The Union of European Conferences of Major Superiors (UCESM), is an association representing religious in Europe. It meets every two years for its Plenary Assembly. Its last assembly was held in April of 2024, in Vranov, the Czech Republic.
The UCESM is an ecclesial association of Canon Law, recognized by the Vatican entity in charge of religious life, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CIVCSVA). The UCESM represents the Major Superiors from the apostolic Religious Institutes of twenty-eight European countries, whose combined membership is approximately 185,000 religious men and women.
In addition to the Biennial Plenary Assembly of the UCESM, some National Conferences of Major Superiors maintain an intense dialogue with the UCESM, such as the Conferences in Luxembourg, Switzerland, Holland, Austria and Germany. The General Secretaries and Presidents of these National Conferences meet once a year to discuss common topics.
Such a meeting took place from November 30 to December 2, 2024. It was hosted in Vienna, Austria. The agenda included discussion on the different structures that pertain to the treatment of sexual abuse and ways of organizing recognition for victims. Another focus was the topic of religious living together in the style of international-intercultural religious communities. There was also a helpful discussion on certain topics that the Conferences of Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Luxembourg are currently dealing with.
Thanks to the hospitality of the Austrian Conference, the meeting featured an excellent cultural and culinary program, which provided additional time for informal discussion. The nine participants in the meeting were well accommodated at the Conventual Franciscan Friary of the Holy Trinity on Alserstraße Street. Among the participants there were two Conventual Franciscans: Friar Daniele BROCCA representing Switzerland, and Friar Andreas MURK representing Germany.
Friar Andreas MURK
