An international conference on the prevention of church sex abuse is opening in Luxembourg today. The event was organised with the support of the neighbouring diocese of Trier, Germany. Delegates from Croatia, Scotland, England, Belgium, France, Austria, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and the Vatican will meet until 20th November to “discuss the Church sex abuse scandal, as well as the consequences and prevention thereof”. This is the first conference of its kind ever held in Europe. The conference will start in the afternoon at the John XXIII Pastoral Centre in Luxembourg with a speech from archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich, then it will move to the Robert-Schuman-Haus in Trier in the next few days. The conference will also focus on the development of good practice and “real examples of the work that the dioceses are successfully carrying out in the prevention of sex abuse in different countries”, in the attempt to implement an “international practice of exchanges about such issues that may be more and more efficient”. A final press conference will be held in Trier on Friday 20th November (at 11 am) to provide a summary and the main conclusions of the conference. Guest speakers include: Andreas Zimmer and Mary Hallay-Witte, delegates for the prevention of sex abuse from the diocese of Trier and Hamburg, respectively, Jean Ehret, professor of theology and director of the John XXIII Centre.