COMECE actively participated in the Dialop Transversal Dialogue Conference on Integral Ecology held in Loppiano, Italy, on 11-13 January 2024. Fr. Barrios Prieto: “The Church needs today to be prophetic in the real sense of the word, reading the signs of the times, raising awareness, making the cry of the poor her own and calling for repentance and radical change”. Videos of the event | Pope Francis’ greetings | Fr. Barrios Prieto’s speech: EN – IT
Pope Francis meets with representatives of the DIALOP dialogue conference. (Photo: Vatican Media)
Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), participated in the 3-day Dialop conference on Integral Ecology promoting Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Encyclical Letter for more efficient policies against the climate crisis.
Inspired by the dialogue between Christians and Marxists endorsed by Pope Francis, the conference was an occasion to reread Laudato Si’ against the backdrop of the inadequate measures to combat the climate crisis, as well as the patent failure of adequate economic policies to avoid global climate collapse.
In preparation for the event, Pope Francis met with representatives of the Dialop Transversal dialogue project, inviting them to work for a common ethic, fight corruption and address the “throwaway culture”, building a better future for our polarised world. Finally, Pope Francis stated: “There is always a great need for dialogue, so do not be afraid!” Read Pope Francis’ full address
During the conference, Fr. Barrios Prieto presented COMECE advocacy work with the institutions of the European Union in the field of sustainability and outlined the role of the European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA).
Some of the participants of the DIALOP trasversal dialogue conference. (Photo: Dialop)
In his address, the COMECE General Secretary stressed that “the Church needs today to be prophetic in the real sense of the word, reading the signs of the times, raising awareness, making the cry of the poor her own and calling for repentance and radical change”.
“Sometimes, when we are involved in advocacy work on policy proposals, we look for the better compromise. Nevertheless, we should never forget the need for this prophetic element, for utopia, for dreaming and working for a different society, more sustainable, fair and fraternal” – he continued.
The Dialop conference, organized by DIALOP and the Sophia University Institute of the Focolare Movement, was livestreamed. Videos of the event are available here.
Media
Videos of the event
Pope Francis’ greetings
Fr. Barrios Prieto’s speech: EN – IT