Bishops from Cuba and the Dominican Republic met in Santo Domingo this week in order to exchange ideas on pastoral ministries and discuss ways for working together more closely.

According to the Fides news agency, the meeting between the bishops highlighted the more than 500 years of history and faith shared between their two countries.

The bishops expressed their concern over the pastoral care given to Cubans who emigrate to the Dominican Republic and to students from the Dominican Republic receiving education in Cuba.

They also discussed the work of missionaries in both countries and the idea of collaborating in the formation of seminarians and other pastoral leaders, as well as strategies for giving greater priority to ecumenical endeavors.