Bishop Earl Fernandes is one of 179 bishops from around the world participating this week in a course of formation in Rome.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sessions have not taken place for the past two years and so bishops who were ordained toward the end of 2020 and in 2021 and 2022 are present this week.
The theme of the gathering is “To Announce the Gospel in a Change of Epoch and After the Pandemic: The Service of the Bishops.”
Topics for the sessions include ministry of the bishop in the context of synodality of the Church; family and universal fraternity; episcopal holiness in the Catholic community; and educating oneself in synodal leadership.
Bishop Fernandes is joined in Rome by bishops from the United States and from other parts of the world, many of whom are his friends who have become shepherds of the Church.
“It really gives you a sense of being part of the Episcopal College,” Bishop Fernandes said.
The bishops are scheduled to meet with Pope Francis on Monday, Sept. 19 before returning home.