The meeting starts tomorrow in Halki, the monastery that one was the seat of the Greek Orthodox Theological School. The patriarch and Maria Voce will present the main reports, but bishops from various Churches are expected to address the gathering as well, including Card Kurt Koch, who is in Istanbul as the head of the Holy See delegation to the Patriarchate for the feast day of Saint Andrew.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) – The 34th meeting of Bishops from various Churches will start tomorrow, 25 November, on Heybeliada (Halki) Island, in the sea of ​​Marmara, at the monastery that once was the seat of the Greek Orthodox Theological School of Halki (pictured), organised by the Focolare Movement.

Some 50 participants from 19 countries are expected to join Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who will present, along with Focolare president Maria Voce, one of the main reports to the conference, which will be moderated by Card Francis Kriengsak, archbishop of Bangkok.

During the event, bishops from various churches are expected to speak, including Anglican Robin Smith, Lutheran Åke Bonnier, Catholic Brendan Leahy, Armenian Apostolic Sahak Mashalyan, and Orthodox Metropolitan Elpidophoros Halki.

The co-president of the Focolare Movement Jesús Morán will offer a reflection on "The charism of unity faced with the challenges of humanity today."

Gerhard Pross, an Evangelical from YMCA Germany, will speak about the ‘Steps and experiences on the journey towards unity’ on behalf of the ecumenical network of movements and communities "Together for Europe".

Cardinal Kurt Koch, who is in Istanbul as head of the Holy See delegation to the Patriarchate for the feast day of Saint Andrew, will also address the gathering.

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