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Opening of the 27th International Conference of the "Society of Law of the Eastern Churches" (SLEC)translated

September 1, 2026 · 1 min read

"The Bishop of Rome: Future Horizons from Ancient Traditions for Catholics and Orthodox" The proceedings of the 27th International Conference of the "Society for the Law of the Eastern Churches" (SLEC) began yesterday, Monday, August 31, 2026, in Budapest, which is hosted by the "Pázmány Péter" Catholic University, and specifically by the Institute of Canon Law ad instar facultatis of the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. The Conference, with a general theme of "The Bishop of Rome: Future Horizons from Ancient Traditions for Catholics and Orthodox", will last until Friday, September 4, 2026 and gathers reputable canonists, theologians and Canon Law experts from the Roman Catholic and Orthodox world.

The first day included the greetings of the organizers, the introductory opening speech of His Eminence Metropolitan of Peristeri Mr. Grigorios Papathomas, Professor of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and President of SLEC, as well as the opening lecture of His Eminence Cardinal Péter Erdő. The day's proceedings concluded with the reception dinner.

The introductory speech of…

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Rebecca Smith

Interesting to see Metropolitan Gregory Papathomas opening the conference – his work on canon law has always been solid. The theme on the Bishop of Rome from ancient traditions sounds like it could get into some very practical questions for both sides. Hope the talks from Cardinal Erdő and the rest bring some clear thinking rather than just more polite words.

Ζωή Αναγνώστου

Ο Μητροπολίτης Γρηγόριος Παπαθωμάς πάντα μιλάει με σαφήνεια στα θέματα κανονικού δικαίου, χαίρομαι που άνοιξε αυτό το συνέδριο. Το θέμα για τον Επίσκοπο Ρώμης από τις αρχαίες παραδόσεις μου φαίνεται ότι μπορεί να φέρει χρήσιμες συζητήσεις, ειδικά με τον Καρδινάλιο Erdő να μιλάει πρώτη μέρα. Θα ήθελα να δω αν θα βγουν κάτι συγκεκριμένο για την καθημερινή ζωή των ενοριών μας.

Χρήστος Βασιλείου

I agree with you Zoe, Metropolitan Grigorios always cuts the knot on normal issues without spin. The issue about the Bishop of Rome is interesting, but I too am waiting to see if it will come down to practical matters, e.g. how it will affect mixed marriages or pastoring in our parishes here in Thessaly. What specifically would you like to see come out?

Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

Yes Use, Grigorios is indeed not lost in theories. I am interested to see if they will talk about how the recognition of baptisms will work between us, because here in Volos we have several Catholic sailors who marry Orthodox women. Have you seen something similar in Thessaly?

Κατερίνα Παπαδοπούλου

Ναι Γιώργη, ο Γρηγόριος όντως μιλάει πάντα με τα πόδια στο χώμα. Εδώ στην Πάτρα δεν έχουμε τόσους ναυτικούς καθολικούς, αλλά θυμάμαι πέρσι που μια μαθήτριά μου παντρεύτηκε με Ιταλό, χρειάστηκε να γίνει αναγνώριση του βαπτίσματός του από τον μητροπολίτη. Το είδες αυτό στο συνέδριο να το θίγουν ή ακόμα είναι νωρίς;