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New Bishops gather in Rome for formation course
Some 147 newly appointed bishops from five continents are taking part in a Vatican formation course addressing mission, pastoral ministry, safeguarding, liturgy and Church governance, culminating in an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
More than 140 bishops from the five continents are taking part in the annual formation course for newly appointed bishops, which runs from 2 to 10 September in Rome. Organised by the Dicastery for Bishops and the Dicastery for Evangelisation, the course offers newly appointed pastors an opportunity for formation, prayer, dialogue and fraternity, while addressing some of the principal challenges facing the Church today.
A total of 147 bishops are participating this year. Of these, 98 are attending the course organised by the Dicastery for Bishops, entitled In Christ, Custodians of Magnifica Humanitas in Times of Transformation, while 49 are taking part in the course promoted by the Dicastery for Evangelisation – Section for First Evangelisation, entitled Servants of Communion in the Church.
The programme covers a broad range of topics, including the episcopal ministry, liturgy, mission, cultural change, safeguarding and the handling of abuse cases, Church governance, canon law, interreligious dialogue, new religious movements, priestly formation and the challenges facing the clergy.
Course of the Dicastery for Bishops
The course of the Dicastery for Bishops opened on 2 September with an address by Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The following day, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, will address the episcopal ministry, while Archbishop Vittorio Viola, Secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship, will focus on liturgy.
On 4 September, Archbishop Luis Javier Argüello García, President of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, will reflect on the mission of the pastor in family and society. A session on safeguarding minors, prevention and the handling of abuse cases will follow, led by Archbishop Thibault Verny, President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, will conclude the day with a reflection on the Holy See’s role in a globalised world and its work for peace.
On 5 September, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, will address contemporary cultural change, while Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitentiary, will speak on the internal forum.
Course of the Dicastery for Evangelisation
The formation course for bishops serving ecclesiastical jurisdictions entrusted to the Dicastery for Evangelization is being held at the Pontifical Missionary College of St Peter the Apostle.
The programme began on 3 September with an introduction to the Dicastery for Evangelization and its service to Churches in mission territories. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu are among the speakers, with topics including tribalism, casteism, racism and exclusionary regionalism, as well as the discipline of the clergy, consecrated life, financial administration and associations of the faithful.
On 4 September, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, will address interreligious dialogue, while Archbishop Aurelio García Macías will speak about continuity and renewal in the liturgy in the context of first evangelisation. Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, will focus on sects and new religious movements.
The programme on 5 September will turn to the juridical dimension of episcopal governance, including diocesan structures, tribunals and the handling of cases involving delicta graviora. The day will also include a session on pastoral accompaniment and formation in the care of the People of God.
Assisi pilgrimage and joint sessions
Sunday will be a day of rest, with participants having the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Assisi during the Jubilee Year marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis.
The programme resumes on 7 September at the Pontifical Urbaniana University with a joint session for participants in both courses. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, will present Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas. Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, and Cardinal Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin, will then reflect on synodal ecclesiology.
On 8 September, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the bishops will gather at the Basilica of St Mary Major for Mass celebrated by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome. The programme will continue at Urbaniana with sessions on priestly formation and the missionary relationship between the local Churches and the Holy See.
On 9 September, Msgr Peter Beer of the Pontifical Gregorian University will address the management of crises within the clergy, while Father Hans Zollner will focus on the responsibility of Churches for safeguarding minors and vulnerable adults. An afternoon workshop will allow participants to work in language groups.
Meeting with Pope Leo XIV
The course will conclude on 10 September with Mass and the veneration of the relics of the Apostle Peter in St Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Basilica.
The programme will culminate in an audience with Pope Leo XIV, bringing together the themes of formation, prayer and fraternity that have marked these days of preparation for the episcopal ministry.
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