Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bucarest (Fides Service) - At the invitation of Theocist I Orthodox Patriarch of Rumania and his Holy Synod, the annual International Meeting of Bishops of different Churches, Friends of the Focolari Movement is being held in Bucharest 21-27 September in a country considered for more reasons than one a bridge beween East and West. Some 45 Bishops for 19 different countries are taking part. Orthodox Christians are represented by bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Patriarchs of Antich and Rumania and the Orthodox Churches of Serbia, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Members of the Syrian-Orthodox Church will come from Syria, India and Holland. There are representatives of the Anglican Communion from England and Italy, Lutheran Churches of Germany, Sweden, Norway, Gt Britain, Rumania, United States, the Methodist Church of Brazil. The Catholic Church is represented by more than 10 Bishops from different countries.
Reflection will focus on “The presence of the Risen Lord among his people: centre of church life and hub of our common witness”, which is the title of the meeting. The Bishops will reflect on this mystery through which Jesus is present as he promised “where two or three are gathered in my name” in order to communicate the faith in our day and promoting ever fuller communion in the Church of Christ. Reflection will be theological and spiritual. Speakers will include founder and president of the Focolari Movement Chiara Lubich since the presence of Jesus in the community is the specific charisma of its unity.
The Bishops’ encounter with eastern monastic life, liturgy and iconography so vividly present in Rumania will be stimulating and enriching and will foster ever deeeper communion with the Rumanian Church and other Churches in this country. At the same time these Bishops from all over the world will offer witness of brotherly communion to this nation. The Bishops will pray together, take part in liturgy in different rites as well as share their experience of the presence of the Risen Christ among his disciples in daily life and in all different environments. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/9/2005, righe 27 parole 366)
