The Spanish Episcopal Conference will hold its 129th Plenary Assembly next week, from Monday the 20th to Friday, at the CEE headquarters in Madrid. The opening session will be marked by the speech of the president, Mons. Luis Argüello, followed by the intervention of the Apostolic Nuncio in Spain, Mons. Piero Pioppo.
The visit of Pope Leo, one of the key axes of the meeting
Among the highlighted matters is the preparation for the upcoming visit of Pope Leo to Spain, scheduled between June 6 and 12.
The bishops will receive detailed information on the organizational work handled by the national commission created for this trip, coordinated by Fernando Giménez Barriocanal along with Yago de la Cierva.
Read also: Barriocanal and de la Cierva, the tandem organizing the Pope’s visit to Spain
Doctrinal reflection and protection of minors
During the Plenary, the Doctrinal Note Cor ad cor loquitur (“The heart speaks to the heart”) will also be presented, prepared by the Episcopal Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith and previously approved by the Permanent Commission.
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Likewise, the Coordination Service of the Offices for the Protection of Minors will report on the prevention and training activities developed throughout 2025, in line with the protocols established in recent years.
Liturgy, lay ministries, and formation
The Assembly will also address significant liturgical issues. The Episcopal Commission for the Liturgy will report on the process of revising the translation of the third typical edition of the Roman Missal in Spanish, as well as on the works for updating the Liturgy of the Hours.
The translation of the liturgical texts corresponding to the memorial of St. John Henry Newman will also be presented for approval.
For its part, the Episcopal Commission for Evangelization, Catechesis, and Catechumenate will propose a reflection on the instituted lay ministries—lector, acolyte, and catechist—in the context of the current development of these functions within ecclesial life.
Synod and sustenance of the Church
The bishop in charge of the Synod, Mons. Conesa, will report on the advances in the current phase of the synodal process.
In addition, the Secretariat for the Sustenance of the Church will present the new subscription campaign for parishes, along with the results of a sociological study on the image of the Church in society.
The Plenary will conclude on Friday after several days of work in which the bishops will address key issues for the life and mission of the Church in Spain.