The permanent councils of the episcopal conferences of Romania and Hungary held a joint meeting in Oradea on 26-27 September 2022, as guests of the local Latin bishop.
The discussion focused on the synodal journey in the universal Church initiated by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, help provided for war refugees, youth and education, priest education, Roma pastoral care and cultural assets.
The bishops reaffirmed the importance of the values of family and marriage. Marriage is a natural union of love between a man and a woman, as confirmed by the teaching of Jesus Christ. “The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family.” (Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et Spes 47). That is why we are all called to work for marriage and family.
Praying together, also with the local community, was an important element of the meeting. The bishops agree that regular meetings should continue and call on all to pray to God continually for peace in Europe and in the world, asking for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.
Oradea, 27 September 2022
The Permanent Council of the Romanian Episcopal Conference
The Permanent Council of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference