2007 Archive Press Releases
75. THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF CEC WELCOMES PARTICIPANTS IN TAIZÉ EUROPEAN YOUTH MEETING IN GENEVA - 19 December 2007 FR
The Venerable Colin Williams underlines importance of youth participation in the ecumenical movement...
74. CO-OPERATION WITH MUSLIMS IN EUROPE SHOULD BE INTENSIFIED - 11 December 2007
During its meeting from 6th to 9th December in Berlin/Germany the Committee for Relations with Muslims in Europe, established by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and Conference of European Churches (CEC), underlined the importance of seeking common ground with Muslim partners in Europe and to enter into a sustainable and confidence building dialogue...
73. EVERY PHASE OF LIFE HAS ITS OWN VALUE
Church and Society Paper on “Ageing and the Care for the Elderly” - 29 November 2007 FR DE
The proportion of people in Europe over 65 years old is growing steadily. A generation ago, it was less than 3%. By 2050 it could be 20%, with only half of the population of working age. Such changes bring new perspectives to much older human questions such as “How should we view old age? What is the status of the elderly in our societies? How do we care for their needs?”.
72. CCME - PORTUGUESE SECRETARY OF STATE: CIVIL SOCIETY ESSENTIAL PARTNER IN REFUGEE PROTECTION - 26 November 2007
Some 50 representatives of National NGOs, churches and government from 15 countries as well as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) met in Lisbon from 21stt to 23rrd November for an international workshop to discuss future areas of cooperation in refugee resettlement...
71. CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF CEC: BISHOP STURM CALLS FOR AN ECUMENICAL THEOLOGY FULL OF COURAGE AND HOPE - 19 November 2007
The Central Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met for its annual session from 14-17 November 2007 in Vienna, Austria. The meeting opened on Wednesday 14 November with an ecumenical service in the Evangelical-Lutheran church “Johanniskirche” in Vienna-Liesing. In his sermon, the Lutheran Bishop of Austria, Herwig Sturm, reflected on the recent 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3, Sibiu, Romania, 4-9 September 2007) underlining the need to develop “an ecumenical theology which is full of courage and hope and does not capitulate when confronted with dogmatic barriers”...
70. CALLED TO ONE HOPE IN CHRIST: ASSEMBLY IN LYON 2009 TO MARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CEC - 19 November 2007 FR DE
“Called to one hope in Christ” will be the theme of the 13th Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), to be held in Lyon, France, from 15-21 July 2009. The theme is inspired by a passage from the Letter to the Ephesians (chapter 4), where the apostle Paul underlines the unity of the body of Christ.
69. CEC CENTRAL COMMITTEE CONCERNED ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION OF MIGRANTS AND RE-ENTRY BAN IN EU COUNTRIES - 19 November 2007 FR DE
The Central Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), which met in Vienna from 14-17 November 2007, expressed its concern for the increasing use of administrative detention of migrants pending removal procedures in many European countries, and for the proposed re-entry ban of up to five years following the execution of a removal.
68. CEC CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS: THE ECONOMY SHOULD BE AT THE SERVICE OF PEOPLE - 19 November 2007
FR DE
The Central Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) which met in Vienna from 14-17 November 2007, appealed to the European Union (EU) to ensure that the trade negotiations towards Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific “will not be stumbling blocks but stepping stones and building blocks for a more just and equitable global trading system.”
67. CEC-CCME MERGER: ENLARGING PROPHETIC VOICE ON INCLUSION OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN EUROPE - 16 November 2007
The Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe and the Conference of European Churches agree to complete merger in 2008...
66. CCME - REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT TO AUSTRIA: “TIME IS RIGHT TO START PROGRAMME” - 14 November 2007
Some 40 representatives of National NGOs, churches, national and regional government as well as international organisations met in Vienna 12th and 13th November to discuss future perspectives of Austria as a country receiving refugees through resettlement.
65. CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF CEC MEETS IN VIENNA, 14-17 NOVEMBER - 12 November 2007
The 40-member Central Committee is the CEC governing body between Assemblies. The last CEC Assembly was held in Trondheim, Norway, in 2003, while the next will be in Lyon, France, in July 2009. The meeting in Vienna will define the theme and contents of this Assembly, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of CEC.
64. CCME - CHURCHES WELCOME NEXT STEPS IN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT TO ITALY - 9 November 2007
Some 50 representatives of National NGOs, churches, national and regional government as well as international organisations met in Rome on 8th November to discuss future perspectives of Italy as a country receiving refugees through resettlement.
