Between 31 May and 3 June 2016, a delegation on behalf of the International Congress of Inter-confessional Religious (CIR), consisting of seven monks and nuns from several countries from Western and Central Europe (England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Italy) came to visit the Archdiocese of Timisoara with the blessing of  the Archbishop John, the Metropolitan of Banat. The delegation was accompanied throughout the visit, by monks and nuns from the Archdiocese of Timișoara.

During the four days, several churches and monasteries in the diocese were visited, including: the Metropolitan Cathedral, the monasteries of Timișeni Șag, Luncanii de Sus, Româneşti, Partoș, church of Fabric West Timișoara parish and the church of Remetea Mare parish. Throughout the visit of the foreign delegation in the Archdiocese of Timișoara, meetings with monks and nuns, and priests from parishes were held.

At Partoș Monastery our guests worshipped the tomb of Saint Joseph the New, they visited both churches, the Social Centre and they had the great joy to meet the Primate of the Archdiocese of Timisoara, the Metropolitan John of Banat, who talked about the important treasure of the Orthodox monastic tradition and delighted their hearts with many great spiritual words.

The evening ended with dinner offered in the Social Centre of Christiana room.

The Congress is held once every two years.