81st plenary assembly of the Czech Bishops’ Conference

On July 2 and 3, 2010 Czech, Moravian and Silesian bishops together with representatives of superiors of Men and Women religious orders will meet at their 81st plenary assembly in the Moravian place of pilgrimage Velehrad.

Prague: As it has become almost a tradition, the Czech Bishops’ Conference has chosen the Moravian pilgrimage site Velehrad as the location for this-year summer plenary meeting. They will meet again before the Feast of Ss Cyril and Methodius - the Day of Slavic Apostles, when the National pilgrimage to Velehrad takes place. Plenary assembly will by directed by Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka OP, a newly elected President of the Czech Bishops’ Conference.

During the meeting bishops will welcome two guests: Mons. Jean-Louise Bruguèse OP, Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, and Mons. Jan Mráz, Rector of the Pontifical College Nepomucenum (Pontificio Collegio Nepomuceno) in Rome.

Scheduled in the plenary assembly, there are several topics among others: project of the Bible for Youth, proposal of the guidelines of the Czech Bishops’ Conference for the preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Czech Republic and pastoral activities in health care service. Bishop Petr Esterka, auxiliary of Brno entrusted with spiritual care of Czech Catholics abroad, will get bishops acquainted with the situation of the pastoral activities of our countrymen abroad. With Mons. Jean-Louise Bruguèse OP, bishops will discuss the formation of future priests and with Mons. Jan Mráz, the perspectives of the Pontifical College Nepomucenum (Pontificio Collegio Nepomuceno) in Rome, which is one of the most significant institutions of the Czech Church abroad that makes the upcountry and background for students of theology and priests, extending their education on the pontifical universities in Rome.

On Monday July 5, 2010 on the Feast of Ss Cyril and Methodius bishops will celebrate the Eucharistic ceremony on the open space in front of the basilica in Velehrad. Cardinal Miloslav Vlk will be the main celebrant of this pilgrimage Mass. Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka will deliver the homily and at the end of the divine service he will hand over several awards (Order of Ss Cyril and Methodius, Thankful Appreciation and Memorial Medal of the Czech Bishops’ Conference) to significant personalities. In the afternoon Bishop – Apostolic Exarch Ladislav Hučko will celebrate the Byzantine-Slavic liturgy of the St. John Chrysostom in the Velehrad basilica. 

On Saturday, July 3, at 3.30 pm, a press briefing with the Prague Archbishop Dominik Duka, President of the Czech Bishops’ Conference will be held at the premises of the Stojanovo Grammar School in Velehrad.