Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People

People on the Move

N° 108, December 2008

European Meeting of National Delegates for University Pastoral Care* 

This annual meeting brings together European National Representatives with others from organizations and movements concerned with pastoral care in the university. There was a widespread representation, especially from Eastern Europe.

The meeting began with a  presentation by Rev Dr Ferenc Janka, the Vice-secretary General of CCEE concerning its structure and undertakings, and its overall relationship with the work of the ‘group’. This was followed by a presentation of university pastoral care in Romania by Rev Iosif Tiba, National Delagate, and Rev. Csapai Arpad, University Chaplain of the Diocese of Alba Iulia. Especially moving to the meeting was the story of a young chaplain who had been drowned during August 2008 whilst attempting to help a student who was in difficult circumstances in the sea. Regarding the work within the universities of the country, great stress was made on the formation of Catholics as ‘community’.

The main work of the meeting was then presented by Msgr. Lorenzo Leuzzi. He first welcomed the delegates, and in particular giving a welcome to the representative from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People “who will help keep alive our attention on students mobility in Europe and the world.” He then spoke of four areas that would be of concern over the next days:

• From Sydney to Madrid: the 23^rd World Youth Day;
• The University Celebration for the Year of St Paul;
• The Meeting for European University Students;
• The ‘Bologna Process’.

Msgr. Leuzzi spoke reminding us that there  is a great link joining the Year of St Paul and the Pope’s recent journey to France: it was the question of God hidden behind the diffused opinion in Europe. As in the Areopagus of Athens, so now in the Areopagi of the Universities, man does no longer knows the true face of God and “he seeks it because without him, his identity, his stability and above all his eternity has failed.” He reminded the assembly that the Church in Europe is called to testify through creative and innovative pastoral choices, to promote a true Christian education of University students.

Mons. Leuzzi then introduced the European Meeting of students: “New disciples of Emmaus. Being Christians in the University” to be held in Rome and Castelgandolfo between 30^th July to 2^nd August 2009. The aim of the meeting would be to help students meet the One who is risen, sharing together the historical way of the university community, with its expectations and disappointments. This meeting is expected to attract 3000 students and is to be seen as part of the journey towards the next World Youth Day in Madrid.

By way of preparation for this Roman Meeting, there will be an opportunity to mark the Jubilee of St Paul on the occasion of the 7^th European Day scheduled for the 14^th March 2009. During the event, all university chaplaincies will be invited to join together in the Marian Vigil. It was also proposed for a University Pilgrimage to the tomb of St Paul. There will also be an International Forum from 12^th-15^th March on the topic “Gospel, culture and cultures” promoted by the Congregation for Catholic Education, the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Vicariate of Rome.

Lastly he spoke of the Bologna Process which will be ending in 2010.  Of particular importance was the part being played by the Holy See  which he believed would promote greater dialogue towards university pastoral care.

There followed the presentation of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant People, and the presentations of the national delegates.

The second day was given over to an  introduction for group work by Prof Enrico dal Covolo of the Pontifical Salesian University. His intervention, by way of a lectio divina, was entitled “New Disciples of Emmaus: On being Christians in the University”. He especially marked out the three stages of the story: loss of hope – recognition – proclamation. He said that in order to build a new humanism, it was important to begin again at Emmaus, to renew the authentic hierarchy of values at the onset of the meeting with the risen Lord. Only in this way would our universities light up to a new hope. This talk was followed by discussions in regional groups and an chance to share in conclusions.

On Sunday there was the celebration of the Holy Mass in the Cathedral of Bucharest with the Archbishop,  Msgr Joan Robu, and an appraisal of the work undertaken on the previous days. 

Rev. Jeremy Fairhead

Official of the Pontifical Council

for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People