His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel on Saturday chaired the Diocesan Assembly of the Archdiocese of Bucharest at the Synodal Hall of the patriarchal residence, where His Beatitude presented the 2018 annual report.
Attending the meeting were all the members of the Diocesan Assembly, including the patriarchal auxiliary Bishops Varlaam of Ploiesti and Ieronim of Sinaia, as well as the assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Timotei of Prahova.
National Cathedral
In his opening remarks, the Patriarch stressed that ‘from a pastoral and missionary point of view’ last year’s main event was ‘the consecration of the holy altar of the National Cathedral,’ pointing to the contribution of the Archdiocese to the achievement of this ideal.
‘Through its diocesan centre, deaneries, parishes and monasteries, the Archdiocese of Bucharest was actively and efficiently involved in the good course of the events culminating with the consecration service on November 25, 2018, attended by 50,000 people, which was followed by a continuous pilgrimage until December 2, 2018 (over 150,000 pilgrims),’ His Beatitude said February 9.
Mission and philanthropy
The Patriarch of Romania noted that in 2018 the Archdiocese of Bucharest granted material and financial support summing 5.6 million RON (1.184 million Euros).
This amount ‘does not include expenses related to the many occasional or traditional charitable actions of parishes in favour of people in need, which have not been financially quantified,’ the Patriarch explained.
During the meeting, the activities carried out in 2018 by the Departments of the Diocesan Centre in Bucharest were presented and evaluated, also setting new goals for this year.
Te Deum thanksgiving service
The works of the Diocesan Assembly were preceded by a Te Deum thanksgiving service officiated by His Grace Bishop Timotei of Prahova at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Sts Constantine and Helen.
Diocesan Assembly
The Diocesan Assembly is the deliberative body for all administrative, cultural, social-philanthropic, economic and patrimonial issues of the eparchy. The Assembly is comprised of 30 representatives both clergy and lay believers.
(Source: basilica.ro – Photography courtesy of Luigi Ivanciu / Lumina Newspaper)