A delegation from the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union has come to Rome to meet with Pope Francis.
POPE FRANCIS
'Together they discussed the challenges facing the Church throughout Europe, such as the continued decline of men entering the priesthood'.
BP. FRANZ-JOSEF OVERBECK
Vice-President, COMECE
“I truly am worried about the Church's situation of the lack of priests, and not only in Germany. It's how we lose the sacramental character of the Church, and it can't be this way, it shouldn't be this way.”
They also addressed the increasing number of migrants coming into Europe, a subject which has been at the heart of Francis' papacy.
BP. FRANZ-JOSEF OVERBECK
Vice-President, COMECE
“Seeing that the Mediterranean Sea is the largest cemetery in Europe, what can we say without being honest? For me this means that migration is an important issue for the coming years, not just the next two or three years but maybe the next century.”
The delegation has been in Rome for three days. Prior to meeting the Pope they met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
As the bishops return to their dioceses, one of their biggest challenges will be to see how the Church in Europe can help rebuild society after the pandemic.
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