An exceptionally large bishops’ meeting took place in Seggau in southern Styria until Thursday: Over 50 bishops from Europe, Africa, Asia and America who are close to the Focolare Movement came together for the traditional bishops’ meeting to celebrate church services together, to pray and meditate and to exchange ideas on church and socio-political issues and topics. Ireland was represented by Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick Diocese.

Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau said, “We are very honoured that we, the Diocese of Graz-Seckau, have been able to host this meeting for the fourth time.”

The title of the week-long meeting was, ” Closeness is the style of God and also the style of the community of bishops” (“La prossimità stile di Dio, stile dei vescovi in ​​comunione “). Highlights included a pilgrimage of to Maria Helfbrunn and a solemn mass in the Basilica of Seckau. Dubliner, Declan O’Byrne, Rector of Focolare’s Sophia University Institute was there to provide spiritual input. Fr. Fabio Ciardi of the Focolare’s Interdisciplinary study Centre, the “Abba School” offered daily meditations to the Bishops. With regard to the title he said, “The theme of the bishops’ meeting, “Proximity as God’s Style, Bishops in Communion,” reflects a significant shift initiated by the Second Vatican Council. Prior to the Council, there was a noticeable distance between the Church and modern life, marked by the Church’s isolation from the daily realities of ordinary people. Yves Congar noted this disconnection in his diary during the Council’s preparatory phase, highlighting the contrast between the Church’s grand ceremonies and the everyday life of the people. The Council marked a turning point, moving away from condemnation and isolation towards a new approach characterized by friendship and dialogue. Pope Paul VI, in his closing speech of the Council, emphasized this change, noting that the Church sought to engage with the modern world through a more familiar and compassionate voice. The Church aimed to communicate in a way that resonated with contemporary people, using a language of love and understanding. The paradigm of the Good Samaritan was offered as an example of this new spirituality, showing compassion and proximity to the world’s needs. Bishop Luigi Bettazzi encapsulated this vision, stating that the Church should not be separate from the world but a transformative presence within it, helping all to move towards God’s kingdom.”

Bishops who are close to the Focolare Movement have been meeting since 1977, at the suggestion of the Focolare founder Chiara Lubich and at the invitation of the late theologian and Bishop of Aachen Klaus Hemmerle. The aim of these meetings is spiritual exchange among bishops. The meetings also help the bishops to better assess the various international challenges and to bring a testimony of lived brotherhood to the church. Ultimately, the days should also be a time for shared relaxation.

Sources:

https://www.kathpress.at/goto/meldung/2394321/steiermark-internationales-bischofstreffen-auf-schloss-seggau

https://fabiociardi.blogspot.com/