Maltese Delegation attends an International Congress at the Vatican

The Archbishop of Malta, Mgr Charles J. Scicluna, and the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, are attending an international congress at the Vatican entitled ‘(Re)Thinking Europe’. The congress that will start today, will engage in dialogue more than 350 participants from 28 countries of the European Union, including high level officials of the Church and European political leaders. They will be asked to contribute to a constructive reflection on the fundamental challenges facing Europe.

The Maltese delegation is headed by Archbishop Scicluna. The members of this delegation which were invited by the Maltese Episcopal Conference include: Dr Aaron Farrugia, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds and Social Dialogue, Dr Roberta Metsola, Member of the European Parliament, Dr Vanni Xuereb, Head of MEUSAC, and Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Agius, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Malta. The congress will be concluding tomorrow, Saturday, with an audience with Pope Francis.

The key speakers include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State to the Holy See, Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani and Pat Cox, the President and former President of the European Parliament, and Cardinal Reinhard Marx, President of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE).

Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna and the former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, were invited to speak during the first session of the congress where they are expected to address the challenges facing integration. At this two-day congress, the participants will also discuss what kind of economy is needed for Europe, the state of democracy in European countries, and the contribution of the Catholic Church in strengthening the European Union.

The international congress ‘(Re)Thinking Europe’ is providing the opportunity for all stakeholders of the European project who are willing to place the dignity of the person at the centre of politics and who work for the common good, to come together and dialogue at this congress organized by COMECE and the Holy See, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.