V European Orthodox-Catholic Forum concludes works in Paris

Aurelian Iftimiu – Basilica News Agency – 14/1/17

The V European Orthodox-Catholic Forum held its works in Paris from 9 January to 12 January 2017. His Eminence Iosif, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Western and Southern Europe, represented the Romanian Orthodox Church.

The venue of the meeting was Missions Étrangères de Paris. The meeting was co-presided by Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, and Metropolitan Gennadios of Sasima from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Twelve representatives of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) and twelve representatives of the Orthodox Churches in Europe met in Paris to study the theme: Europe in fear of the threat from fundamentalist terrorism and the value of human person and religious freedom.

In the last day of the meeting, a final message was adopted focusing on the major themes addressed during the four-day Forum, namely:

• Human dignity and religious liberty
• Religious intolerance, discrimination and persecution
• Fundamentalism and terrorism today
• Social cohesion and the phenomenon of fear seen through the eyes of Church mission
• Promotion of common well-being and solidarity
• Jesus Christ is the only Christian answer to the threat of fundamentalism and terrorism.

The conclusion of the final message adopted by the members of the Forum was that secular Europe has its roots in our Christian traditions, which conferred a universalistic vision. To cut off its own roots means to go astray. Christian faith that we repeat with much conviction regards the human being in its personal and social dimensions. Faith is expressed through the double commandment of love towards God and our neighbour, which is the key to reciprocity. One’s love of fellow people is not conditioned by anything nor measured (Matt. 22:39). Dialogue in truth between people of different religion or convictions is the only solution to circumstances of fear and mutual exclusion. Dialogue teaches us to become more humble. In dealing with others, we always find hitherto unsuspected riches of our common humanity. We are pleased that we advance towards a truer knowledge and a greater love of the One Who is the perfection of our humanity: Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Photo credit: Amen.gr

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