63. DEATH OF ANDRÉ APPEL, FORMER CEC PRESIDENT: “AN ARDENT DEFENDER OF ECUMENISM” - 6 November 2007
The Rev. Dr. André Appel, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) from 1974-1986, died on 1 November in Strasbourg, France, at 85 years of age.
62. TOM HENEGHAN, REUTERS RELIGION EDITOR, WINS JOHN TEMPLETON EUROPEAN AWARD FOR RELIGION WRITING - 31 October 2007 FR
The Office of Communications of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) is pleased to announce that Tom Heneghan, Paris-based Religion Editor for the news agency Reuters, has been named as the winner of the John Templeton Award for the European Religion Writer of the Year 2006.
61. ELIZABETA KITANOVIC FROM SERBIA JOINS THE CEC CHURCH AND SOCIETY STAFF IN BRUSSELS - 25 October 2007
Ms Elisabeta Kitanovic from Serbia has started her work as Executive Secretary at the Brussels office of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). Her job covers human rights and religious freedom, as well as communications.
60. CARLA MAURER FROM SWITZERLAND NEW STAFF MEMBER OF THE CHURCH AND COMMISSION OF CEC IN STRASBOURG - 25 October 2007
The Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) welcomes Carla Maurer as a new Executive Secretary. Carla Maurer took up her post in the Strasbourg office of the Commission in October 2007.
59. CCME - EUROPEAN UNION ANTI-TRAFFICKING DAY : CHRISTIAN NETWORK CALLS FOR STRONGER COHERENCE OF EU POLICIES - 15 October 2007
Christian organisations active in the fight against trafficking in human beings have today called for greater coherence in EU policies in order to combat trafficking.
58. CCME - COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS: "VICTORY OF GOSPEL OVER SLAVERY" - 8 October 2007
Christian anti-trafficking workshop in Kiev underlines role of churches in former USSR countries. Churches in the countries of the former Soviett Union are emerging as key actors in the fightt against trafficking in human beings...
57. CCME - REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT TO SPAIN: CHURCHES AND NGOS INITIATE DEBATE WHICH WILL “HELP GOVERNMENT TO TAKE POSITIVE DECISION” - 28 September 2007
Some forty representatives of national NGOs,, churches,, national and regional governments as well as EU and international organisations met in Madrid on 27th September to discuss future perspectives of Spain as a country receiving refugees through resettlement...
56. CEC EXPRESSES REJOICING AT ELECTION OF METROPOLITAN DANIEL AS NEW PATRIARCH OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH - 14 September 2006
The Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church elected on 12 September a new Patriarch: 56-year old Metropolitan Daniel Ciobotea of Moldova and Bucovina...
ALL EEA3 PRESS RELEASES IN ALL LANGUAGES (ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN AND ITALIAN CAN BE FOUND AT www.eea3.org
55. EEA3 - ASSEMBLY ISSUES MESSAGE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) reached its climax on September 8 and 9, 2007 in a citywide celebration of “the light of Christ” on Saturday evening, and Sunday morning worship in Sibiu’s churches followed by an act of common witness in the Great Square...
54. EEA3 - POPE BENEDICT UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF THE 3RD EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY
During his official visit to Austria and pilgrimage to Mariazell, Pope Benedict XIV spoke about the important contribution made by the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) to reflections on the future of Europe in an address given to diplomats and representatives of the Austrian state in Vienna on 7 September...
53. EEA3 - RECONCILIATION: THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINES THROUGH THE LIVES OF CHURCHES AND PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND - 8 September 2007 For more than 400 participants of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) in Sibiu (Romania), common prayer for peace all over the world was the starting point of the peace forum, which took place in the afternoon of 7 September...
52. EEA3 - STANDING TOGETHER AND SPEAKING THE TRUTH: INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AT EEA3 - 7 September 2007
How can religions make a contribution to the future of Europe? How can believers practice their faith, stand up for their convictions and still promote meaningful dialogue? These were crucial questions...
51. EEA3 - HAS THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT A FUTURE? - 7 September 2007
Three young participants in EEA3 shared the stage with Orthodox archbishop Anastasios of Albania and Protestant bishop Margot Kässmann of Germany during the EEA3’s Friday press conference. While the theme was justice, questions from the media directed attention to relations among the churches and the future of Christianity in Europe.
