OCEANIA : BISHOPS CONFERENCE FOR YEAR OF FAITH

Agenzia Fides REPORT - "In Australia and New Zealand Churches struggle to cope with the influence of secularism. But with the development of technology and communication information, even in other Pacific countries, such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, one realizes that the challenge is the same: reaching with the Gospel the verandas of our humble homes in rural areas": This is what is said in a message sent to Fides Agency by His Exc. Mgr. Rochus Tatamai, MSC, Bishop of Berlina, at the conclusion of the Episcopal Council of the Federation of Bishops of Oceania, held in the past few days in Paita, New Caledonia. The meetings of the Council, made up of eight Bishops, are in view of the General Assembly of the Federation of Episcopal Conferences of Oceania to be held in Wellington, New Zealand, in 2014.
In the meeting, which has just concluded, the Bishops faced the issue in order to better prepare the different communities of the faithful of Oceania for the Year of Faith (11 October 2012 - 24 November 2013), bringing attention to the challenges of the "new evangelization," according to Pope Benedict XVI’s recommendations.
The meeting took stock of the cooperation and sharing among the Churches in different countries of Oceania, noting that efforts in this direction are underway, such as the exchange of professors among Seminars. Among other issues faced, the possibility of an insurance coverage for priests working in the diocese and for the care of their personal health.
The Federation of Bishops of Oceania consists of four Episcopal Conferences: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands, and CEPAC, which includes all other nations and small islands in the Pacific, such as Fiji, Tonga, Guam, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Vanuatu. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/08/2012)

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