At the invitation
of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB),
Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council "Cor
Unum", the Dicastery of the Holy See responsible for promoting the
charitable activities of the Church, will travel to the United
States from 3-10 November for a meeting with the Bishops, gathered
at their Plenary Assembly in Baltimore. The Cardinal will reflect on
the theological data, reaffirmed by the first Encyclical of Pope
Benedict XVI, "God is Love," with the Prelates and leaders of
Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services.
The aim of the visit is to share experiences in the field of
Catholic charity. From the nation’s very beginnings, the Church has
been at the forefront of providing for those in need both within and
outside the United States. Today, there are new challenges and
opportunities given the rapidly changing demographic and social
fabric. The mission of diakonia remains indispensable both
for the poor and the very essence of the Church. Since diakonia
is one of the three missions of the Church, the ministry of the
Bishop or local Ordinary is primordial: indeed, the ultimate
responsibility for charitable action is his.
As part of the visit, Cardinal Cordes will have meetings and
deliver lectures on charity in the Archdioceses of New York, Denver
and Newark. He will also be awarded with an Honorary Doctorate from
Seton Hall University, the oldest Catholic diocesan university in
the United States.
Bollettino della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede 686/2008, 31.10.2008
