Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy See Press Office has issued a statement saying that, upon the invitation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBEW), Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", will meet with the Catholic bishops of England and Wales gathered in plenary assembly at the Hinsley Hall in the northern English city of Leeds from 7 to 10 April.
The Cardinal will dialogue with Catholic bishops in the light of the Holy Father's first Encyclical "Deus caritas est" on "how to promote the Catholic identity of the Church's charitable organizations in a rapidly changing environment, characterized by challenges to the Church's traditional outreach in this field. While the Catholic Church in England and Wales has reached out to those in need in an efficacious way, historical and cultural changes warrant a reflection upon the role of the bishop as the primordial locus for charitable activity.
During his visit, Cardinal Cordes will also meet with those directly responsible for the charitable activity of the Church in these countries, as well as in other countries. Precisely in order to encourage them in a deeper reflection, on 8 April the president of "Cor Unum" will deliver a public lecture at Birmingham's Maryvale Institute, which is dedicated to offering permanent formation courses, as well as long-distance-learning courses in theology, evangelization, and catechesis. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2008; righe 19, parole 228)
