“Europe in fear of the threat from fundamentalist terrorism, and the value of human person and religious freedom”
The Fifth European Orthodox-Catholic Forum was held in Paris, from 9 to 12 January 2017 and it was organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences. The theme of the meeting was “Europe in fear of the threat from fundamentalist terrorism, and the value of human person and religious freedom.” Works were led by the two Co-Presidents of the Forum, Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and by Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Eszertegom-Budapest. The greeting speech was made by the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Orthodox Churches of Europe and the Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conferences. Our Church was represented by the Bishop of Elbasan, His Eminence, Andon.
Participants in the forum discussed topics such as human dignity and religious freedom; religious intolerance; discrimination and persecution; today’s fundamentalism and terrorism; social cohesion and the phenomenon of fear in the Rule of Law; the governments’ and Church mission; the Churches’ commitment in the handling of conflicts and in the promotion of common good and solidarity; the proclamation of Jesus Christ in response to the threat of fundamentalism and terrorism.
Finally the forum came out with a joint statement in which they affirmed the need for solidarity among Christian communities in order to cope with the growing anti-Christian intolerance, as well as the importance of acknowledging and cultivating the Christian roots and values on which Europe rises.
In addition, the Church representatives participated in the services of local communities, had meetings with journalists, etc.
Translated by: Juliana Kodheli