50. EEA3 - “TRIBUNES OF THE PEOPLE” ENLARGE EEA3 PARTICIPATION - 7 September 2007
Dr Mary Tanner of the Church of England, co-moderator of Thursday’s plenary at the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3), opened the morning business session by reminding delegates that they may submit written comments during the proceedings. “Write down your questions and observations...
49. EEA3 - AT THE SERVICE OF THE ASSEMBLY: STEWARDS IN SIBIU - 7 September 2007
121 young stewards from 28 European countries help to ensure the smooth running of the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3). According to information received today from the EEA3 secretariat almost half of the stewards, 53, come from different parts of Romania,...
48. EEA3 - LOCAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES PRAY TOGETHER WITH THE EEA3 PARTICIPANTS -6 September 2007
Common prayer is of essential importance for strengthening the ecumenical movement – this idea, underlined in many speeches during the first days of the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) in Sibiu, is widely supported by local Christian communities who are welcoming participants and guests of the Assembly for services and prayers.
47. EEA3 - BISHOP CHARTRES SEEKS COMMON CHRISTIAN CONSCIOUSNESS - 6 September 2007
“This is the mystery revealed in Christ: The more you go beyond yourself to the other, the more you will become your own true self.” In remarks before the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) the Anglican bishop of London, Richard Chartres, suggested that today’s greatest ecumenical challenge “is to build a common Christian consciousness.”
46. EEA3 - EUROPEAN LEADERS HAIL DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION - 6 September 2007
“As Europeans, we must improve our intercultural skills”, said Leonard Orban, a Romanian member of the European Commission, at Thursday’s plenary of the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3)...
45. EEA3 - METROPOLITAN KIRILL: NOW IS THE TIME FOR SELF-EXAMINATION - 5 September 2007
“We are approaching the crisis of ecumenism”, said Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of Moscow Patriarchate at the press conference on September 5 during the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) in Sibiu.
44. EEA3 - BARTHOLOMEW, KASPER, KIRILL AND HUBER MEET THE MEDIA - 5 September 2007
Four leading Christians, speakers at the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) during its first morning session, took questions at press conferences on Wednesday afternoon. His All Holiness Bartholomew, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, appeared prior to departure for an environmental symposium in Greenland. Another news conference featured His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department of external church relations, His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Bishop Wolfgang Huber, chair of the council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD)...
43. EEA3 - LEADERS CALL FOR MORE PROFOUND EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH - 4 September 2007
“Sibiu is a fairly small city, yet it is confronted by all the challenges of modernity”, observed Monsignor Aldo Giordano, general secretary of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE). He was one of three officials of the CCEE and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) who spoke at a Tuesday afternoon press conference at the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) in the historic city of Sibiu, Romania...
42. EEA3 - EEA3 EVENTS CELEBRATE EUROPEAN CULTURE - 4 September 2007
Sibiu, Romania, site of the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) from 4 through 9 September, has been designated together with Luxembourg as the European Cultural Capital for 2007.
41. CEC EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH ON THE EVE OF THE THIRD EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY IN SIBIU - 30 August 2007
The General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Venerable Colin Williams, has sent a letter of solidarity to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is presently the subject of a judicial procedure in Turkey that is questioning the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and particularly the use of the title “Ecumenical Patriarch”.
40. 3rd EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY: THE TOWN OF SIBIU (ROMANIA) WILL BE THE ECUMENICAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE, 4-9 SEPTEMBER - 28 August 2007 FR DE
The Romanian town of Sibiu, at the heart of Transylvania, has been designated European Capital of Culture for the year 2007 (together with Luxembourg). From 4-9 September Sibiu will also be the “capital” of all European Christians, who will gather there for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) on the theme “The light of Christi shines upon all – Hope for renewal and unity in Europe”.
39. EEA3 YOUTH DELEGATES AT PRE-ASSEMBLY MEETING STAND FOR LIVING RENEWAL OF THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT - 31 July 2007
Churches should “stop competing among themselves and start truly living the Gospel. For we do not witness to power dynamics of our churches but to Christ”, said young ecumenists from all over Europe in their statement from a preparatory meeting of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3).
38. “TEOCTIST, A REMARKABLE CHURCH LEADER AND ECUMENIST”: CEC GENERAL SECRETARY ON DEATH OF ROMANIAN PATRIARCH - 31 July 2007
On 30 July 2007 His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist, head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, passed away at the age of 92. On this sad occasion, the Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), issued the following statement...
37. STATEMENT FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF CEC - 11 July 2007
The following is a statement from the General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), The Venerable Colin Williams, in response to the statement of the Roman Catholic Church’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith:...
