In a press release, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches reported that the works of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO) began at 4:00 pm on June 21, 2021, with the Steering Committee in Rome’s Casa Bonus Pastor.
Representatives of the Catholic Agencies that are part of ROACO, officials of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, and Representatives of the State Secretariat’s Section for Relations with States as well as other Dicasteries involved will attend the Plenary Assembly.
The note states that on Tuesday, June 22 at 8:30 am, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and ROACO’s President, will preside over the opening Mass during which prayers will be said for all living and deceased benefactors, entrusting to the Lord and to the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God the unfolding of the programmed sessions and, in particular, the countries of the area that continue suffering the consequences of the violence and social and political instability, aggravated by the existing pandemic.
The Holy Land
The first session will address the situation in the Holy Land, and will include the contribution of the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, Pierbattista Pizzaballa; of the Custos and Guardian of Mount Sion, Friar Francis Patton, OFM, and of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bethlehem, Friar Peter Bray. Information will also be shared on the 2020 Pro Terra Sancta fundraiser.
On Tuesday, June 22, attention will be focused on Ethiopia, Armenia, and Georgia, with the contribution of the respective Apostolic Nuncios, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, and Monsignor José Avelino Bettencourt.
The Middle East
Finally, on Wednesday morning, June 23, the attendants will reflect on the situation in the Middle East, which will include the interventions of the Vatican Secretary of State for Relations with States, Monsignor Richard Gallagher, and the Papal Representatives in Syria, Cardinal Mario Zenari; Lebanon, Monsignor Joseph Spiteri, and Iraq, Monsignor Mitja Leskovar.
