The annual meeting of the general secretaries of the bishops' conferences of 29 European countries took place in Istanbul from June 15 to 18, 2025. The theme of the meeting was “The Reform of the Ecclesiastical Structures in a Missionary and Synodal Perspective.” The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was represented by Bishop Andriy Khimyak, who serves as the secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC.
Significant moments of the program included a meeting with His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and a visit to the city of Nicaea, reports the UGCC Department for Information.
The President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE), Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, highlighted the symbolic significance of the location and timing for the meeting. The event was held in a region where the Church thrived in the early centuries of Christianity, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which established the Nicene Creed — the first conciliar document to use the expression “We believe.”
The first session focused on the theme “The Reform of the Ecclesiastical Structures in a Missionary and Synodal Perspective.” Professor Michele Miraglia from LUMSA University in Rome presented the principles of the “missionary conversion of the Church,” discussing the role of episcopal conferences in supporting the ecclesial community.
Participants visited Nicaea (modern-day Iznik), the site of the first Ecumenical Council held in 325. In this sacred location, attendees collectively recited the Creed, raising a unified hymn of praise to heaven for the gift of faith.
The second day centered around the theme of synodality. Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Pontifical Synod, discussed “The Process of Accompanying the Implementation Phase of the Synod.” He emphasized that the new phase of the synodal process, which has just begun and will continue until 2028, requires active support from the Bishops’ Conferences.
A key highlight was the meeting between the participants and His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew at the residence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Phanar. The Patriarch underscored the special significance of this gathering in the year marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.
In his address, the Patriarch of Constantinople stressed the importance of the relationship between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Catholic Church. He expressed his joy over the election of Pope Leo XIV, stating, “We are confident that under his leadership the bonds between our two Churches will continue to deepen in truth and love.” The Patriarch also expressed his anticipation for the Pope's visit scheduled for this fall.
On behalf of the CCEE, Archbishop Grušas assured the Patriarch of the importance of the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
On the final day of the meeting, Dr. Beate Gilles, Secretary General of the German Bishops' Conference, shared her experiences implementing the Synodal Way in Germany, which began in 2019.
The next meeting of the General Secretaries is scheduled for June 14-17, 2026, in Belgrade.