R.O.A.C.O Assembly begins in Vatican

(June, 21, 2011) The 84th Meeting of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches, ROACO, began on Tuesday in the Vatican. R.O.A.C.O. is a committee which unites funding agencies from various countries around the world for the sake of providing assistance in different areas of Church life - from worship buildings to scholarships, from houses of study and formation to social and health care facilities. Founded in 1968 by the Congregation for Eastern Churches, R.O.A.C.O has as its President the Prefect of the Congregation, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, and as its Vice-President, the Secretary of the Congregation, Jesuit Archbishop Cyril Vasil. Coptic Catholic Patriarch Cardinal Antonios Naguib and newly elected Maronite Patriarch, Boutros Bechara Rai will be taking part in the meeting, which concludes on Friday (June 24).The two prelates will offer their analysis of the current situation of Christians in the Middle East, to assist Catholic service agencies support the mission of the Eastern Churches and their commitment to ecumenical and interreligious peace. Representatives from over 20 Catholic agencies from 10 Western countries are attending the meetings.