European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy

Coordinator's Report

8th July 2005

Dear Fellow Chaplains,

As you all know between the 20th and the 22nd of June, I was in Brussels were, together with Anne Vandenhoeck, member of the Network Committee, spiritual health care was introduced to members of the EU.

The first was with Dr. Michael Weninger, Policy Advisor Concerning Dialogue with Religion, Churches and Humanism and the EU.
The second was with Dr. Antoios Trakatellis (M.D.), Vice-President of the EU Parliament and member of the Committee of Public Health.
The third was with Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Director of the Office of the Commissioner of Public Health

In general, the meetings were most productive and the response was very positive. We opened many doors of communication and acquired many perspectives. I would suggest that you read the attaches thank you letters I wrote so that you can get a jest of all that was discussed.

All that was discussed during our meetings needs to be reviewed and digested. I have already begun looking at some of these points. The Network Committee will be meeting in Istanbul between the 30th of September and the 2nd of October. There, we will be able to discuss these points even more.

Our encounter with the members of the EU has placed the ENHCC on another level of maturation, giving it new challenges and opportunities. We must all ask ourselves is if we are ready and willing to take them on. In order to respond to these challenges, it is necessary that we form an even more tightly woven Network, increasing interaction amongst ourselves and responding to the different aspects of the Network in a more positive way.

With my warmest regards and with the expectation of seeing you all in May, I remain,

Yours truly,

Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas

Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)

[Document presented to the EU Officials about the Network]

ENHCC

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