site.btaAnniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Order of Malta Observed in Sofia

An international conference dedicated to the Sovereign Order of Malta, in connection with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Order and Bulgaria took place Thursday at St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. The forum was organized by the Embassy of the Order of Malta in Bulgaria and the Sofia University Faculty of History.

In the first historical part reports were presented by Dr. Kiril Kartalov (Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences) and Assoc. Dr. Umberto Castagnino Berlinghieri (University of Parma). The second part was devoted to the activities of the Order of Malta in Bulgaria. 

The Order's cooperation with the Catholic Church in Bulgaria was in the focus of a presentation by the Bishop of the Nikopol Diocese, Strahil Kavalenov, the Bishop-Elect of Saint John XXIII of Sofia, Petko Valovand the parish priest of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish, Fr. Jaroslav Babik OFMCap.

Deputy Foreign Minister Maria Angelieva pointed out that the Order is unique in its nature and follows its mission to provide humanitarian aid.

The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Bulgaria, Ursula Hofter Dzukoli, said that the Order represents one of the most ancient institutions of Western Christian civilization. It maintains diplomatic relations with over 100 countries. It is characterized by neutrality and does not take political positions. It enables humanitarian aid to those in need.

Dr. Umberto Castagnino Berlinghieri noted that the Order of Malta and the Holy See are sovereign entities and Observers in the United Nations General Assembly that want to be neutral and want not to take sides in disputes, not to intervene in armed conflicts. 

The Bishop of the Nikopol Diocese, Strahil Kavalenov, expressed gratitude for the packages for the people in need, which the Order gives for the third consecutive year.

Krasimira Alexandrova, Director of a center for family-type centre for children and youth with disabilities in Dupnitsa, said that their cooperation with the Order of Malta dates back to 2019. A mentoring program for children was developed, thanks to which the children increased their success in school. The mentors also helped raise funds for the children and these were spent for bicycles and sending them on holiday, Alexandrova said.