Military Bishops of Europe meet in Rome for the jubilee

The Episcopal Conference Council of Europe (CCEE) has held in Rome, from February 6 to 7, the second meeting of the Military Ordinary of Europe, under the title “Pilgrims of Hope”, within the framework of the Jubilee of the Forces Armed, police and security forces.

Participants in this meeting shared their experiences and addressed issues about the world geopolitical situation, where some countries are involved in armed conflicts. As part of the meeting, a pilgrimage was held to the Papal Basilica of Santa María la Mayor and the passage through the Holy Gate.

The military ordinariat, also known as Ordinariato Castrense, is a series of ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Catholic Church created to meet the pastoral and spiritual needs of the members of the armed forces and security forces, as well as those of their families. Each ordinariat is directed by an ordinary bishop that provides this attention in the military context.

The meeting was inaugurated with the welcome words of Mons. Gintaras Grušas, President of the CCEE and Ordinary Military for Lithuania. “We are living a historical period with many instabilities. Our special welcome is for our Ukrainian brothers, who are still in a war situation, ”said the prelate according to a CCEE statement.

The president stressed the issue of the Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”, and expressed his desire that the Holy Year will be fruitful for all people gathered in Rome, so that they can experience true hope and take it to their families and nations.

Mons. Santo Marcianò, Military Ordinary for Italy, highlighted the importance of this meeting, which strengthens the relations between military bishops at the service of the Church in Europe. “Peace is the first sign of hope, and the armed forces are peace agents, which protect the weakest and provide help in emergency situations and poor countries,” he said.

In the first session, dedicated to the theme “Military, pilgrims of hope”, Fr. Giulio Michelini, Ofm, professor of Sacred Scripture at the Theological Institute of Assisi, offered a reflection entitled “Hope against all hope.”

Based on the letter from St. Paul to the Romans (Rom 4,18), Fr. Michelini addressed the concept of Christian hope through Abraham’s biblical character, whose hope is closely linked to faith:

“Christian hope is not passive, but active. Abraham is not limited to believing in a promise; It acts accordingly, leaves your land, moves, fight and wait. In the same way, the hope that is entrusted to you is not an inert wait, but a specific commitment. You are called to bring hope through your words, your gestures and your presence, ”said the prelate.

The military bishops concluded the first day of the encounter with a pilgrimage to the Holy Gate of the Papal Basilica of Santa María la Mayor and with the Holy Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Safety of the Roman peoplechaired by Cardinal Robert Prevost, prefect of the Dicasterio for Bishops.

In his homily, the purple stressed that “we are called to be carriers and architects of hope in a world afflicted by wars, social conflicts and various crises. Let us make our life and the service we offer echo the calls of Pope Francis, so that peace in the world and the reception of those who come from outside are of the first signs of hope of this jubilee year ”.

The second day began with the intervention of General Luciano Portolano, head of the General Staff of the Italian defense. His speech focused on the commitment of the Italian Armed Forces on facing the challenges to promote international peace and security.

To close this appointment, the bishops presented the activities of their respective ordinariates and discussed issues and issues of urgent news. The next Meeting of the Military Ordinary of Europe will be held within two years in Ukraine.