site.btaVice President Popova Opens Rome Conference Dedicated to Bulgarian Catholics

Vice President Popova Opens
Rome Conference Dedicated to
Bulgarian Catholics


Rome, November 11 (BTA) - Vice President Margarita Popova opened
here a conference on the subject of "Bulgarian Catholics - a
centennial cultural and historical bridge in Europe", the
presidential Press Secretariat said Tuesday. The forum has been
organized by the Bulgarian embassy at the Holy See and is being
held under the auspices of the Bulgarian Vice President and the
Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences.

The conference was occasioned by the 340th anniversary of the
death of Bulgarian Catholics Peter Parchevich, Peter Bogdan and
Filip Stanislavov, as well as by the 20th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the
Sovereign Order of Malta.

"Bulgaria's cultural and historical development is closely
linked to Italy, Rome and the Holy See even from the time
Bulgaria converted to Christianity," Popova said in her address
to the participants. She recalled that Cyril and Methodius, as
well as their disciples, whose work was definitive for the
development of Bulgarian culture and the consolidation of the
Bulgarian state, received the blessing and support of their
mission by the Holy See in Rome.

"The work of the holy brothers is a powerful example how Eastern
and Western Christianity can unite around fundamental spiritual
values they share," Popova said.

The Bulgarian Vice President also dwelt on the significant role
of Catholic archbishops, bishops and spiritual leaders of the
Bulgarian Catholic community who helped prepare the first major
Bulgarian uprising in Chiprovtsi in the 17th century.

Fr. Bernard Ardura, President of the Pontifical Committee of
Historical Sciences, supported the position of the Bulgarian
Vice President that historical research and knowledge should
enjoy special attention.

Participants in the conference include scientists from the
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The event is also attended by
diplomats and representatives of the Bulgarian community in
Rome./PK/BR





/СН/