VATICAN CITY, 2 (NE) The Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops began Friday in the Vatican, gathering bishops from all over the continent to reflect on Evangelization in the "old continent". On Thursday, Cardinal Jan Schotte, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, held a briefing to present the event that will take place with the theme "Christ alive in his Church, source of hope for Europe."

    Cardinal Schotte began with an overview of a history of synods, which began under Pope Paul VI, and then proceeded to give background on the European synod, which will conclude October 23. Among other themes, the Cardinal emphasized that the present Synod for Europe "will be more dedicated to the ecclesiastic than the historic situation in the different European countries," discussing "how the Church has put into practice the teachings and main guidelines of the Vatican II Council in these countries."

    He also stated that "the main challenge we must face is not a political nor a social problem, but the weakening of faith." "Europe," he explained, "suffers a problem of knowledge and transmission of faith."

    He also recalled that the five continental synods preparing the Third Millennium have been oriented to the New Evangelization. "The New Evangelization will be at the heart of the debate in this Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops," stated Cardinal Schotte.

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