Eastern Churches Study Day
A study day on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Council Declaration Orientalium Ecclesiarum
21st November 2024
Time: 14:00 – 21:00
Location: Bistumshaus St. Otto, Heinrichsdamm 32, 96047 Bamberg
“It should also not go unmentioned that the churches of the Orient have from the beginning possessed a treasure from which the Church of the West […] has often drawn.” (UR 14)
60 years ago, on 21.11.64, the Second Vatican Council passed the decree Orientalium Ecclesiarum. It is certainly not one of the most quoted texts of the Council and yet it is of great importance – in our days even of unsuspected topicality.
The document deals with the so-called Eastern Catholic Churches, i.e. those churches that follow the tradition of the Eastern Church (not least about their liturgy) and yet are in communion with the Bishop of Rome (hence the term ‘churches united with Rome’). At the same time, the text also contains statements on the Orthodox churches themselves.
Since the refugee movements triggered by various events in recent years, more and more Christians who belong to one of the Eastern Catholic Churches have settled in our country. The communities in which they are organized in this country are growing steadily.
These perceptions coincide with the anniversary of the document and raise the question: What kind of churches are these that used to receive rather little attention in our country? And what does it mean to stand between the Roman Catholic tradition and the Orthodox forms of Christianity and the Church?
After presentations exploring these questions and a panel discussion, the day will conclude with a joint liturgical celebration and an invitation to meet and exchange ideas.
Expected program (subject to change):
14.00 – 14.15 Greetings
14.15 – 14.45 The Council Declaration ‘Orientalium Ecclesiarum’ and the Eastern Catholic Churches: Systematic Reflections – Prof. Dr Mar Koziel (Bamberg)
Prof Dr Elmar Koziel (Bamberg)
14.45 – 15.15 The Origin and Present of the Eastern Catholic Churches: Historical Perspectives – PD Dr Christian Lange (Erlangen)
15.15 – 15.45 Coffee break
15.45 – 16.15 The Catholic churches in the Catholic Church: perspectives on canon law – Prof. Dr Burkard Berkmann (Munich)
16.15 – 17.00 The Catholic Church in Germany and the Eastern Catholic Churches: Practical Perspectives – PD Dr Andriy Mikhaleiko (Eichstätt)
17.00 – 17.15 Break
17.15 – 18.15 Moderated panel discussion: The Eastern Catholic Churches today
18.30 – 19.30 Liturgical celebration
19.30 – 21.00 Agape and closing
This study day is an event organized by the Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue Office, Universities, and Theology in cooperation with the Collegium Orientale Eichstätt, the Eastern Church Institute Würzburg, and others.