Continuing the studies of 2011 and 2012, the event will have as the principle theme: Fifty years after Vatican Council II – Liturgy, Missions and Laity. More than 100 bishops from all of Brazil have signed up.

The course was organized the first time in 1990 by then Archbishop, Now Cardinal Eugênio Sales, as a way of making an opportunity for sharing and community.

The Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Dom Orani João Tempesta, explained that the Archdiocese of Rio has a tradition that come from the time of Cardinal Eugênio Sales of making in the vacation period at the beginning of the year a retreat for bishops, where they participate in conferences, receive instruction, they can share life experiences and enjoy periods of community, especially during the visits to diverse points of the city. We perceive that each time, this event is sought and appreciated more,” he evaluated.

Among the speakers are: The President of the Pontifical Counsel for the Laity, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko; the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Cardinal Antônio Cañizares, His Excellency Antônio Staglianò, bishop of Noto (Italy) and collaborator with His Excellency Bishop Rino Fisichella (President of the Pontifical Counsel for the Promotion of the New Evangelization); and Ana Cristina Villa Betancourt, member of the Pontifical Counsel for the laity, responsible for the section dedicated to women.

During the course, there will be a visit to the specific locale of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, his excellency, bishop Karl Josef Romer believes that the course will bring a new enthusiasm for the more than 100 bishops signed up, remembering that the first great professor was then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, today Pope Benedict XVI.

“The course for bishops, organized by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro and offered fraternally to all the bishops of Brazil, had as the first great professor, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, today Pope Benedict XVI (…) I think that the bishops will waiting with great joy, moreover, already we have more than one hundred signed up for this course and we have an immense hope that it is going to be a great success for the good o the bishops and for the good of the dioceses who will receive the return of the bishops with new enthusiasm and with new clarity.” affirmed Bishop Romer.

Translated from Portuguese