Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brussels (Fides Service) – On May 9, Europe Day which recalls the history making event on May 1950 when the bases were laid for a united Europe, the Bishops of the COMECE Commission of Bishops Conferences of the European Community will announce a “Santiago 2004 project” for a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) to celebrate European unity.
The pilgrimage will start on 17 April from the Benedictine monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos. More than 300 pilgrim delegates from Catholic Bishops conferences of the present and future European Union will take part to underlined the entry of 10 more new member states on 1 May 2004. The pilgrimage will arrive in Santiago on 21 April.
The year 2004 is also a Holy Year for the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which through the centuries has been a destination for pilgrims from all over Europe and therefore a symbol of continental unity.
With the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela Julian Barrio Barrio, the Bishops of COMECE have issued a message “Let’s go to Compostela! On the road to European Unity” call also on all believers to take part in the pilgrimage “political unity of Europe renders necessary a common path ever more impregnated with its spiritual and religious heritage.” MS (Fides Service 8/5/2003 EM lines 22 Words: 225)
