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Christians in the Middle East: a meeting at PIME in Milan

On the eve of the Synod, a round table with figures from the Middle East: Mgr. Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Arabia, Mgr. Giacinto-Marcuzzo Boulos, Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Israel; Arlette Samman, head of the Focolare Movement for Lebanon. Appointment for October 9 at PIME Milan in via Mosé Bianchi 94.

Milan (AsiaNews) - From October 10 to 24 Benedict XVI has convoked a synod in Rome for the Middle East which has as its theme "The Catholic Church in the Middle East: Communion and Witness" - The meeting of bishops and experts of the region, will serve to focus on the difficult witness of Christians in this region; seek paths of dialogue with Jews and Muslims in society, foster greater unity among Christian denominations, study concrete ways for the universal Church to support the community in the area.

Precisely in view of this event Mondo e Missione in collaboration with the Lombardy based Servizio unitario di animazione missionaria (United service for active mission - Suam), are hosting a round table discussion on Saturday morning, October 9th, on "Witnesses of the Gospel in the Middle East of today". The aim of the encounter is to allow the general public to hear first hand accounts of some witnesses who will speak about the situation of Christians in some Middle East countries.

Introduced by Mondo e Missione journalist Giorgio Bernardelli speakers include:

Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Arabia, who will speak about the plight of Christians in the land of Mecca and Medina and the emirates of the Persian Gulf.
Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, Vicar of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Israel, who will present the experience of the Arab Christian community and the thousands of foreign Christian workers who are now living in the Jewish state;
Arlette Samman, a lay woman, head of the Focolare Movement for Lebanon on dialogue with Muslims in this "mosaic nation," still shaken by severe tensions.

During the morning Chiara Zappa, Mondo e Missione journalist, will present a report entitled "Persian Gulf, the East where the church is growing," published by the magazine on the occasion of the Synod.

The round table "Witnesses of the Gospel in the Middle East today" will be held from 9:30 to 12:30 on Saturday 9th October at PIME headquarters in Milan, via Mosé Bianchi 94 (stop MM1 Lotto).

Journalists wishing to arrange interviews with speakers should contact the secretariat of Mondo e Missione, on 02/43.822.317.