Pro Oriente

A Catholic organization that aims at fostering dialogue and reconciliation in contexts of the ecumenical relations to the Orthodox and Oriental Churches

Initiators
PRO ORIENTE was founded by Cardinal Franz König during the proceedings of the Second Vatican Council on November 4, 1964, in Vienna.

Occasion
Cardinal Franz König (1905-2004) had been interested in the dialogue with other Churches and religions. During a hospital stay after a severe car accident, it became clear to Cardinal König that dialogues with Catholic Churches in the Eastern regions, then under Communist control, should be extended to the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches. To the Cardinal, Austria, as location for the initiative, presented special advantages. Austria´s and Vienna´s geographic and historic positions as well as Austria´s neutrality during the Cold War were perceived as opportunities for intercultural dialogues.

Target Groups
The initiative primarily addresses Christians of different denominations as well as people interested in Christianity. Since many orthodox and oriental-orthodox dialogue partners live in societies where Islam is the predominant religion, the subject of Islam as well as dialogues with Muslims play an important role. PRO ORIENTE also strives to maintain good relations to Jewish dialogue partners.

Objectives
In accordance with §3 of the foundation´s statutes, PRO ORIENTE sets out to “foster and promote the ecumenic relations between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches as well as the Oriental Orthodox Churches, to enhance the ecumenic spirit among Christians and to support ecumenic initiatives”.

Topics

  • Christianity and ecumene
  • Dialogue with the Syrian Christianity
  • Southeastern European history
  • Healing the memories
  • Synodality in Church and society
  • Networks with other actors committed to ecumene

Duration
Founded November 4, 1964, PRO ORIENTE´s dialogue initiatives are indefinite.

Activities
The activities include:

  • Theologic-academic dialogues
  • Projects in different countries, mainly relating to „empowerment“ and the promotion of reconciliation
  • Advocacy of concerns of the Eastern Churches
  • Travel activities for diplomatic purposes
  • Conferences, conventions and courses
    • International conference on the dialogue between Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches (3 days)
    • Ecumenic workshops on „Synodality in Church and Society“ for youths from different Churches in Middle Eastern countries (2 days each)
    • Summer Course for junior theologians from different Churches (4 days)
    • International conference on synodality in the Orthodox Churches (Rome, 4 days)
    • International conference on synodality in the Old Oriental Churches (Rome, 4 days)

The foundation cooperates with universities and ecumenic research institutes on federal, national and international levels.

Form of Organization
PRO ORIENTE was established as a church foundation of the Archdiocese of Vienna and as a legal entity of state law as well as an association. The head office is based in Vienna. Regional committees carry out functions of the foundation in the respective archdioceses or dioceses. Currently, there are sections in the Archdiocese of Salzburg and in the Dioceses of Graz-Seckau and Linz.

Funding
Church and public subsidies, private foundations, donors, subscriptions and friends of the initiative.

Products

  • PRO ORIENTE-magazine „Ökumene“ (three times a year)
  • Other Publications

Website | Social Media | Contact
https://www.pro-oriente.at/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProOrienteAustria/

Stiftung PRO ORIENTE
Hofburg, Marschallstiege II
A-1010 Wien

T:+43 1 5338021
F: +43 1 53380214
E-mail: office@pro-oriente.at

 

editor: kg / update: jk 2022