The Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), held in Salzburg, Austria, has just concluded.

The theme of the conference was – Evangelisation and Synodality: The Mission of Today’s Priests in Europe. The Bishop of Gozo, Anton Teuma, attended as a representative of the Maltese Episcopal Conference.

Among the significant contributions was an address by Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, who spoke on how synodality is, in itself, a form of evangelisation. He further noted that synodality is practised within local Churches, as each one constitutes the Holy People of God in its entirety.

There was also an address by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-Sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, who outlined the characteristics of a priest as described in Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation *Evangelii Gaudium.*

The Bishops present at the Conference engaged in discussion and prayer regarding what God desires of the priests of His Church at this particular moment in history.

When asked about this, Bishop Anton expressed the hope that “at the upcoming meeting of the Maltese Episcopal Conference, we will have the opportunity to further explore these important topics in the life of the Church.”

He concluded by saying, “I thank God for this experience of faith and formation shared with fellow Bishops from across Europe. May the Holy Spirit continue the good work He has begun in us.”

Held at the Bildungszentrum St Virgil and featuring debates, group work, times of prayer, and Eucharistic celebrations – the Assembly also included the election of the new Presidency of the CCEE, where H.E. Mgr. Under Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius and President of the CCEE, two new Secretaries have been appointed: Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Ireland, and Archbishop Dražen Kutleša of Zagreb, Croatia.

Photos: Diocese of Gozo

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