A Roman Catholic Cardinal will take part in the Bermuda church's annual meeting this weekend.

Entitled "Live Your Faith Take Part!", the eighth annual synod has as one of its themes awakening the faith of those who might not practise the religious beliefs that they hold.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Washington D.C., Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick Ph.D., D.D. will be speaking at the anniversary assembly of the Diocese today on that subject.

This will be the first time that a Cardinal has come to visit Bermuda to address the Diocese.

Cardinal McCarrick has a long history of bringing solutions and hope to those around him. He was one of the 115 Cardinals in the world who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict as the successor to Pope John Paul II in April 2005. His many travels as a human rights advocate have taken him to China, Cuba, Iran, Vietnam, Rwanda and Burundi among other locations. He has been instrumental in the areas of education and social services.

According to local Bishop Robert Kurtz, the church has many issues to address as it tries to demonstrate its beliefs in a modern world.

There are many who don't know how to conduct themselves in a spiritual manner while living in these trying times. While Cardinal McCarrick will be speaking on "Contemporary Issues in the Church", Bishop Kurtz hopes that the Cardinal will speak on the most sensitive topics.

"There are moral issues that are related to the economic crisis," the Bishop points out. "How we communicate the faith is important in the modern world."

Bishop Kurtz also notes that another topic of concern is that of the practice of the faith in the 20 to 40-year-old bracket. He has a strong belief that how we demonstrate and communicate faith to our children is of great importance.

The Eighth Annual Synod Anniversary Assembly starts this weekend with the Cardinal celebrating Mass at St. Theresa's Cathedral at 12.10 p.m. today. Mass will also be held tomorrow at 9 a.m. and again on Sunday, at 11.30 a.m. all with the Cardinal in attendance.

Cardinal McCarrick, a dynamic speaker and world-wide figure, will make his presentation today in the Mount Saint Agnes Auditorium starting at 7.15 p.m. with the MSA Ensemble.

For further information, call Essie Hans at 292-1981.