In his opening remarks for a gathering of the Eastern Catholic bishops of Europe taking place in Romania this week, Cardinal Erdo said the bishops have the duty to promote the New Evangelization encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI.

The cardinal said that the New Evangelization is a great and urgent task “in which all of us are called to awaken the faith and build Christian communities that are firmly rooted in the Lord and in their missionary zeal.”

He praised the great work being done in Europe by Eastern Catholics and emphasized that the Eastern Churches “are rich in visual aspects and in the beauty of liturgical chant.”

“The popularity of icons in the West is not a passing fad, but a sign of cultural and anthropological development. In this situation, the Eastern Churches have their own response that contributes greatly to the passing on of the faith to mankind today,” the cardinal added.

“The Christian faith, the love of Jesus and his Church, are, as always, essential today for a healthy Europe that is able to overcome its crisis and sustain both cultural and religious diversity,” he said