Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – In this Year for Priests, the 82nd Assembly of Societies for Aid to Eastern Churches (ROACO), taking place January 19-20 at the Vatican, will be mainly dedicated to the issued of support for the clergy of the Catholic Eastern Rite Churches, especially in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East. As the Congregation for the Eastern Churches recalls, following the changes of 1989, the Eastern Catholic Churches of Central and Eastern Europe have had the joy of being able to ordain numerous young priests, including married ones, in keeping with the ancient tradition of their Churches. Because of the modest economic conditions of their countries, and the absence of self-financing ecclesiastical structures, the maintenance of priests has been guaranteed to a large extent by the Churches of the West through the aid agencies, members of ROACO. After twenty years, the time has come for an evaluation of each effective projection for the future. Regarding priests in the Middle East, this evaluation will particularly focus on health care and old age. The session participants also plan to give attention to the situation of the Eastern Churches in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Iraq. The Assembly will be attended by representatives from nearly 20 Catholic agencies, from 10 Western countries. Also present will be the Apostolic Delegate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Antonio Franco, and Apostolic Nuncio in Sudan and Eritrea, Archbishop Leo Boccardi. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 19/01/2010)
