RUŽOMBEROK/RIGA (November 3, 2010) - To support development of Riga Higher Institute of Religious Sciences (RHIRS) and the Seminary in Riga was the objective of the working visit of teachers and scientists from the Catholic University in Ružomberok (CU) - Vice-Rector for Formation and Mobilities CU doc. Róbert Lapko and Prof. Anton Tyrol from the Faculty of Theology CU - to Latvia. The visit was carried out since 27th October at the invitation of the Archbishop of Riga J. E. Zbignev Stankevič, a former director of RHIRS and spiritual director of the local Seminary. Doc. Lapko and prof. Tyrol lectured on biblical exegesis theology to seminarians and laity.

„It is a service of our university to friendly institutions in Riga. They approached us with this request, because in the Seminary they currently lack experts on biblical science. We are glad that after 20 years Slovakia can help the others”, explained doc. Lapko. The institutions in Riga will host the visiting teachers twice a month.

From 20th to 22nd August 2010, the rector of CU, Prof. Tadeusz Zasępa discussed the priorities for closer cooperation between CU and RHIRS with the Archbishop Zbigniev Stankevič. During his visit in October, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology CU Prof. Anton Konečný met the Archbishop Zbigniev Stankevič in Riga and agreed on further systematic cooperation. Thanks to this, other teachers - doc. Frančišek Trstenský and Dr. Juraj Feník - will continue in the teaching in Riga. The Seminary in Riga and RHIRS are affiliated to the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

Translation by Adriána Pavlinská