On Monday, the Romanian Orthodox hierarch of Oradea, His Grace Bishop Sofronie, participated in the official opening of the Meeting of Eastern Catholic Bishops of Europe, held this year in Oradea on September 16-19.
On this occasion, the Bishop of Oradea expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown by the Roman Catholic Church to Romanian communities in Western Europe.
“Together with His Excellency, the Secretary of State, present here, we have a heartfelt duty to thank the Apostolic Church of Rome for the hospitality offered to all Romanian communities who have found refuge in the blessed places shepherded by the Apostolic See,” said His Grace.
Bishop Sofronie also greeted the communities represented at the meeting.
“I would also like to extend a fraternal greeting to the non-Byzantine brethren, Maronites, and Armenians, representing the same ancient Christian Eastern peoples. (…) A fraternal greeting to the brethren who, together with Your Graces, strive to faithfully preserve the rich tradition of Eastern Christianity, which is increasingly difficult to uphold in an ever more secularized world.”
“By faithfully preserving what we have inherited, we hope for a bright future in God’s arms. Lastly, I would like to especially greet the Byzantine brethren, those closest to us, heirs of the first baptism—the Eastern one—through Saint Hierotheos, who are here in our proximity,” the hierarch added.
Message from the Secretary of State for Religious Affairs
Ciprian-Vasile Olinici, Secretary of State for Religious Affairs, spoke about the meeting’s importance and historical significance in a society under the pressure of secularization.
“This moment holds historical significance in a world where the Christian community is making sustained efforts to keep the message of the Gospel alive in a society that is increasingly secularized and tempted to abandon its Christian roots and values,” said Ciprian Vasile-Olinici.
He also mentioned the context of organizing the meeting in Oradea, which coincided with the fifth anniversary of the beatification of the Greek Catholic Bishops, martyrs of faith in communist prisons.
At the end of his speech, the Secretary of State for Religious Affairs expressed appreciation for the cooperative relationship with the Roman Catholic Church in Romania.
During the meeting, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches at the Vatican, spoke about the “beautiful coexistence” of different denominations in the region and emphasized the special relationship with the Orthodox Diocese of Oradea, which he described as “a very close reality.”
Other speakers at the event included Bishop Virgil Bercea, Greek-Catholic Bishop of Oradea, Monsignor Giampiero Gloder, Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, Monsignor Gintaras Grušas, President of the Conference of the Council of European Bishops (CCEE), and Florin Birta, Mayor of Oradea.
This year’s meeting theme is “The Relationship Between Bishop and Priests—Fraternity and Humanity,” organized through the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE).
Photo: Oradea Greek Catholic Diocese / Eugen Ivuț
