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Congress to Study Challenge of Migrants to Church in Europe Print E-mail
Written by CISA   
Thursday, 11 September 2008
The Catholic Church in Europe will next week hold a conference on the pastoral implication of African migrants.

The conference comes in the wake of over 70 deaths off the coast of Malta of would-be African migrants to Europe. Reacting to the news last Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI said migration has become a global emergency that demands solidarity and effective political solutions.

About 30 delegates from 21 European bishops' conferences, including bishops, experts and national directors with responsibilities for migrants, will attended the meeting in Vienna, Austria, September 12-14.

There will be representatives from the conferences of Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, England and Wales, France, Germany, Hungary, the International Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the Ukraine (Byzantine Rite).

Other representatives will come from the Holy See, Caritas Europa and other organisations. The meeting has been arranged under the auspices of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) and will take place at the invitation of the Austrian Bishops' Conference.

The fundamental theme which the participants will discuss is African migrants in Europe and in the Church: pastoral responsibilities. In particular, they will reflect first of all on the African continent and its significant aspects in history, culture, religion and society.

The picture will be completed with a series of testimonies about political refugees, asylum seekers, and young people who have emigrated for reasons of study. Each participant will report on the situation in their own country, highlighting key problems and concerns. Subsequently there will be discussion about the Church's pastoral responsibilities.

In the course of the meeting, reports will be presented on the activities undertaken by the following European Catholic organizations. The timetable will include moments of prayer and the celebration of Mass.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 September 2008 )