Ecumenical Congress in Warsaw

The mass on 6th September 2009 in the Roman Catholic basilica of God’s mercy in Cracow has preceded the commencement of the International Congers for Peace “People and Religions” – “Assisi in Cracow”.

The representatives of many confessions and religions participated in the Congress. The Orthodox Church was represented by the Romanian metropolitan of Germany and Middle Europe Serafim. Also the members of the patriarchate of Constantinople and many other local and oriental Orthodox Churches have come. Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church was represented by the bishop of Siemiatycze Jerzy.

With our prayers we would like to beg for the gift of reconciliation and peace for every nation of the World – before the beginning of the mass said Catholic metropolitan of Cracow cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. Earlier thanks for work in the spirit of the Assisi made the president of the Sant’Egidio Community co-organizer of the Congress – Marco Impagliazzo.

As Christians we know, that the peace is given from God. You can not bring peace with the force. Peace is a God’s gift of mercy, that can be reached with personal prayer, ascetism and defying injustice, violence and poverty – said metropolitan Serafin in his homily.

In the Congres took part the representatives of many confessions and cultures but also politics and science from around the world. The meeting was organized together by the Catholic diocese in Cracow and Italian Community Sant’ Egidio, which since 23 years spreads the “spirit of Asisi” around the world. The participants of the Congress discussed the most important issues of the faith, peace, cooperation and economy. On Tuesday they visited concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where the March and the Ceremony of Memory took place. In the afternoon an appeal for peace was announced in Cracow.

The keyword of the international Congress for Peace “People and Religions” – “Assisi in Cracow” commemorates historical Day of Prayer from 27th October 1986, when John Paul II has invited the members of many religions to pray for peace on earth.

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