‘Priests Today’, is the title of an afternoon that seeks to respond, above all through testimonies and the language of the arts, to the real challenges faced by priests in the Church and society. The event will take place on 9 June 2010, in the Paul IV Hall in the Vatican, as part of the Year for Priests. Priests from more over 70 nations, worldwide, are expected to attend.

Sponsors of the event: The priests of the Focolare Movement and Schoenstatt Movement in collaboration with the ICCRS (International Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Spirit) and other ecclesial church associations.

The programme will describe in trhee phases the identity of the priest today: Man of God – brothers together – prophets of a new world. Each section will be introduced by a thought from Benedict XVI (on video). In the concluding section, some thoughts of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, and of Fr. Josef Kentenich, founder of Schoenstatt, will be presented.

Witnesses – Amongst the protagonists: a priest from Ireland on being faithful to God’s call; the survivors of an attack on the Junior Seminary of Buta in Burundi; and from Germany a priest who overcame a drink problem with the help of the community. Other experiences will tell of illness; of affective life and celibacy lived out in a context of fraternity; and pastoral work in the current multi-cultural and multi-religious environment.

Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation of the Clergy, will preside at the Vespers that will conclude the evening. Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, Archbishop of Santiago in Cile, ex-President of CELAM, will give a theological talk.

The International Multiartistic Performing Group Gen Verde will look after the artistic aspects of the afternoon, together with priests from different countries. The Seminarians from the International Centre of the Spirituality of Communion ‘Vinea Mea’ at Loppiano (Florence) will present some pieces of choreography.

All of the participants will be protagonists at this meeting. There will be a moment for dialogue for all present in the Hall, in small groups, on the subjects addressed in the course of the afternoon.

Television broadcast: It will be possible to follow the event in many countries throughout the world thanks to the satellites of Vatican Television Centre, Telepace and other Networks. It will also be accessible via Internet.

Events leading up to the 9 June appointment:

6 May – ConcerTheatre Ars Amoris, dedicated to the Cure d’Ars, in the Aula Magna of The Lateran Pontifical University, Rome.

8 June – A Retreat Day organised by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal – Basilica of St John Lateran.

A special programme for priests at Loppiano, the Focolare International town near Florence, before and after the events concluding the Year of the Priest.

11 June – An Invitation to priests from the Schoenstatt Movement to spend a celebratory afternoon together in Belmonte (Casalotti, Rome)

Further information and Programme: www.sacerdotioggi.org – sacerdotioggi@gmail.com

Press Office: Silvestre Marques, tel. +39-340-0538 300

José Luis Correa, tel. +39-389-1230 117

Carla Cotignoli, tel. +39-348-8563 347