The members of the Network Committee of the ENHCC gathered between the 30th of September and the 2nd of October 2005 in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey, for their annual meeting. The meeting took place at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who hosted the event.

During the meeting, the members of the Committee discussed the future development of the ENHCC (its economic standing, relations with the EU, international relations with other health care chaplaincy organizations, development of inter-Network relations).

Special attention was devoted to the upcoming ENHCC Consultation that is to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, in May 2006. During their stay in Constantinople, The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I warmly received the members of the Network Committee in a private audience. During the audience, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed this firm support of the endeavours of the ENHCC. Specifically, he accentuated that “in illness there is neither race, nationality, gender or faith” and therefore the care we offer should be inclusive and accepting.

While in Istanbul, the members of the committee were able to experience many aspects of the cultural life of Turkey, many historical monuments and particularly good food and hospitality.

 

Vedat Basaran, the Director the Feriye Restaurant located on the Bosphorus, offered a special dinner in honour of the Committee members.

 

The members of the Committee also visited the Orthodox Monastery of the Life-giving Spring (a center for healing from the 5th Century) [More information on Website of the Ecumenical Patriarchate]and were the sisterhood of the monastery hosted a farewell dinner. While at this famous shrine, the members of the Network Committee all lighted candles in hopes of the meeting of all the ENHCC participants in Lisbon this coming May.