36. ORTHODOX CHURCHES OFFER REFLECTIONS ON THE WAY TO SIBIU - 2 July 2007
Nearly all the Orthodox Churches which are members of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), gathered in the island of Rhodes, Greece, from 25 to 28 June 2007, within the framework of preparations for the EEA3 in Sibiu (4-9 September 2007). Upon the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew the meeting was graciously hosted by Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes...
35. CCME - REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT TO NEW EU MEMBER STATES: IMPROVED INTEGRATION PROSPECTS ESSENTIAL FOR LASTING SUCCESS - 25 June 2007
Representatives of Churches, NGOs, governments and UNHCR from the new EU member states in Central and South East Europe met for a seminar in Prague to discuss refugee resettlement to the region.
34. INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE AND THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN EUROPE: CHURCH AND SOCIETY COMMISSION MET IN ARMENIA - 20 June 2007
“The Council of Europe can only achieve its aims together with the churches and religious communities, not without them and certainly not against them,” said Ulrich Bunjes from the Council of Europe’s Coordination Office for Intercultural Dialogue..."
33. ENSURING SOCIAL RIGHTS IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE EU’S FUTURE: CHURCHES AND DIACONAL ORGANISATIONS URGE EU MEMBER STATES TO MAINTAIN THE SOCIAL DIMENSION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL TREATY - 19 June 2007
European Churches and diaconal organisations ask the Heads of State or Government to maintain the social dimension of the Constitutional Treaty when they meet on 21-22 June in Brussels to take key decisions on the future of the Constitutional Treaty.
32. CHURCH AND SOCIETY COMMISSION OF CEC CONCERNED ABOUT ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE EAST - 18 June 2007
The Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC ), meeting in Armenia from 15-19 June 2007, addressed the following statement to participants in the conference “Churches together for Peace with Justice in the Middle East” in Amman, Jordan, 17-21 June:...
31. CHURCH AND SOCIETY COMMISSION OF CEC MEETS IN ARMENIA - 13 June 2007
“Churches in Europe and Intercultural Dialogue” will be the main theme of the annual plenary meeting of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches, which will be held in Armenia from 15-19 June 2007.
30. RELIGIOUS LEADERS SAY THAT MILLENIUM GOALS ARE ACHIEVABLE - 7 June 2007
Religious leaders “remain alarmed about the slow and uneven progress made towards achieving the Millennium Developing Goals (MDGs)”; and yet “the Millennium Development Goals are achievable”.
29. CEC ADDRESSES GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL: THE EU MUST ASSUME ITS RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALISATION - 6 June 2007
In a letter to the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) urged the European Union (EU) to fulfil “its responsibility in the globalisation process, by taking a pioneering role in working with all its power, within the context of the United Nations, for concrete goals and deadlines for combating poverty and climate change for all G8 countries.”
28. DIALOGUE BETWEEN ORTHODOX AND PROTESTANTS IS FIRST PRIORITY FOR CHURCHES IN DIALOGUE COMMISSION OF CEC - 25 May 2007
Facilitating the continuation and the reception of theological dialogues between the Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the Reformation is one of most important priorities for the Churches in Dialogue Commission, the theological commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC).
27. CHURCH LEADERS MEET WITH PRESIDENTS OF EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS - 15 May 2007
"To promote human dignity and human rights as well as tolerance must be key in the European integration process. This was the comment of Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Conference of European Churches in his intervention at a meeting of religious leaders with the Presidents of the three Institutions of the European Union, President Barroso (European Commission), Chancellor Merkel (President of the European Council) and President Pöttering (European Parliament). The high-level meeting on 15 May 2007 was the third of its kind, organised upon the initiative of the President of the European Commission.
26. CCME - REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT: CHURCHES PROVIDE FORUM FOR EXCHANGE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN GERMANY - 15 May 2007
An expert meeting on refugee resettlement held in Berlin on 14 May 2007 brought together some 35 participants from governmental institutions and civil society organisations in Germany. The meeting was organised by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe with the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD).
25. CEC-CCEE COMMITTEE FOR RELATIONS WITH MUSLIMS IN EUROPE LOOKS AT INTERFAITH DIALOGUE OPPORTUNITIES AT SIBIU ASSEMBLY - 7 May 2007
The Joint Committee for Relations with Muslims in Europe of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) met from 3-6 May 2007 at St. Philip’s Centre in Leicester, UK, a Christian centre for study and engagement in a multi-faith society...
