The strengthening of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue will be the focal issue of the next plenary assembly of the bishops of Comece (EU Episcopates Commission), in response to the "sad misunderstandings between Europe and the Muslim world, after the publication of the cartoons of the prophet Muhammad". "The Assembly specifies a release sent today by Comece will take place from March 22nd to 24th in Brussels. The bishops will reflect and review the socio-political consequences of the publication of the cartoons, with a view to adopting an action plan for strengthening inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue across Europe. Then, the plan will be submitted to the Austrian chair of the EU". In Brussels, the bishops will also celebrate the end of the office of mgr. Josef Homeyer, who has presided Comece for 13 years. A talk/party will be organised in his honour, which will be attended by Tadeusz Mazowiecki, ex prime minister of Poland, and mgr. Michael Fitzgerald, apostolic nuncio to Egypt and, until not so long ago, president of the Papal Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.
