Archbishop Cushley heads to Bucharest on Sunday for a three-day conference discussing the role of the family in modern day Europe.

It is organised by the Family and Life Commission, which is one of the four commissions of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE).

As president of the commission his role is to co-ordinate its work and support its initiatives.

He will be joined by Fr Nick Welsh, a priest of this Archdiocese, who is secretary to the commission.

Fr Nick said: "The title of the conference is ‘Lord, how can we know the way; the family in Europe today’.

It is hoped that they can offer some ways in which delegates might be able to help, support and sustain families in Europe.

"Those who have been asked to speak this year, including Cardinal Eijk of Utrecht, will share a diagnosis of the situation of the family in Europe.

"It is hoped that they can offer some ways in which delegates, who represent the different bishops’ conferences, might be able to help, support and sustain families in Europe."

Fr Nick is currently vice rector of The Pontifical Scots College in Rome and studying for a PhD at the John Paul II Institute, where he previously gained a licence in Marriage and Family.

Archbishop Cushley said: "We're delighted to have speakers including Cardinal Eijk and Nicola Speranza (Secretary General of Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe).

“I'm looking forward to the discussions and I’m honoured to take part."

The CCEE's commissions are: