Lithuanian Bishops' Conference

The Lithuanian Bishops' Conference ( lit.: Lietuvos Vyskupų Konferencija ) is the official assembly of Catholic bishops in Lithuania. It has its seat in Vilnius. The Episcopal Conference is a member of the Council of European Bishops 'Conferences ( CCEE) and is represented in the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community ( COMECE).

Task and Basics

The main task is the joint discussion on pastoral issues, to develop proposals and to coordinate church activities. Members of the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference are all diocesan bishops, bishops and auxiliary bishops and other titled (eg Titular ) bishops of the Republic of Lithuania. Currently belong to her nine active bishops and three retired bishops. The highest body is the Assembly of the Lithuanian bishops, this selects the president and his representatives for a three year period.

Presidium

  • President: Sigitas Tamkevičius, Archbishop of Kaunas
  • Deputy: Audrys Backis Cardinal, Archbishop of Vilnius

Structure

The Episcopal Conference operates in the following structure: Assembly, Permanent Council, Secretariat, commissions, boards and committees.

Plenary session

The annual General Assembly elects the Presidium and the Secretary-General to appoint commissions, committees and councils and appoints its chairman and members. It decides in matters of faith and discusses general questions about decrees and episcopal arrangements. It is authorized to announce official explanations and instructions is authorized to sign.

Permanent Council

This consists of the President and his deputy and the elected member Rimantas Norvila, Bishop of Vilkaviškis. The Council is elected for three years and prepares the questions and projects that are to be discussed and resolved during the Assembly.

Secretariat

The Office of the Secretary General is currently held by Monsignor Gintaras Grušas; at his side is a staff of employees to coordinate the cooperation between the various bodies and institutions of the Episcopal Conference. The Secretariat shall inform all members of the Assembly on the decisions and changes. At the same time, the Secretariat is the connection point to other foreign bishops' conferences.

Commissions

The following commissions have been appointed:

  • Commission for training and education
  • Commission for Social Affairs
  • Commission on Liturgy and Religious Communities
  • Mass media

Committees

The Episcopal Conference may establish committees and appoint their head, usually this should be a bishop. There may be other experts and laymen be appointed. The following committees are busy:

  • Committee on Ecumenism
  • Committee on Family
  • Committee on the Affairs of Youth
  • Committee for the Lay Apostolate
  • Committee for connections to the Polish Bishops' Conference
  • Committee on Social Affairs
History of the term "Catholic" Titular bishop Polish Episcopal Conference Episcopal Conference of Albania Episcopal Conference of Belgium Episcopal Conference of Bulgaria Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales Holy Synod of Catholic Bishops of Greece Italian Episcopal Conference Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference Croatian Bishops' Conference Latvian Bishops' Conference Scandinavian Bishops Conference Portuguese Episcopal Conference Bishops' Conference of Scotland Swiss Bishops Conference International Bishops' Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius Conference of Slovak Bishops Slovenian Bishops' Conference Spanish Episcopal Conference Czech Bishops' Conference Catholic Bishops' Conference of Hungary Ukrainian Episcopal Conference
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