Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) – "Religious Life in Europe: History of Hope, Hope for History" was the theme of the 14th General Assembly of the Union of European Conferences of Major Superiors (UCESM) that has held from February 8 to 14 in Czestochowa, at the Archdiocesan Major Seminary. The Assembly was attended by major superiors of religious institutes from 37 National Conference of 25 European countries.
"Religious life is a gift for the Europe today. We must give a true testimony of hope for Europe," said Sister Lutgardis Craeynest, President of UCESM. "The mission of consecrated persons must be the mission not only ad gentes, but also inter gentes," noted Fr. José Cristo Rey García Paredes, CMF.
Every two years, the General Assembly of all the National Conferences is a place for training, discussion, exchange, and decision making. In 1980, the first General Assembly was held in Paris with several presidents and secretaries general of the National Conferences in Western Europe, in view of the foundation of what would become UCESM. The Second General Assembly, in preparation for the foundation of UCESM, took place in Rome in 1981, during which the official name of the Union was selected and there was a vote on the canonical statutes. In 1983, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life approved the statutes. (MF/SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/2/2010)
