Press-release: Nordiska biskopskonferensens möte i Essen-Werden

(06.03.2015) Spring Session of the Nordic Bishops’ Conference 

Essen, Germany, 2 to 6 March 2015 

From 2 to 6 March 2015 the Nordic Bishops’ Conference held its spring session at Kardinal-Hengsbach-Haus, the conference centre of the Diocese of Essen in Germany. The local Bishop, Dr. Franz-Josef Overbeck had kindly invited the Nordic Bishops to be the guests of his Diocese. 

Upcoming synod of Bishops 

A central theme on the agenda was the preparation for the upcoming ordinary synod of Bishops on the “vocation and mission of the family in the church and world of today.” The survey suggested by the Secretariate of the Synod is now being carried out in the dioceses, and the bishops are waiting for the results. 

At the meeting the bishops pointed out the difficulties even for practicing families to transmit the faith. Another challenge is the situation of divorced and remarried persons. It was suggested that part of a solution could be a simplification of the process of marriage annulment. If more radical changes should be made regarding admittance to Holy Communion it has to happen according to strictly objective criteria. 

To enhance the pastoral care for families and show their interest the Bishops recommended the Nordic Family Conference to be held in Denmark from 1 to 3 May 2015. 
Challenges and changes in Europe 

Europe is going through quite some changes. The attitude towards Europe varies from country to country. The Catholic Church has for many years been taking keen interest in the development of Europe. The coverage of this vast field is entrusted to COMECE, the Committee of European Bishops’ Conferences to which also the Nordic Bishops’ Conference is sending a delegate. This time the Secretary General of COMECE, Fr. Patrick Daly had come to present the vision and actual situation of the European Union. 

Visits during the Conference 

During their stay in Essen the Bishops visited some social welfare centres in the Diocese and also paid a visit to the offices of Bonifatiuswerk in Paderborn to meet the board of governors and the Secretary General. 

The situation in Oslo concerning registration of members of the Catholic Church 
The accusations against the Diocese of Oslo and specifically against Bishop Bernt Eidsvig and a collaborator of the Bishops’ Office are of great concern for the Nordic Bishops’ Conference. The other Bishops of the Conference know Bishop Eidsvig as a sincere and honest pastor of his church. Therefore, they are confident that the full collaboration between Bishop Eidsvig and the civil authorities will lead to a complete clarification of the matter. 

Elections 

The four years mandate period of the President and Standing Committee of the Nordic Bishops’ Conference is expiring. The planned elections for these functions 
has been postponed and will be on the agenda of the next plenary session to be held in Copenhagen in September 2015.