The bishops of Europe are meeting with Holy See representatives to strategize about pastoral work in universities.
This
four-day congress in Munich on "Formation, Education and the Gospel:
Perspectives for University Pastoral Work in Europe" ends Sunday.
The
congress, organized by the Council of European Bishops' Conferences
(CCEE), has drawn together 60 delegates from various countries as well
as representatives from the Congregation for Catholic Education and the
Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers.
A CCEE communiqué
explained that the meeting's objective is to "gather and evaluate the
experiences of the past and reflect on the means and priority areas for
future collaboration over university pastoral work in Europe."
The
participants will also consider "the many changes brought about by the
Bologna Process, a reform which sanctioned the harmonization of systems
of higher education at the European level and had numerous consequences
for the work of the Church in universities in Europe."
Some of the
questions that the congress will address are: "Is it possible to live a
faith experience in between courses and exams? Who are the protagonists
in the Church's pastoral service in this sphere?"
As well,
participants will discuss the areas where "lived faith and theological
reflection succeed in entering into a living dialogue with scientific
reflection."
Those gathered will have times of prayer and shared
liturgies. On Saturday, they will visit the monument to members of
the White Rose Group, an organization of German Christian students who
opposed the Nazi regime in a nonviolent way.