Cardinal Bertone to represent Pope at Slovenian Eucharistic Congress

Vatican City, Jun 7, 2010 / 10:37 am MT ().-

The Holy See made public a letter today showing that the Holy Father appointed Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, to represent the Pope at the upcoming Eucharistic Congress in Slovenia.

The congress, which is the country's first since 1937, will take place in Celje on June 13 with the theme “Eucharist - God's gift for life,” according to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA). Some 25,000 participants are expected for the event which will highlight the importance of the Mass and solidarity among believers.

The news agency quoted Archbishop Anton Stres of Ljubljana as saying that the Holy Father's decision to send the Vatican Secretary of State as a representative is a sign that he cares very much for the country and its efforts.

STA also reported that Lojze Grozde, a young Catholic man who is believed to have been tortured and killed by the partisans during WWII, is expected to be proclaimed the first Slovenian martyr. In March 2010, Pope Benedict issued a general declaration of martyrdom for Grozde.

The Vatican announced that those accompanying Cardinal Bertone will be Msgr. Janez Gril, editor of the “Druzina” Catholic weekly; Fr. Bogdan Kolar S.D.B, history professor at Ljubljana University; Msgr. Lech Piechota, official of the Secretariat of State; Msgr. Guillermo Javier Karcher, official of the Secretariat of State and a master of pontifical ceremonies, and Fr. Roberto Lucchini, nunciature secretary in service at the Secretariat of State.