ISKENDERUN, Turkey, MARCH 4, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Bishops representing the Holy See and eight episcopal conferences of Southeastern Europe are following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul this week, reflecting on Christian identity.
The ninth meeting of the presidents of the Southeast Europe bishops’ conferences is under way through Sunday in Turkey. The Holy See’s permanent observer to the Council of Europe, Monsignor Aldo Giordano, is also participating.
The prelates are focusing on the theme of Christian unity, a statement from the conferences reported, «taking as a starting point the model proposed by the Apostle Paul which, more than 2,000 years ago, had to be preached in a mutlicultural and plurireligious context, thus contributing to the construction of Christian identity.»
The prelates will also give an ecumenical focus to their pilgrimage. On Saturday, they will be received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and will take part in the celebration of Orthodox vespers.
