CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen highlighted the role of the European churches in transforming continent’s shared future, especially amid challenges posed by pluralistic and secular societies faced with religious illiteracy. He was speaking at the 13th Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), one of the biggest CEC Member Churches.
The EKD Synod was held from 6 – 9 November 2022 in Magdeburg.
“Ecumenism is a necessary exercise of giving and taking, listening and talking. Churches of the ecumenical movement may with this exercise have a fundamental, unified message for our national and European decision-makers: the path of giving and taking, listening and talking is a spike in the bulwark against European political uniformity and dogmatism,” said Sørensen.
He went on to say that Christian voice is disputed in political conversations throughout the European continent. “Churches are deliberately marginalised in debates on our shared future.”
“As Christians, we hold it true that churches, along with other faiths, represent a credible and legitimate voice in the sea of voices that make up our pluralistic European society.”
Sørensen shared about the role and legacy of CEC, as well as its strength rooted in its Member Churches to influence policymakers through dialogue within European institutions, supported by Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The CEC General Secretary thanked the Synod for being part of a shared ecumenical conversation in Europe, appreciating a firm commitment from the EKD and CEC.