Pro Oriente
Aim
Maintain ecumenical relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox, pre-Chalcedonian and pre-Ephesian church; promote and deepen ecumenical spirit among Christians and support ecumenical activities; organise scientific events and exchange of scientists; produce publications and promote their distribution; implement research projects; tender and award prizes and scholarships; create paid employment facilities of the foundation to conduct their operations.
History
Pro Oriente was founded on 4 November 1964 by the then Archbishop of Vienna, Dr. Franz Koenig.
IRD Activities
- Meetings on the History of Southeastern Europe
The meetings of the history of Southeast Europe are intended to contribute to understanding, reconciliation, and peace by accounting for the common past. The meetings will be prepared by the Commission for Southeast European history and are attended by people from an interdisciplinary and inter-religious field to stimulate dialogue
- Forum Syriacum
The study of the history and the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Syriac tradition as well as their relationships with other cultures and religions was the focus of scientific meetings that were organised by Pro Oriente Forum Syriacum. Due to the difficult political and demographic situation in the Middle East, the first three meetings (2007-2013) were under the heading Encounter with Islam. The conflict with Islam in the history and the development of future prospects were key moments. The experts from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the USA, Great Britain, India, and the Netherlands contributed to a better understanding of the historical and presented papers were published in the series "Pro Oriente Studies in the Syriac tradition".
Main Focus Countries of Activities
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia - Austria - Croatia - Bulgaria - Rome, Italy - Aleppo, Syria - Kerala, India - Vienna, Austria - Chicago, IL, USA