card. Robert PREVOST, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, who stressed in his homily: ‘We are called to be bearers and builders of hope in a world afflicted by wars, social conflicts and various crises. Let our lives and the service we offer be an echo of the appeals of the Holy Father Francis, so that peace in the world and welcome to those who come from outside may be among the first signs of hope in this Jubilee Year‘.
The second day of the Meeting opened with a speech by General Luciano PORTOLANO, Chief of the Italian Defence Staff. The theme of his speech focused on the commitment of the Italian Armed Forces in facing the challenges to promote peace and international security. The General offered a comprehensive analysis of the situation of ongoing global conflicts, starting with the war in Ukraine, reiterating that in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, it is necessary to ensure security and economic development, and the recognition of rights and duties. Quoting Pope St. John XXIII’s Pacem in Terris, he recalled that truth is one of the four pillars on which peace is sustained, along with justice, love and freedom; a peace that is being continually attacked and weakened by ‘pressure’ campaigns (cognitive warfare) that constitute a threat particularly felt by Western nations.
In the last working session, the bishops presented the activities of their Ordinariates and discussed topical issues.
The next meeting of the Military Ordinaries of Europe will be held in two years’ time in Ukraine.
