Pope wishes European bishops’ ‘green’ pilgrimage

(September 3, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI sent his good wishes to participants in an environmental pilgrimage organized by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, CCEE, hoping the initiative will help arouse a renewed commitment in all to protect God’s creation. Writing on behalf of the Pope, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a brief message to CCEE president, Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, saying the Holy Father “wishes that the significant event arouse a renewed commitment in the defence of the environment, reaffirming the undeniable respect for the divine gift of creation.” The September 1-5 pilgrimage, organized by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences Commission for the Safeguard of Creation has as its theme, “If you want to cultivate peace, protect Creation,” the theme of Pope Benedict’s message for World Day of Peace 2010. Cardinal Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, kicked off the ‘green’ pilgrimage with a Mass in Esztergom Basilica in Budapest on Monday evening. Among the participants are European bishops and the national delegates for environmental issues. The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on Sunday at Austria’s national Marian shrine of Mariazell, after passing through Slovakia.