Papal visit to ‘shake up motionless Church’

THE HEAD of Albania’s Catholic Church says he hopes that Pope Francis’ one-day visit on 21 September will bring a “new freshness” to Christian life in the Balkan country, where all religious activity was once outlawed under Communist rule, writes Jonathan Luxmoore.

“As a Church, we’re conducting many initiatives in the social sphere, but we’re also tempted to become sedate and motionless,” said Archbishop Rrok Mirdita of Durrës-Tirana, Albania’s Catholic primate.

The 74-year-old archbishop was speaking as the Vatican announced the programme for the Pope’s visit to the Albanian capital. The visit will include talks with Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Bujar Nishani, and a Mass in Tirana’s Mother Teresa Square. He will also meet religious and charity leaders.