Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
February 20, 2002

At the invitation of the Commission of the Bishops Conference of the European Union (COMECE), the Commission for Dialogue of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church visited Hilldesheim, Germany from 11-13 February 2002.

The two-day discussions, which were hosted by Dr. Jozef Homaer, Bishop of Hilldesheim, represent the continuation of a high level dialogue, initiated in 2000 in Belgrade, as well as other frequent contacts and various forms of cooperation.

The central themes were the importance of witness of both Churches, especially that which concerns the spiritual side of the process of integration into Europe, human rights, specific questions regarding moral dilemmas for the West (e.g., euthanasia), cooperation in humanitarian assitance, and also perspectives on future relations between COMECE and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The delegations, aiming for a deeper Christian understanding and holistic view of contemporary pastoral and theological challenges, in benefit of all Europeans, agreed upon a dialogue which will be continued in the middle of next year.

The representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church were Their Graces Bishops: Lavrentije of Shabac-Valjevo, Irinej of Backa, Justin of Timok, Constantine of Middle Europe, and Ignatije of Branicevo; together with Archpriest Radovan Bigovic, Dean of the Theological Faculty of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and Protosingelos Andrej (Cilerdzic), from the staff of the Holy Synod of Bishops.

The Commission of the Bishops Conference of the European Union (COMECE) was represented by: Their Excellencies Bishop: Jozef Homaer from Germany (also host on this occasion), Luke de Hovre, from Brussels, Van Lojn from Holland, Nicora from Italy; as well as the Reverend Clergy: Noel Mektreanor from Ireland, Nikolaus Virvol from Germany, and Professor Dr. Tomas Bremer from Germany.