Pressemelding fra Den nordiske bispekonferansen

The Scandinavian Bishops' Conference Spring Session, Jerusalem, 31. January - 7. February 2011: Solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land - Bishop Arborelius re-elected President

In the urgent matter of child-abuse the Church needs more detailed and comprehensive regulations than the State, and proposed texts for this purpose were discussed in detail at the Conference's meeting in Jerusalem. Because of the differences in the civil legislation in our countries, it appears impossible to issue an identical set of regulations for all dioceses. A theological introduction to the guidelines, however, is prepared and common definitions of sexual abuse and measures to protect children and prevent abuse are being formalised. These two chapters will be completed by specific regulations for each of the five countries.

For the first time in the history of the Conference, the Bishops assembled in Jerusalem and visited the city's holy places as pilgrims, engaged in talks with local Church leaders and faithful, and were impressed with the open-mindedness and courage expressed by those they met.

The history of the Church in Jerusalem is our history; the future of this Church deeply concerns and affects us all, the Bishops agreed when they summed up their impressions. Our shared hope is that Jerusalem will become a city of peace and thus of prophetic importance for all Jews, Muslims and Christians.

The Permanent Council was re-elected for a period of four years: President Bishop Anders Arborelius (Stockholm); Vice-President, Bishop Czeslaw Kozon (Copenhagen); member of the Council, Bishop Bernt Eidsvig (Oslo); Secretary-General, Sr. Anna Mirijam Kaschner, CPS.

The Scandinavian Bishops' Conference consists of all Roman Catholic Bishops in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, and Norway. It meets twice a year, this time in Jerusalem. For further information: www.nordicbishopsconference.org