Vatican City, Nov 23, 2009 / 10:25 am
The Australian Catholic Bishop's Conference has invited Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, president of "Cor Unum," to meet with them with the purpose of strengthening “ the Catholic Church's witness in the field of charity.”
“Cor Unum” is the Vatican dicastery in charge of the Church's charitable agencies and works. Earlier this month, Cardinal Cordes said that Pope Benedict's encyclical “Deus Caritas Est” has set the agenda for “Cor Unum's” future works. The dicastery itself promotes “the constructive witness of Christian individuals and communities in the varied world of charity and volunteering,” the Cardinal added.
Cardinal Cordes will meet with the bishops during their plenary assembly in Sydney. He will also discuss the different facets of charity with priests, seminarians, charity workers, and various lay groups.
His talks will reflect on the teachings of “Deus Caritas Est” combined with the experience of the local churches.
“The aim of the visit is to strengthen the Catholic Church's witness in the field of charity. Benedict XVI has made the mission of 'diakonia' a focal point of his teaching, which together with the proclamation of the Word of God and the celebration of the Sacraments, expresses the Church's deepest nature,” said an English-language communiqué regarding the Cardinal's visit.
The cardinal will also give a lecture on “Caritas in Veritate” at the Australian Catholic University.