June 14 through 17, 2018, the annual meeting of the Eastern Catholic Bishops of Europe was held in the Eparchy of Lungro of the Italian-Albanians of Continental Italy, at the invitation of H. Ex. Msgr. Donato Oliverio, the local eparchial bishop. The meeting, sponsored by the Council of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE), took place in the town of Rende in the framework of the preparation for the celebrations for the first centenary of the institution of the Eparchy of Lungro, which took place on February 13, 1919 with the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Benedict XV, "Catholici Fideles Graeci Ritus.", CCEE press service informs.
The central theme of the meeting, divided into several working sessions, was "The face of an Eastern Church. Theology - Particular Law – Liturgy." Several Conferences have marked the rhythm of the days and have led the reflection on different aspects of the life of the Eastern Catholic Churches of Europe at the present time, and specifically: The Bishop - Father, Head, and Judge. Some fundamental aspects of the new process of marriage (Motu Proprio Mitis et misericors Iesu); Liturgy and identity between fidelity and renewal; The divine liturgy generates the new man; Peculiar features of the identity of an Eastern Church; Common disciplinary heritage; The inter-eparchial particular law and an open door: the contribution of the Italian-Albanian Church to the ecumenical journey.
The bishops dealt with the theme of the face of a Catholic Eastern Church from various perspectives: historical, liturgical, disciplinary, and ecumenical. They clearly stated that only a greater adhesion and understanding of the identity of an Eastern Catholic Church, in the light of the Second Vatican Council, allows for a better testimony, incisiveness, and pastoral response to the current challenges facing the European continent, and for a true sharing of the treasure of the Christian East in the heart of the Universal Church.