1st International Conference for Pastoral Health Care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

With the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,  the 1st International Conference for Pastoral Health Care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Conference will take place in Rhodes between the 8th and 13th of October 2008. Representative clergy from all the Metropolises throughout the world that belong to the Ecumenical Patriarchate will attend, together with representatives from the Churches of Greece, Cyprus, Albania and other pastoral health care providers. Also attending the conference will be representatives from other denominations. President of the Conference will be His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes.

The Honorable Dimitris Avramopoulos, Minister of Health and Social Solidarity of Greece. will officially open The Conference.

The Conference will focus on the difficulties which arise in pastoral health care, both on a practical and a theological level. Those participating will discuss the trends and developments of health care today, special concerns regarding issues such as care for children, the elderly, cancer, neurological illnesses, bioethical issues and the pastoral education of clergy in caring for the sick. They will also seek out ways in providing spiritual support to health care professionals and volunteer workers.

The goal of the Conference is to form a network for Pastoral Health Care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Such a network will give the opportunity to all who minister to the sick to benefit from sharing their knowledge and experience and to improve their training. Together with this, the network will contribute to the further development of ministries with high quality pastoral care. 

September 24, 2008

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