Bishops met to discuss current issues

Bishops from the Czech Republic met on October 23–24, 2012 at their plenary in Vranov u Brna. On Tuesday evening, they celebrated the mass, presided by Archbishop Jan Graubner of Olomouc, at the cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul in Brno.

Vranov u Brna: Scheduled in the program of the 91st plenary that took place at the Spiritual Centre of St. Francis de Paul was a discussion on current issues concerning the Church, its liturgy and pastoral care. Among many upcoming events bishops agreed to organize a national pilgrimage to the Holy Land on the occasion of the end of the Year of Faith in November 2013. They also spoke about a national priest pilgrimage to Velehrad “for the renewal of faith and sanctification of bishops, priests and deacons” on the occasion of the Year of Faith and the national jubilee of Ss. Cyril and Methodius (to commemorate the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of the “Apostles to the Slavs” to Great Moravia).

These two significant themes of the year 2013 were discussed several times during the plenary. Bishops spoke about various existing initiatives for the Year of Faith (e.g. “Nicodemus’ Night” proposed by the Diocese of Brno). Bishops also agreed that the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Jubilee should be reflected in youth pastoral care in 2013.

Scheduled in the discussions were also other themes proposed by the Youth Department of the Czech Bishops’ Conference (CBC). Bishops saw the film “The Fruit of the Spirit” about preparations of this year’s National Youth Meeting in Žďár nad Sázavou and were also informed about preparations of the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro as well as of the Central European Catholic Days to be held this November in Prague. Bishops also evaluated work of commissions and councils of the CBC and spoke about the Church’s activity in charity and education fields.

Bishops approved a proposal to enlist in the national liturgical calendar the Feast of Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest. Cardinal Dominik Duka, Archbishop Jan Graubner and all the present bishops also discussed current situation in the Church-State relationship, especially the property settlement. Bishops agreed that all future steps are to be taken in cooperation with the Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic and the Federation of Jewish Communities – institutions included in the settlement.

Next plenary of Czech and Moravian bishops will be held on January 22–23, 2013 in Prague, at the St. Thomas’ monastery of the Augustinian order. On January 21 it will be preceded by an ecumenical worship service on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Mass of the plenary meeting will be held at the church of St. Charles Borromeo to commemorate the 25th anniversary of death of Borromean sister Vojtěcha Hasmandová, a beatification candidate.