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European Bulletin
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
CHURCH HOUSE LONDON
EUROPEAN BULLETIN – No 61
October 2009
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Meissen Commission meeting
3. Sister Reformations Symposium in Berlin
4. 2009: Calvin and Barmen Anniversaries
5. News from Gary Wilton
6. New WCC General Secretary
7. CPCE
8. News from CEC
9. Network of Diocesan European Links Officers
10. Wyndham Place Charlemagne Trust
11. “Christians and the Euro” booklet by Ashley Beck
12.And finally …
1. INTRODUCTION
Dear Bulletin Readers
This bulletin has news from the Meissen Commission, Gary Wilton, CEC and CPCE and some notices of forthcoming events. Congratulations are offered to the new General Secretary of the WCC. The Calvin and Barmen anniversaries are remembered. There is also a special notice for the Network of Diocesan European Links Officers.
With all good wishes from the CCU,
Leslie Nathaniel Francis Bassett
CCU European Secretary and Assistant Secretary CCU
Archbishop of Canterbury’s francis.bassett@c-of-e.org.uk
Deputy Secretary for
Ecumenical Affairs
Leslie.nathaniel@c-of-e.org.uk
The Bulletin is sent out on a mailing list: Please advise us if your email address changes, or if you do not wish to receive the Bulletin. CCU is not responsible for the content of external web sites mentioned in this Bulletin.
2. MEISSEN COMMISSION
The 19th Joint Meeting of the Meissen Commission was held at Whalley Abbey, England, from 17th to 21st September 2009. At this meeting the Commission said goodbye to the Bishop of Schaumburg-Lippe, Jürgen Johannesdotter, the EKD Co-Chair, who is to retire shortly. The C of E Co-Chair, the Bishop of Croydon, Nicholas Baines thanked Bishop Johannesdotter for his generous chairmanship of the Commission.
His successor is the Bishop of Braunschweig, Dr. Friedrich Weber, who was also present at the meeting. The Braunschweig Landeskirche and the Diocese of Blackburn have successfully worked on partnership links, thus strengthening and giving visibility to relationships made possible by the Meissen Agreement. Bishop Weber is an Ecumenical Canon of Blackburn Cathedral. The Commission visited and took part in Sunday worship at Trawden and Colne where Woldemar Flake, a Lutheran pastor in the Church of Braunschweig, has been serving for the last three years. He and his family are shortly to return to Braunschweig, but it is hoped a successor can be appointed in due course.
The Meissen Commission also took stock of the fruits of its work. The numerous and diverse links between the EKD churches and the C of E have grown enormously. In addition to visits of pastors to the C of E there are also a total of around 44 partnership links. One of the tasks of the next years will be to further strengthen the ongoing links so that more exchange from the C of E to the EKD churches is possible.
The Commission discussed a number of themes including: how the C of E is addressing the challenges and opportunities of working with Muslims and in Muslim areas (which involved a visit to the unique project at Blackburn Cathedral); the 100th anniversary in 2010 of the first World Missionary Conference at Edinburgh; a more focussed working out of the Meissen Commission’s agenda and work-pattern in looking ahead to the next quinquennium.
3. SISTER REFORMATIONS SYMPOSIUM IN BERLIN
In order to mark the 450th anniversary of the Elizabethan settlement of religion in 1559 a symposium on the theme of Sister Reformations was organised by the theological faculty of the Humboldt University, Berlin. The symposium took place in Berlin on September 23-26 2009 and was attended by scholars from Germany, England, Ireland and the United States.
The purpose of the symposium was to explore the relationship between the Reformation in the Holy Roman Empire and the Reformation in England. Aspects of this subject that were considered included the ways in which knowledge of, and influence from, the Reformation in Europe reached England, the theological and liturgical connections between the two Reformations, the political dimension to the relationship between the two Reformations and how the two Reformations were eventually consolidated by the Peace of Augsburg and the Elizabethan settlement respectively.
The symposium began with a public lecture from Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch on ‘16th Century English Protestantism and the Continent’ and concluded with a public lecture by Professor Christoph Schwöbel on ‘German Protestantism and the Church of England today.’ Dr Martin Davie, CCU Theological Secretary, contributed a paper titled “The Augsburg Confession and the Thirty – nine Articles”. English-German Church service in conjunction with the symposium was held in Berlin Cathedral on Sunday 27 September which the Bishop of Croydon, the Rt. Revd Nick Baines, attended on behalf of the Church of England.
