“Our thoughts go to those who have been affected by the floods and the overflows in Emilia Romagna and Marche. We join with the local communities who, in a short time, are experiencing another tragedy”. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the CEI, opens the work of the Permanent Council of Italian Bishops, meeting in Rome until September 25, addressing a thought to those who are struggling with a new wave of mud and invites prayers “for those who are in anguish, so that they can continue to look with confidence to tomorrow, even when everything seems, once again, lost”. And he asks “the institutions to intervene, promptly and effectively, in support of families and the territory that has shown, once again, all its fragility: mutual accusations and proclamations give way to adequate measures, far-sighted choices and concrete actions”. In his long speech the cardinal also speaks of war and the rights of migrants, of educational equality and the role of Europe. In this regard, he hopes that it «remains faithful to its vocation for dialogue and peace. Politics makes – indeed, must make – its own paths. But from our perspective as believers, European citizens need today more than ever to reclaim that history and culture that made the European lands great». The president of the CEI also recalls that «it is necessary to keep an eye on some important data that concern our continent today: the aging of the population, poverty, the migratory phenomenon, secularism and individualism». The cardinal thinks, «while we address the contingent problems» of a «broader discussion: a “Camaldoli for Europe” to talk about democracy and Europe».
On the internal front of the Church, he does not hesitate to speak of “some ecclesial practices and rules that no longer adapt to reality and therefore need to be rewritten. It is time to be proactive and concrete in setting up the reform of the CEI”, he underlines, also speaking of “a possible reform of the Statute”. Furthermore, citing the Synodal Path of the Churches in Italy and the first National Synodal Assembly that will be held from 15 to 17 November (as well as the second session of the Synod of Bishops that opens on 2 October), the cardinal reiterated that “many men and women are putting their heart and mind into realizing the dream of a synodal and missionary Church and, therefore, more welcoming, open, streamlined, capable of walking with people, humble”. It is necessary to “address even the most delicate and new ecclesial issues with courage and intelligence”. Among these is also “the theme of the exercise of authority in the Church that requires for everyone the decision, always renewed, to serve, to give oneself. The question arises of the exercise of the ministry of guidance of the bishop in the diocese, as well as the role of the CEI in relation to the local Churches. We need to concretize in pastoral and also juridical terms the reflections that concern for example the consultative-deliberative binomial, clarifying the need for a mature community discernment to prepare the most delicate choices that are the responsibility of the bishops”. He also recalled that “the delegates of the Synod are in fact openly discussing also the most relevant issues for us such as transparency, accountability, external evaluation in decision-making processes”.