CROCEU in Dialogue with Eurodiaconia on Europe’s Social Challenges

The Committee of Representatives of the Orthodox Churches to the European Union (CROCEU) met on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, at the AMBIORIX Orthodox Centre in Brussels.

A central moment of the meeting was the exchange with Mrs Heather Roy, Secretary General of Eurodiaconia, one of the leading European networks of Christian organisations active in the social field.

Faith Expressed through Service to Others

In her presentation, Heather Roy introduced the work of Eurodiaconia, a network founded in 1995 which today brings together organisations from 34 European countries, including several Orthodox Churches and organisations.

Through its members, Eurodiaconia is connected to approximately 30,000 social service units and projects across Europe, ranging from local initiatives to broad national and European programmes.

Mrs Roy emphasised that Christian social engagement is not aimed at proselytism, but at expressing faith through concrete responsibility towards others. Eurodiaconia’s work develops along three main lines: improving the quality of social services at grassroots level, bringing field experience into dialogue with European policy-makers, and reflecting on the way in which the social mission of the Churches is evolving in a rapidly changing European society.

Among the issues discussed were poverty and social exclusion, Roma inclusion, migration, access to employment, the situation in Ukraine and the future of European funding for social policies.

Particular attention was also given to the role of Artificial Intelligence in social and healthcare services. Mrs Roy noted that new technologies can provide valuable support, but should never replace the human relationship at the heart of care. Technology may assist the work of carers, she stressed, but it cannot become a substitute for genuine human presence and responsibility.

The discussion also offered an opportunity to explore possible areas of cooperation between CROCEU and Eurodiaconia, especially in fields where the pastoral and social experience of the Orthodox Churches can contribute meaningfully to the European debate.

Current and Upcoming CROCEU Activities

During the remainder of the meeting, CROCEU members reviewed a number of current and forthcoming activities, including upcoming exchanges with the European Institutions, as well as a number of other initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Orthodox Churches and their contribution to European public life.

The next CROCEU meeting is expected to take place in Brussels in January 2027.