In response to the invitation of Rumanian Orthodox Church Patriarch Teoctist I and his Synod, the annual international Meeting of Bishops from different Churches, friends of the Focolare Movement, was held this time in Bucarest, Rumania, a country considered to be, in many ways, a bridge between the East and West.

The Patriarch himself opened the meeting which was attended by bishops from 19 different countries. The Orthodox Church was represented by bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, of the Patriarchates of Rumania, Serbia, and of the OrthodoxChurch of the Czech and Slovak Republics. Also present were Bishops of the Syrian-Orthodox Church from Syria, India and the Netherlands. The Anglican Church of England was also represented, as well as the Lutheran Churches of Germany and Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Rumania and the United States. A Bishop of the Methodist Church of Brazil participated, and 14 Catholic bishops from different countries.

“The presence of the Risen Lord in the midst of his people: center of ecclesial life and heart of our shared witness,” was the title of the meeting, the theme which was developed in the reflections offered. The mystery of Jesus who becomes present – as he promised – where “two or more are united in his name” was the topic the bishops wished to deepen as a means to communicate the Faith in these present times and a way to reach full visible communion of the Church of Christ. Theological and spiritual reflections were interwoven with moments of dialogue and exchange of experiences which demonstrated the action of the Risen Christ in daily life and in the most varied environments.

Chiara Lubich gave an important contribution to deepening the mystery of Jesus’ presence through a videotaped conversation, since this presence of Jesus in the community is the characteristic of the charism of unity.

Contact with the monastic life, liturgy and iconography of the orthodox Church in Rumania, was an enrichment and an added impulse towards reaching a more profound communion with the Rumanian Orthodox Church and with other Churches existing in the country.

In turn, bishops coming from different countries were able to offer their witness of fraternal communion to this nation which, in answer to the cry “unity, unity” gave a significant contribution to the cause of Christian unity on the occasion of John Paul II’s visit to Rumania in 1999.