More than 40 media officers and communication specialists from Catholic eparchies and dioceses in Romania, along with guests from the Vatican and Rome will take part in the national conference hosted in Oradea between March 12 - 14 by the Romanian Greek-Catholic Diocese of Oradea, under the aegis of the Commission for Social Communications of the Romanian Episcopal Conference of Romania (CER).

'The event offers a framework for training, reflection and cooperation. The program includes conferences, working sessions, liturgical celebrations and moments of professional dialogue, with the participation of several guests from Romania and abroad,' the host diocese said in a statement.

Media operators will attend thematic sessions dedicated to ecclesial communication, the responsible use of new technologies, and strengthening cooperation among Catholic media representatives in Romania.

The theme of the meeting is inspired by the message of the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV for this year's World Communications Day - 'Preserving human voices and faces' - highlighting the importance of promoting genuine media literacy. The theme underscores the need to develop critical thinking, especially among young people, the responsibility of communication in the digital age, and the importance of authentic media and AI literacy in the service of truth and human dignity.

The program includes conferences and workshops led by guests from Romania and abroad, professional dialogue sessions, liturgical celebrations in both the Greek-Catholic and Latin rites, the Way of the Cross at the Greek-Catholic Cathedral of St. Nicholas, as well as cultural activities such as a tour of Oradea and the symphonic concert 'Piano sparks, orchestral storm' at the Oradea State Philharmonic.

The official opening will take place on Thursday, March 12, at 16:00, in the Aula Magna of the Greek-Catholic Theological Seminary in Oradea (20 Parcul Traian Street).

Speakers will include: Claudiu Lucian, Major Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church and President of the CER Commission for Social Communications; László Böcskei, Roman Catholic Bishop of Oradea and President of CER; George Bologan, Romania's Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta; and Virgil Bercea, Greek-Catholic Bishop of Oradea and host of the meeting.

Among the guests are Italian journalist Andrea Gagliarducci, Vatican affairs analyst; Fr. Adrian Danca, head of the Romanian-language section of Vatican News; and Alina Balaj, communications manager at the Research Laboratory of the University of Santa Croce in Rome.

The 2026 National Catholic Media Conference will take place in the Aula Magna of the Greek-Catholic Theological Seminary 'The Three Holy Hierarchs' in Oradea.

'Through this initiative, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Romania reaffirms its commitment to supporting responsible, professional communication rooted in Christian values, in the service of Truth and the dignity of the human person,' the statement adds. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Mihai Stoica; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)