Formative meeting open to Catholics, Greek-Catholics and Orthodox in preparation for the European Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu in September: that’s the initiative being promoted by the missionaries of Mary Immaculate (OMI) at Bucharest. The 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly on the theme “The light of Christ shines upon all. Hope for Renewal and Unity in Europe” is due to be held in Sibiu, in the Romanian city of Transylvania, designated European Capital of Culture 2007, from 4 to 9 September 2007. To prepare for this event, the Romanian community of the OMI has therefore organized a series of meeting of ecumenical formation. The first was held to coincide with the meeting in Wittenberg in Germany, third stage of the process leading to Sibiu. On 17 February Gheorghe Gârbea, professor of liturgy at the Faculty of Theology, spoke about “unity”, first of the nine topics that will be treated in the Sibiu assembly. Projects to raise awareness, and to involve Christians in the ecumenical pilgrimage, were discussed in various workshops. The oblate community will continue its “pilgrimage” with other awareness-raising and formative activities. Another meeting is planned from 18 to 20 May, while an ecumenical session in tandem with the assembly in Sibiu will be held from 4 to 9 September.
