This morning in Rome, the Holy See Press Centre published the following information pertaining to next month's gathering of Bishops which will take place at the Vatican.
The organizing committee for the meeting entitled The protection of minors in the Church, which will take place at the Vatican from 21-24 February 2019, inside the New Synod Hall, met in Rome last Thursday, 10 January 2019.
At the conclusion of their working session, the Holy Father received the members of the organizing committee in audience so that they could provide him with an update about their preparations for next month's meeting. The gathering will include plenary sessions, working groups, moments of common prayer including testimonials, a penitential liturgy and a final Eucharistic celebration. Pope Francis assured the members of the organizing committee that he will be in attendance for the entire duration of the meeting.
The Holy Father has entrusted Father Federico Lombardi, SJ with the task of moderating the plenary sessions of next month's meeting.
The February Meeting on the protection of minors has a concrete purpose: the goal is that all of the Bishops clearly understand what they need to do to prevent and combat the worldwide problem of the sexual abuse of minors. Pope Francis knows that a global problem can only be resolved with a global response. The Pope wants it to be an assembly of Pastors, not an academic conference – a meeting characterized by prayer and discernment, a catechetical and working gathering.
It is fundamental for the Holy Father that when the Bishops who will come to Rome have returned to their countries and their dioceses, they understand the laws to be applied and they take the necessary steps to prevent abuse, to care for the victims, and to make sure that no case is covered up or buried.
Regarding the high expectations that have been created around the Meeting, it is important to emphasize that the Church is not at the beginning of the fight against abuse. The Meeting is a stage along the painful journey that the Church has unceasingly and decisively undertaken for over fifteen years.
Holy See Press Centre Communique
The organizing committee for the meeting entitled The protection of minors in the Church, which will take place at the Vatican from 21-24 February 2019, inside the New Synod Hall, met in Rome last Thursday, 10 January 2019.
At the conclusion of their working session, the Holy Father received the members of the organizing committee in audience so that they could provide him with an update about their preparations for next month's meeting. The gathering will include plenary sessions, working groups, moments of common prayer including testimonials, a penitential liturgy and a final Eucharistic celebration. Pope Francis assured the members of the organizing committee that he will be in attendance for the entire duration of the meeting.
The Holy Father has entrusted Father Federico Lombardi, SJ with the task of moderating the plenary sessions of next month's meeting.
Communication issued by Alessandro Gisotti
Director ad interim of the Holy See Press Centre
The February Meeting on the protection of minors has a concrete purpose: the goal is that all of the Bishops clearly understand what they need to do to prevent and combat the worldwide problem of the sexual abuse of minors. Pope Francis knows that a global problem can only be resolved with a global response. The Pope wants it to be an assembly of Pastors, not an academic conference – a meeting characterized by prayer and discernment, a catechetical and working gathering.
It is fundamental for the Holy Father that when the Bishops who will come to Rome have returned to their countries and their dioceses, they understand the laws to be applied and they take the necessary steps to prevent abuse, to care for the victims, and to make sure that no case is covered up or buried.
Regarding the high expectations that have been created around the Meeting, it is important to emphasize that the Church is not at the beginning of the fight against abuse. The Meeting is a stage along the painful journey that the Church has unceasingly and decisively undertaken for over fifteen years.
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