The yearly meeting days for major superiors of the URV and their councilors took place in Blankenberge (B) on 24-26 September 2024.
The theme was ‘I am the way and the truth and the life (Jn 14:6); Being a Christian and a religious in our time.’ About 120 participants attended and the General Secretary of UCESM, Sister Marjolein, was present, too.
These were days of listening, praying, celebrating and meeting. And enjoying the contacts!
On 25 September, Canon Philippe Hallein gave a perfect summary of what is alive in the country and religious reality when commenting ‘Currents and Society’,
Prof.Em. Bea Cantillon made clear to us how necessary transition is with her report on ‘From welfare state to socio-ecological state of care’!
On the last day, a particularly interesting ‘armchair conversation’ led by Vice-President Fr. Paul De Bois took place with Bishop Johan Bonny from Antwerp, former contact in sexual abuse cases, and Ms. Mia De Schampelaere: ‘The truth gets a chair: what is happening from the Church in relation to sexual abuse?’. The lively and partly emotional reactions in the room made the topical issue very clear.
The talk concluded with Pope Francis’ remark: ’There is nothing in the world that should leave us indifferent!’
Texts of lectures and a PowerPoint presentation by the President of the URV, Sister Mieke Kerckhofs, can be found and reviewed on their website (urv.be).
After the festive lunch, everyone left for home, tired but satisfied.
