The reinforcement of intercultural and interfaith dialogue will be the central theme of the next plenary Assembly of the bishops of COMECE (Commission of the episcopates of the European Community), in response to the “sad misunderstanding created between Europe and the Moslem world following the publication of the caricatures of the prophet Mahomet”. “The Assembly says a press release put out by COMECE in recent days will be held in Brussels from 22 to 24 March. The bishops will reflect on and analyse the socio-political consequences of the publication of the caricatures with a view to adopting a plan of action aimed at reinforcing intercultural and interfaith dialogue at the European level. This plan will then be presented to the Austrian Presidency of the Union”. At their meeting in Brussels the bishops will also pay tribute to Bishop Josef Homeyer, who served as President of COMECE for 13 years and whose term of office has now ended. An evening debate will be held in his honour. The speakers will include Tadeusz Mazowiecki, former Polish Prime Minister, and Monsignor Michael Fitzgerald, apostolic nuncio in Egypt and, until recently, President of the Pontifical Council for Interfaith Dialogue.
