A Great Opportunity to Strengthen Our Work With and For the Eastern Catholic Churches

The Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches plenary, held in Rome from 23 to 26 June, brought together Catholic aid organizations and Church leaders from across the globe to coordinate efforts in support of Eastern Rite churches, particularly those in regions affected by conflict and displacement.

“This year, for the first time, ICMC was represented at the annual plenary meeting of the “Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches” (ROACO) in Rome. This is a gathering of all major institutions helping Eastern Catholic Churches, which has been hosted by the Vatican Dicastery for the Eastern Churches for several decades. During this meeting, we had the chance to dialogue with bishops and Church leaders from the Holy Land, Syria, Armenia and Ethiopia.

All participants were then received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV, who addressed the group with an inspiring message, that I recommend we all read and meditate.

ICMC’s mission is to support the universal Catholic Church – including Eastern rite Churches – on matters related to human mobility. Therefore, I am grateful to Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery, for inviting us to join this permanent working group, which provides a great opportunity to strengthen our work with and for Eastern Catholic Churches. I am confident that this will help us better serve ICMC’s global mission.”

Davide Bernocchi, ICMC Secretary General

Founded in 1968 as the Vatican’s humanitarian arm for Eastern Catholics, ROACO operates under the Vatican Dicastery for the Eastern Churches. Its annual plenary sessions aim to coordinate humanitarian and pastoral assistance to Eastern communities.

Read the Papal Address

Read the Vatican News coverage of the meeting and of Pope Leo XIV’s Address