The Catholic bishops of Europe have initiated a research plan for investigating the teaching of the Catholic religion in private and public schools of Europe.

Thirty-four delegates, representing the different national episcopal conferences of Europe, gathered in Rome July 10-11 for their opening seminar on the research project, reported Fides. The meeting was called by the Council for European Bishops Conferences and set up in cooperation with the National Service for the Teaching of the Catholic Religion of the Italian Bishops’ Conference.

The main objective of the meeting was to involve the bishops’ conferences of Europe in the promotion of the debate in favor of religion in schools and to encourage the different episcopal conferences to share their experiences on this topic. The delegates underscored the growing role of churches and church communities in shaping the citizens of Europe.

Over the next few months, the delegates will collect data on the teaching of religion in their respective countries. Each delegate will send a national report to the working group by November. The results will be unveiled at a symposium in 2007.