Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches of Europe : September 2025
Report: Rev Msamsana Tony Michael, Rome
From September 8–11, 2025, the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches of Europe was held in Vienna, Austria, under the patronage of the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE), focusing on the theme “Unity in Diversity.”
This meeting brought together over 65 bishops and more than 100 representatives of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
Bishop Mar Joseph Srampickal of the Syro Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain was present, and on the second day of the meeting, He presided over the celebration of the Holy Qurbana of the Syro-Malabar Church, uniting our liturgical heritage with the universal mission of the Church. Mar Joseph attended the pleanery meeting in the traditional attire of the Syro Malabar Church and the East Syriac tradition. The other Eastern Catholic Bishops also attended in their own traditional attire showing the beauty of the unity of Catholic Church in its diversity.
The sessions explored three dimensions of ecclesial communion: with the Bishop of Rome, among the Eastern Catholic Churches themselves, and between Eastern Catholics and the Latin Rite Church.
Cardinal Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches highlighted the “symphonic” relationship between unity and diversity, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities of maintaining universality while respecting each sui iuris Church’s specificity. Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, President of CCEE, spoke on the gift and responsibility of communion among Eastern Churches, stressing their experience and contributions to a secularized Europe, synodality, and episcopal collegiality. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn shared the experience of the Austrian Ordinariate for Eastern Catholics, showing how it protects the identity of sui iuris Churches while fostering harmonious relations with the Latin Rite.
The assembly concluded with proposals to strengthen youth participation, especially at World Youth Day, enhance clerical formation especially of Latin Clergy, aimed at understanding other traditions, accompanied by a concrete exchange of experiences, making available the publication of canonical documents pertaining to one’s rite, support bi-ritual clergy, deepen ecumenical relations, and ensure effective follow-up on assembly decisions.
Final Statement (Translation)
Assembly of Eastern Catholic Bishops of Europe 2025
Vienna (Austria), September 8-11, 2025
“Unity in Diversity”
The 26th Assembly of Eastern Catholic Bishops of Europe took place in Vienna from September 8 to 11, 2025. This meeting brought together over 65 bishops and more than 100 representatives of the Eastern Catholic Churches. The meeting, organized under the patronage of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) at the invitation of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Ordinary of Catholics of the Eastern Churches in Austria, marked the 250th anniversary of the “Barbareum,” the Greek Catholic seminary founded in Vienna by Empress Maria Theresa.
Participants included Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, President of the CCEE, and Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio to Austria. Also present were the heads of several Eastern Catholic Churches, including Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church), Archbishop Jonáš Maxim (Slovak Greek Catholic Church), and Archbishop Fülöp Kocsis (Hungarian Greek Catholic Church).
Unity in Diversity: The Three Pillars of Communion
With the aim of strengthening communion among the various components of the Catholic Church in Europe, the central theme “Unity in Diversity” was addressed in three working sessions according to the three dimensions of ecclesial communion in Europe: communion with the Bishop of Rome; that of the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris among themselves; and that of the Eastern Catholics with the Latin Rite Church.
- The first working session was introduced by Cardinal Gugerotti. In his presentation, the Cardinal Prefect offered an interpretative approach that goes beyond the repetition of good thoughts on unity, and also highlights the constant “symphonic” dynamism that should animate the two poles: unity and diversity, that is, universality (of the one Catholic Church) and specificity (of each of the sui iuris Churches). This dynamic relationship is not without problems and conflicts, both at the jurisdictional and cultural, political, and economic levels. In illustrating some of these issues, the Cardinal Prefect illustrated the Holy See’s commitment to supporting the desired symphony, Armome.
- The second theme, that of communion among the Eastern Catholic Churches in Europe, was addressed by Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, President of the CCEE, who highlighted in his speech the gift and commitment this communion entails, emphasizing the esteem and appreciation with which the Eastern Catholic Churches are regarded, and the many lessons they can and must offer to the universal Church in an increasingly secularized Europe. They are invited to value their experience as a “little flock.” Recalling the CCEE’s ongoing, historic commitment to the annual meeting of Eastern Catholic Bishops of Europe, the President reiterated the importance of the active sharing experienced at these meetings, with a particular focus on the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality, in which Eastern Catholics have much to offer, drawing on their rich experience of synodality and episcopal collegiality, as well as the creative balance between the various ecclesial bodies of participation.
