Şule Rogenbuke

The annual meeting of the Eastern Catholic Bishops of Europe took place in Oradea, in Romania, from September 16 to 19, 2024, entitled: “The Relationship Between Bishops and Priests – Fraternity and Humanity. Synod on Synodality“. The meeting was organized under the auspices of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), on the invitation of Msgr. Virgil Bercea, Bishop of the Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Oradea. The meeting was attended by sixty bishops and priests representing the Eastern Catholic Churches from Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Cyprus, Belarus, Italy, Greece, France, Austria, Spain, Bulgaria, Turkey, North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia and Romania. Latin-rite Catholic bishops from the Bishops’ Conference of Romania and Moldova were also present. Also present were H.E. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches; H.E. Msgr. Giampiero Gloder, Apostolic Nuncio to Romania and Moldova; and H.E. Msgr. Gintaras Grušas, President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE). (EGCO Press Office)

The Archdiocese of Izmir, at the initiative of its Archbishop Archbishop Martin Kmetec, is organizing a symposium to mark the bicentennial of the death of German mystic Anna Katharina Emmerick on October 11 and 12, 2024. The first day will take place in Izmir (Karşıyaka Church) and the second day at the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus. This event is part of the spiritual journey, beginning in 2021, which will lead us to 2031, the year of the 16th centenary of the Council of Ephesus (year 431).

I came to Izmir at first then to Ephesus, with the invitation of Mons. Martin. He invited me to see the Church in Turkey for many times. Finally, I could organized and came here on the celebration of 15 August, Assumption of the Virgin Mary. First, I would like to state that I am very happy for being here. I am very impressed. I travelled for many times Turkey and this is the third visit to the Virgin Mary of Ephesus.  When I was 15 years old, I came here with a group of 30 travelers and pilgrims accompanied by local Church priest. It was first trip without my family.

However I do not have any specific message to you, I would like to state that I am very impressed being where the roots of the church are there.  Next year, on the occasion of celebration of the 1600^th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, we will remember the Council of Ephesus, Council of Chalcedony and the presence of St. John the Evangelist and the Virgin Mary; the travels of St. Paul. All of them are impress us.

I am aware that here is a Church made up of a differentiated population, bearing the scars of the conflicts and misfortunes of our history. In addition, this makes me more encouraged to be persistence. As St Paul says in the Epistle to the Romans: ‘The righteous man lives by his faithfulness.’

It seems to me that we live in times of perseverance and faithfulness. The Christians here, whether they are of Turkish origin or refugees from the Near East or the Middle East, are all witnesses to the faithfulness and perseverance of Jesus Christ and this is a very important lesson for us western Christians.

Mons. Eric de Moulins-Beaufort

Next Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, a Holy Mass “Pro Pontifice” will be celebrated for the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the appointment of Pope Francis. The Holy Mass will be presided over by Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Deputy Secretary of State specially sent from Rome. All are invited to attend to pray for the Holy Father’s intentions.