24. CCME - CHURCHES ENCOURAGE EU COMMISSION TO RATIFY PAN EUROPEAN CONVENTION AGAINST TRAFFICKING - 4 May 2007
The Churches´ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) in a letter to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday encouraged the European Commission to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The letter, which was co-signed by CCME and six other international networks active in the fight against trafficking in human beings, was sent on the 2nd anniversary of the adoption of the Convention.
23. CCME - REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT INEVITABLY PART OF FUTURE BELGIAN REFUGEE POLICY - 30 April 2007
While Belgium does not currently resettle refugees from third countries, it is only a matter of time until it will start to do so. This was the conclusion of a one-day conference on refugee resettlement organised by the Churches´ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the Flemish Refugee Council in Brussels on 27th April...
22. BARTHOLOMEW I, HUBER, KYRILL AND TEOCTIST AMONG CHURCH LEADERS TO ADDRESS EEA3 IN SIBIU - 26 April 2007
The Presidium of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met in Cartigny/Geneva, Switzerland, from 23-25 April 2007...
21. CEC PRESIDIUM CONDEMNS MALATYA MURDERS AND FOSTERS A NEW ATTITUDE TOWARDS RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN TURKEY - 20 April 2007 FR DE
The Presidium of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) condemned the recent murder of three Christians in Malatya, Turkey, urged the Turkish Government "to adopt a new attitude towards religious minorities", and urged Muslims, Christians and all believers in Europe "to reject the use of religion for political exploitation, and to build together bridges of peace and dialogue among all peoples and cultures"...
20. CEC PRESIDIUM MEETS IN GENEVA AND LOOKS FORWARD TO SIBIU - 18 April 2007 The Presidium of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) will meet in Cartigny Geneva, at the Centre de Rencontres (meeting centre) of the Protestant Church of Geneva, from 23-25 April 2007. The 10-member Presidium serves as the executive of the 40-member Central Committee of CEC.
19. FINNISH RESEARCHER SECONDED TO CEC TO WORK ON ORTHODOX-PROTESTANT DIALOGUE - 16 April 2007
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has seconded a researcher to the Conference of European Churches (CEC) to work on the evolution of the dialogues between the Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the Reformation. Dr Kaisamari Hintikka will work as Project Secretary for the Churches in Dialogue Commission of CEC...
18. CHURCHES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HIGH LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE EU - 12 April 2007
European churches and church related organisations respond to EU’s Green Paper on 'Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century'. A Contribution of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CSC of CEC) in cooperation with the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME)and the European Contact Group (ECG) Contribution
17. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROME TREATY: EU: PROUD OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS – BIG HOPES FOR THE FUTURE - 23 March 2007
When the Heads of State and Government of the EU member states come together on 24-25 March 2007, for the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the Rome Treaty, many churches around Europe will accompany their deliberations with prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, with celebrations and declarations.
16. CHURCHES STAY COMMITTED TO HUMAN RIGHTS - 23 March 2007
From 20 to 21 March delegations of experts from the Russian Orthodox Church and from the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met in Moscow to discuss about human rights.
15. CCME - CHURCHES’ ASSISTANCE VITAL FOR REFUGEES – EXCHANGE WITH EU BEST PRACTICE MODELS IMPORTANT - 23 March 2007
During a visit to the churches’ refugee programmes in Slovakia, the General Secretary of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe commended the churches in Slovakia for the support rendered to asylum seekers and refugees.
14. EUROPEAN CHURCHES AND DIACONAL ORGANISATIONS PROPOSE A “PLAN D” TO COMBAT POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION - 7 March 2007
On the eve of the Spring European Council meeting in Brussels, 7-9 March 2007, European churches and diaconal organisations addressed the German President of the Council, Angela Merkel, on the lack of results following the EU Member States’ commitment to combat poverty and social exclusion...
13. A LETTER FROM WITTENBERG TO THE CHRISTIANS OF EUROPE TO JOIN IN A "PILGRIMAGE OF LIGHT" - 19 February 2007 FR DE
"As we begin Lent together in the Churches of East and West we invite you all to a pilgrimage of light", states the "Letter to the Christians of Europe" released at the end of the ecumenical encounter in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany, 15-18 February 2007...
12. CHURCHES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE STEWARDSHIP OF EUROPE - 16 February 2007
Christians are called to collective action for the common good, said Dr Joan Patricia Back of the Focolare movement, describing a “Europe of hearts” that “may be a yeast that leavens fraternity”. The “dialogue of fraternity among Christians is built upon love”, she continued. This love builds communities and inspires in them an openness toward all people, “building bridges to other continents and globalising fraternity.”
