Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Patriarchal Network

The Steering Committee of the Patriarchal Network for Pastoral Health Care met in Constantinople between the 9^th and 13^th of January 2019. The Committee convened at the Fanar.  Rev. Protopres. Stavros Kofinas, Coordinator of the Patriarchal Network, chaired the committee meetings.

The Steering Committee is comprised of qualified professional co-workers who serve in the various regions of the Ecumenical Throne and in the area of Health. The members that make-up the Committee for the period of 2018-2020 are: Very Rev. Dr. Archim. Chrysostomos Tympas, Archdiocese of Theratera and Great Britain; Very Rev. Archim. Meletios Flouris, Holy Metropolis of Arkalochori, Kastelli and Viannos; Rev. Protopres. Peter Salmas, Metropolis of San Francisco; Rev. Protopres. Emmanuel Sklivakis, Holy Metropolis of Rhodes; Rev. Protopres. Lambros Kamberidis, Holy Metropolis of Canada; Rev. Protopres.  Dr. Gianpaolo Perletti, Metropolis of Belgium; Hon. Dr. Elias Thodis M.D., Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis; Hon. Dr. Athanasia Gore, Holy Metropolis of Detroit, Psychologist; Hon. Paraskevi Feleki, R.N.; The Very Rev. Archim Chysanthos Papapostolou represented the Organizing Committee of the Patriarchal Network.

During their deliberations, the Committee Members evaluated the development of the Patriarchal Network from its founding (2008) to the present day. All expressed the opinion that during this period the Patriarchal Network has become a point of reference and a creditable institution which brings together, under the protection of the Ecumenical Throne and the Mother Church, clergy, laypeople, professionals, various institutions and providers that minister to the whole person. It is a living witness of the vigilant pastoral concern that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has for each person that suffers.

The Committee examined ways whereby the Patriarchal Network, beyond the triennial Conferences it organizes, can better support the Metropolises and professionals in healthcare to improve the care that they offer. In addition to this, its members underlined the strong need to provide spiritual support to all caregivers and care providers, creating a bond of fellowship by way of liturgical services and special events.

The theme that was proposed for the 5th Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care is: “Let the children” … for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven’: Ministering to the child in a challenging world. The conference will be held between the 14^th and 18^th of October 2020. The theme will be submitted to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for approval.

At the end of the Steering Committee’s deliberations, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew accepted its members with open arms. He expressed his personal satisfaction regarding the progress of the Patriarchal Network and the admiration and trust that the Ecumenical Patriarchate holds regarding its work.  The Patriarch listened carefully and with great interest to the Coordinator of the Network and the Committee Members who informed him regarding the conclusions of their meeting and congratulated them for the theme they chose for the upcoming Conference. In closing, His All-Holiness expressed his paternal support and best wishes for success, not only in the preparations of the upcoming Conference, but also in the future activities of the Network.

Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
for Pastoral Health Care
January 25, 2019

pastoralhealth-ep.com