German Catholics to honor Pat Bartholomew for his contribution to ecumenism

Cardinal Reinhard Marx will deliver a speech in honor of Patriarch Bartholomew

Two Roman Catholic organizations in Bavaria have announced their joint decision to present their annual awards to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople for his role in advancing ecumenical dialogue between Christian churches.

According to Orthodox Times, the official announcement was made on April 23, 2025. The awards will be granted by the Catholic Academy of Bavaria and the Benedictine Abbey of Niederaltaich.

“It was announced that two Roman Catholic institutions in Bavaria have decided to jointly award their annual prizes – for the first time ever – to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in recognition of his contribution to the Ecumenical Dialogue, that is, the effort to bring Christian Churches closer together,” the announcement stated.

The award ceremony will take place on June 6 at the Catholic Academy of Bavaria, with high-ranking representatives of the ecumenical movement and the Roman Catholic Church expected to attend.

Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, President of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, will deliver an address in honor of Patriarch Bartholomew. The official part of the event will conclude with a speech by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew had also been honored for his climate advocacy and ecumenical efforts.

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