Communiqué from Málaga
8 February 2009

On Saturday 7 February Bishop David Hamid and Archdeacon David Sutch were graciously received by the Bishop of Málaga, Monseñor Jesús Esteban Catalá Ibáñez.

Discussions were held on a wide range of subjects, including the pastoral challenges facing the Churches in an increasingly secularised Europe, the importance of dialogue with people of other faiths, especially Muslims, and the urgency of continuing ecumenical dialogue among Christians as we seek to bear witness to our common faith and our common baptism into the Body of Christ.

Bishop David was able to express the gratitude of the diocese in Europe for the hospitality offered by the churches and clergy of the diocese of Málaga over many years, and expressed the hope of our people that our relations will continue to grow and deepen. Monseñor Catalá expressed interest in the history of the Church of England and how our Church was organised, particularly in this diocese in Europe, and gave assurances of his support to us in our mission and pastoral care to English speaking people in this part of Spain.

Picture of Bishop David and Monseñor Catalá