A delegation from the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria (ÖRKÖ) visited the Holy Land last week for discussions with organizations working for peace and reconciliation.
The delegation included:
- Bishop Tiran Petrosyan, Apostolic Armenian Bishop and President of ÖRKÖ,
- Bishop Manfred Scheuer, Catholic Bishop of Linz,
- Superintendent Thomas Hennefeld, Regional Reformed Church leader,
- Father Nicolae Dura, Vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Community in Austria.
Beyond dialogues on peace and reconciliation, the Austrian Churches Council aimed to express solidarity and strengthen ties with Christians in the Holy Land, according to KathPress.
Meetings with Religious Leaders and Visits to Christian Institutions
Among the institutions visited was the Romanian Orthodox Settlement in Jerusalem, where the delegation held discussions with Archimandrite Teofil Anăstăsoaie, Representative of the Romanian Patriarchate to the Holy Places.
No Alternative to Dialogue
Volunteers from around the world are working locally to end violence and promote peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis.
The Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria has repeatedly called for an end to violence in the Middle East, reaffirming its belief that dialogue remains the only viable solution.
In its most recent statement, ÖRKÖ acknowledged that churches cannot impose major political solutions but emphasized its commitment to supporting efforts for reconciliation on the ground.
Delegatia Consiliului Mondial al Bisericilor din Austria ÖRKÖ, în vizită la Reprezentanta BOR din Ierusalim – 14.02.2025 pic.twitter.com/k324hYKLEx
— Arhim. Teofil – Reprezentantul BOR în Țara Sfântă (@AnTeofil) February 14, 2025
Photo: X / @AnTeofil