11. THE CONTRIBUTION OF PROTESTANTISM AND CATHOLICISM TO ECUMENISM IN EUROPE - 16 February 2007
“Ecumenism needs new impetus. Many people in our country wish to see greater cooperation and mutual recognition between the various Christian churches”, said the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Horst Köhler, welcoming the participants at the ecumenical encounter in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg on the evening of 16 February. The encounter is one of the stages in the process of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3).
10. SECULARISATION: A CHANCE TO CONVERT AND REDISCOVER THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY - 16 February 2007
“Secularisation as a challenge for Europe” was the theme of the first thematic session of the European ecumenical encounter yesterday evening in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany. One hundred and fifty delegates from all over Europe are gathered here upon invitation of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), for the third stage of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3).
9. EUROPEAN CHRISTIANS GATHER IN LUTHER’S CITY TO REDISCOVER THE LIGHT OF CHRIST FOR EUROPE TODAY - 15 February 2007
“Without God’s love and mercy we cannot contribute much, as Christians and churches, to the building of Europe”, said Protestant Bishop Axel Noack preaching today at the opening service of the ecumenical encounter in the Stadtkirche of Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany.
8. ON THE WAY TO THE THIRD EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY - The third stage of the European “pilgrimage” will take place in the city of Luther - 12 February 2007 FR DE
One hundred and fifty delegates from churches, Bishops’ conferences, ecumenical organisations, communities and movements will meet from 15-18 February 2007 in the city of Luther, Lutherstadt-Wittenberg (Germany), for the third stage of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3). The EEA3 is being organised by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) on the theme The light of Christ shines upon all – Hope for renewal and unity in Europe.
7. EUROPEAN CHURCHES AND DIACONAL ORGANISATIONS CALL ON THE EUROPEAN UNION TO PROTECT THE SPECIFICITIES OF HEALTH SERVICES - 2 February 2007
Eurodiaconia and the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) express their concern that the expansion of cross-border services may lead to a “marketisation” of these services to the detriment of their special characteristics, the public or “general” interest they serve and the principle of solidarity by which they are governed.
6. TEMPLETON AWARD FOR RELIGIOUS WRITING: Entries accepted through March 2007 - 30 January 2007 FR DE
In conjunction with the John Templeton Foundation (www.templeton.org), the Office of Communications of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) invites journalists to submit entries for the 2006 European prize for religious writing in the secular press.
5. COMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER IN MISSION: A LETTER FROM BUDAPEST TO THE CHURCHES IN EUROPE - 29 January 2007
Challenged “to rethink our theologies of mission in the light of new global realities, drawing on our different Christian traditions and the new perspectives coming from inside and outside Europe… we recommit ourselves to working together in mission, seeing the many issues that face us not as threats but as opportunities to see the glory of God displayed”.
4. EUROPEAN MISSION CONSULTATION OPENS IN BUDAPEST - 24 January 2007
“Come Holy Spirit; heal and reconcile in Europe… Illuminate the whole of humankind with the light of Christ” is the theme of the Consultation, convened by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) through its Mission Research Office, in co-operation with the World Council of Churches...
3. THE EUROPEAN UNION NEEDS COMMON VALUES - 17 January 2007 - FR DE
Churches meet German EU presidency Conversation with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
2. DEEPENING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MIDDLE EAST AND EUROPEAN CHURCHES: CEC DELEGATION VISITS BEIRUT - 15 January 2007
A delegation from the Conference of European Churches (CEC) visited Beirut, Lebanon, from 9-12 January and met with representatives of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) as well as with Christian and Muslim leaders from the region...
1. THE FILM “GRBAVICA” BY THE BOSNIAN FILM DIRECTOR JASMILA ŽBANIC (AUSTRIA/BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA/GERMANY/CROATIA 2006) WINS THE 10TH EUROPEAN JOHN TEMPLETON FILM AWARD 2006 - 5 January 2007 FR DE
The film was chosen by a jury appointed by INTERFILM, the International Interchurch Film Organisation, from a shortlist of six films which had all been recognised by ecumenical juries during the year. The European John Templeton Film Prize is given in the name of the prestigious John Templeton Foundation by INTERFILM, and the Geneva-based Conference of European Churches (CEC). The prize carries an award of € 10,000 and a certificate of recognition.
