The Greek-Catholic Diocese of Oradea will host, from May 23 to 27, the international conference of the World Union of Catholic Teachers (UMEC-WUCT), organised at the invitation of the Greek-Catholic Bishop of Oradea, Virgil Bercea, under the theme 'Education as Mission: Cooperation and Exchange of Best Practices Between Member States'.

According to a press release issued by the Diocese and sent to Agerpres on Wednesday, the event will bring together in Oradea teachers, representatives of Catholic organisations and guests from several countries around the world, in a context of reflection and dialogue dedicated to the contemporary challenges of education and the role schools and teachers play in shaping new generations.

Delegates from Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, the United States, Philippines, Chile, Slovakia, Slovenia, Georgia, Malta and Congo will attend, along with Vincent Dollmann, a senior figure of the Roman Catholic Church in France and currently Archbishop of Cambrai in northern France.

The conference reflects the Church's constant concern for supporting an education founded on human dignity, responsibility and solidarity.

Over the five days, participants will take part in liturgical celebrations and prayer moments at the 'Transfiguration' Church in Velenta, the Greek-Catholic Cathedral of St Nicholas and the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, with participation from pupils of the 'Iuliu Maniu' Greek-Catholic High School and the 'Szent Laszlo' Roman Catholic Theological High School in Oradea.

The programme will also include working sessions, round-table discussions and meetings dedicated to international cooperation in education, held in the Aula Magna of the 'Holy Three Hierarchs' Greek-Catholic Theological Seminary, as well as visits to educational institutions and cultural landmarks in the city.

The official opening of the conference will take place on May 25 at Oradea City Hall, in the presence of representatives of the Church, civil authorities and the academic and educational communities.

'At a time marked by social tensions, conflicts and profound cultural transformations, the conference in Oradea aims to provide an authentic space for encounter and reflection on the mission of education in contemporary society. The topics addressed will highlight the need for education oriented towards peace, cooperation, respect for the individual and responsibility towards the environment, reaffirming the role of the teacher as a witness of hope and a shaper of consciences,' the press release states.

Father Paul Popa, from the Pastoral Office of the Greek-Catholic Diocese of Oradea, spiritual assistant for Europe within UMEC-WUCT and member of the Executive Committee, said that the meeting also represents 'a sign of support for teachers who carry out their educational mission often under difficult and insufficiently recognised conditions'.

In this context, the words addressed by Pope Leo XIV to educators are also recalled, calling on them to be 'pilgrims of hope' and 'promoters of dignity, justice and trust'.

'By organising this international conference, the Greek-Catholic Diocese of Oradea reaffirms the importance of cooperation between the Church, schools and society and supports the promotion of an education that places the human person, openness to dialogue and Gospel values at its centre,' the press release added. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Eugenia Pasca; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)