The welcome message was delivered during the official opening ceremony of the Congress by Fr. Daniel Bulai, Episcopal Vicar of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest and Head of the Office for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue of the Archdiocese.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest for its support in organizing this unique event and for granting permission to reproduce this message in its entirety.
Mr. President,
Your Excellencies, Your Graces,
Honourable Ministers and Representatives of the Public Authorities,
Distinguished Members of the Academic Community,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest, we are delighted to welcome the convening of the 14th World Congress for Syriac Studies and the 12th International Conference on Christian Arabic Studies in Romania's capital. The fact that these prestigious academic gatherings are being held in Eastern Europe for the first time is both an honour for our country and a recognition of its vocation as a place of encounter, dialogue, and cooperation among cultures and traditions.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Levant Institute and to all those who made the organization of this congress in Bucharest possible. In particular, we wish to express our profound appreciation to President and Emeritus Professor Emil Constantinescu, whose vision and steadfast commitment to promoting a culture of dialogue, peace, and international cooperation have played a decisive role in bringing this distinguished event to Romania. This initiative represents a valuable contribution to affirming our country's role as a meeting ground for traditions, cultures, and academic communities from around the world.
Syriac and Christian Arab heritage constitutes an essential part of the living memory of the Universal Church. Its study, conservation and promotion are not only scholarly pursuits of the highest calibre, but also a shared responsibility towards future generations. In a world marked by tensions and fragmentation, a deeper understanding of the common roots of faith and culture can become a genuine source of reconciliation and hope.
The theme of this year's edition, "Peace and Dialogue: Prerequisites for the Protection of Our Tangible and Spiritual Heritage," expresses the conviction that true peace is built upon mutual understanding, respect, and sincere cooperation. In this spirit, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest is honoured to be a partner in this event and reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that foster dialogue among Churches, communities and peoples, in the service of the common good.
We extend our warmest wishes for a successful and fruitful congress to all participants. It is our hope that the reflections and academic exchanges taking place over these five days will contribute to the strengthening of peace, the safeguarding of Christianity's spiritual heritage, and the deepening of bonds of friendship and cooperation among scholars, academic institutions, and ecclesial communities throughout the world.
His Grace, Aurel Percă
Metropolitan Archbishop of Bucharest
