Archbishop Denis Hart appointed to Vatican Congregation for Oriental Churches Media Release 20 February, 2014

The Holy Father Francis has appointed Archbishop of Melbourne and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) Archbishop Denis James Hart to the Congregation for Oriental Churches.

This Congregation is the Dicastery of the Roman Curia responsible for contact with the Eastern Catholic Churches, and maintains a particular dialogue which affirms the liturgical and spiritual practices of the Eastern Catholic Churches, and maintains the inseparable unity they have with Latin Rite Churches.

This Congregation will also welcome as members Cardinal , Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome; Archbishop William Charles Skurla of Pittsburgh of the Byzantines; Archbishop , Secretary of State; Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Archbishop of Westminster; Archbishop of ; Archbishop Joseph Edward Kurtz of Louisville; Archbishop Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo of Belo Horizonte and Bishop Joseph Werth of Transfiguration of Novosibirsk.

The Announcement comes as the ACBC prepares to welcome its fifth Eparchy (the Eparchy of St Thomas of Melbourne, also known as the Syro-Malabar Church) to its ranks.

Archbishop Hart as president of the ACBC is pleased to serve in this role, which will involve specific dialogue with the Eastern Churches in Australia and across the world.

“The Oriental or Eastern Churches bring a rich diversity to our , and their colourful ritual is a source of joy which shows the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people of all nations.

“This appointment I hope will allow me to encounter to truly “universal” Church in a deeper way, and I thank the Holy Father for this appointment”, he said.

“In Australia, we are blessed to have the Melkite Church, The Maronite Church, the Ukrainian Church, the Chaldean Church, and the Australian bishops will attend the installation of the new Eparch of the St. Thomas of Melbourne on 25 March in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.”

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