The Catholic Bishops of Europe have submitted their thoughts on the upcoming European Year of Skills. The Church leaders are asking for the emphasis on integral development of a person and quality education. The document will be discussed in the coming days. It’s all part of the Holy Father’s call for education to be a creator of peace and fairness. Father Manuel Enrique Barrios Pietro is the General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union.
Manuel Enrique Barrios Pietro:
It’s a document that we submitted to the European Commission in answer to a consultation that was launched by the European Commission this year. 2023 has been dedicated by the European Commission to the issue of education training and, specifically, skills. So, to do this, the commission has launched a consultation to different stakeholders, including us, and we decided to give an answer in this document that we submitted to the Commission. So, it’s a document that was to give our perspective on this issue of Education, training, and specifically skills. And we decided to draft this document with some partners, specifically, the Salesians, Don Bosco International, and also with the Federation of Catholic Family Associations of Europe. So, it’s a document that wants to see this important issue also, for the Church: education, training, skills, in this perspective. Well, can we as Church offer the Commission as our perspective on this year this year dedicated to this, to education training and skills.
Eric Rosales:
You touched on this a little bit. But looking ahead now, what are some of the projects and priorities of the committee this year? And can you tell us how the Church is doing overall in Europe?
Manuel Enrique Barrios Pietro:
Obviously one of the very important things in Europe, that is a tragic thing, is the war in Ukraine. And this is obviously something that as the Catholic Church and the European Union are very much concerned with and the consequences of the war. These are part of the economic consequences and social consequences that’s an increase in poverty, an increase in inequality. So, we are also approaching this issue, and this will be one of the issues, a very important issue, that will be discussed in the plenary assembly we’re having in Rome in March
Eric Rosales:
And we have just a few minutes now. But in March your group is going to hold an assembly in Rome to meet with Pope Francis. What are you expecting from that meeting?
Manuel Enrique Barrios Pietro:
Well, it’s a meeting of the General Assembly of Commerce, taking place in Rome, as you said. We have the chance of meeting Pope Francis, and this will be very important for us. And it’s also a meeting in which will renew our presidency. So, the President will change the President of Comece and we’ll renew one of the four vice presidents. So, I think it’s important to have this meeting with Pope Francis before our elections to see what is the beautiful pass on the European reunion and the role the church has before the European in this dialogue mission that Comece has. So, this is important. And obviously, a meeting of the bishops representing the bishops conference of the European Union is always an occasion to share thoughts, share concerns regarding the European union and the main issues that it has to deal with.
Eric Rosales:
Well, Father, thank you so much for joining us again. Father Manuel Enrique Barrios Pietro, General Secretary of the Comece, the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union. Thank you again.