- Describing the establishment of the first Ordinariate for Orientals in Vienna in 1935 as a “provisional structure to assist migrant faithful,” Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, in his report on the communion of Eastern Catholics with the Latin Rite Church, highlighted the importance of Ordinariates as a constructive way to protect, on the one hand, the specificity of each of the sui iuris Churches in a territory of Latin jurisdiction, and on the other, to overcome the difficulties that a second hierarchy would create in coextensive territories. The Cardinal illustrated the rich experience of the Austrian Ordinariate, which has grown considerably over the last 20 years and now comprises 43 Eastern communities, welcomed not only in the Archdiocese of Vienna but throughout Austria, with the support of the Austrian Episcopal Conference, in administrative terms (baptismal and marriage registries) and financially (support of clerics, especially married ones, to achieve equal treatment with the Latin Rite clergy). Latin). The close and cordial relationship between the Ordinary and the visitors and leaders of the sui iuris Churches is a fundamental element for a stronger communion between the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Latin Rite Church in Europe.
The group discussions culminated in a plenary discussion, in which participants expressed their desire to work more closely on the following proposals:
A more detailed representation of young people from the sui iuris Churches at World Youth Days.
More careful training in the educational programs of clerics, especially those of the Latin rite, aimed at understanding other traditions, accompanied by a concrete exchange of experiences. An acceleration in the publication of canonical documents pertaining, among other things, to the faithful’s belonging to their respective sui iuris Churches, which occurs in a juridical, ritual-pastoral sense, and in connection with the central government.
An understanding of the new sensitivity regarding biritualism and adaptation to the rite, now more restricted than in the past, and with Emphasis on primacy for the care of one’s rite of origin.
Attention to the support of clerics of sui iuris Churches engaged in bi-ritualism in diaspora contexts.
Greater discernment in ecumenical relations with the Orthodox Churches regarding the validity of the sacraments and the recognition of apostolic succession.
A hope for effective and efficient follow-up to the work initiated in the annual assemblies, through an appropriate structure for managing the documents and actions undertaken.
Highlights of the program
In addition to the work sessions, the program was enriched by moments that strengthened ties between participants and with the institutions.
Of primary importance were the liturgical celebrations in the various rites: the Akathistos hymn in various languages; the Holy Qurbana in the Syro-Malabar rite; and the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the latter also celebrated in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a unique event for the Church history in Austria, with the presence of 60 Eastern bishops. The event attracted the attention of national media, which chose to broadcast it live.
p. 2 of 3
Relations with civil institutions were also fostered, with the Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Michael Ludwig, inviting participants to a luncheon in the prestigious Stadtsenatssitzungssaal of the Vienna City Hall.
Equally significant was the meeting at the Archbishop’s Palace with the Representative of the European Union Commission in Austria, Patrick Lobis, and Federal Minister Claudia Plakolm, where the dialogue focused on the mutual expectations between the Church and civil institutions for the future of Europe.
The participants were welcomed by the Apostolic Nuncio to Austria, Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, in the historic nunciature building. They then visited Klosterneuburg Abbey, where they were able to appreciate the history and spirituality of the place, as well as enjoy a dinner under the auspices of Abbot Anton Höslinger, CanReg.
The closing session included a presentation by Prof. Dr. Thomas Mark Németh on the history and presence of the Eastern Catholic Churches in Austria.
The next meeting of the bishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches of Europe is scheduled for
September 15-18, 2026, in Máriapócs, Hungary. The meeting will focus on topics related to missionary formation in the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris through catechisms, mystagogy, and
the transmission of the faith, as well as the strengthening of Eastern identity in the diaspora.
Report and translation of final statement: Msamsana Tony Michael
References: https://www.facebook.com/episcopiagrecocatolicaoradea/photos_albums accesssed on 18/09/2025