It is hoped that the symposium will mark the beginning of regular scholarly exchanges on the subjects which it explored. Also it is hoped that in due course the Symposium papers will be published.
4. 2009: CALVIN AND BARMEN ANNIVERSARIES
The 500th Anniversary has prompted the EKD together with the Alliance of Reformed Churches to remember the Calvin legacy. A brochure for the jointly organised programme (“Calvin. Das Magazin zum Calvin Jahr 2009”) was well received and reprinted several times. The German Historical Museum produced an exhibition on Calvinism. On the birth date itself. 10th July, there was a festive ceremony in the Reformed Friedrichstadt Church on the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin. Among the participants were Bishop Wolfgang Huber (Chair of the EKD), Frank Walter Steinmeier (Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany with a Reformed background) and Dr Peter Bukowski (Moderator of the Alliance of the Reformed Churches).
2009 also saw (on 31st May) the 75th Anniversary of the Barmen Theological Declaration. During its meeting in Oslo in January 2009, the Council of the CPCE approved a statement on the “Importance of the Barmen Theological Declaration” which emphasised the outstanding and prevailing relevance of a document so significant for church history.
5. NEWS FROM GARY WILTON, THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
REPRESENTATIVE TO THE EU INSTITUTIONS
Following on from the High Level Dialogue event between the Churches, Religions and the Institutions last May, Canon Wilton has continued to develop good relations with the Brussels-based Muslim representatives. He has since commissioned a colleague to undertake an analysis of the relationship between the Charta Oecumenica of 2001 and the Muslim European Charter of 2008. The results of this study will be made available in due course.
On 8th September Canon Wilton attended a joint meeting between the staffs of COMECE and CEC. This was a good-humoured event which bodes well for even closer working together in the future. A key agenda item was the need to prepare a shared position paper on the future shape of dialogue with the EU Institutions. Should the Lisbon Treaty come into effect, dialogue between the Churches and the Institutions will have a legal basis. Dr Charles Reed and Canon Wilton will monitor and contribute to the position paper as it develops.
On September 23rd the Bishop of Exeter will visit Brussels in his new role as the Chair of the Churches’ Legislation Advisory Service. As well as meeting various EU and UK officials he will also meet various legal colleagues from COMECE and from EKD/CEC. Given his role as a Diocesan Bishop he will also the Office of the South West of England Office - to strengthen the links between the Churches of the South West and the representation of the region in Brussels.
For more information contact Gary Wilton at gary.wilton@holytrinity.be
6. NEW GENERAL SECRETARY OF WCC
CCU has congratulated Dr Olav Fykse Tveit on his appointment as General Secretary of the WCC. Some present and past members of CCU have had the pleasure of working alongside him in Porvoo matters.
Dr Tveit’s speech to the WCC Central Committee can be read at:
(N.B. access to the speech might be simpler via the search engine in the WCC website or by googling “New WCC General Secretary”)
See also messages to Dr Tveit from CPCE (section 5 below) and CEC (section 6 below).
7. CPCE
When Thomas Wipf was in Church House recently on an informal visit your Bulletin Editors sent their greetings to the CPCE who have provided many good stories and leads.
Here are some highlights from recent CPCE bulletins:
The CPCE congratulates the new WCC General Secretary
The General Secretary of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), Bishop Dr Michael Bünker, congratulates the new General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Pastor Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit (Oslo), on his election in August by the Central Committee of the world-wide church council. From 1994 to 2001 Olav Fykse Tveit was a member of the CPCE Executive Committee (now Council), from 2001 to 2006 he served as deputy member.
The CPCE congratulates the rep-elected President of the European Commission
CPCE President Thomas Wipf wrote a letter of congratulation to the re-elected European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso. He valued his efforts towards dialogue with the churches and religious communities.
CPCE Council meets in Geneva
The CPCE met in Geneva in early October to take stock half way between the Budapest Assembly of 2006 and the Florence Assembly scheduled for 2012.
Among the agenda items was consideration of a draft statement on euthanasia from the Specialist Group on Ethics.
Ratification of Lisbon Treaty
The CPCE Council welcomes the adoption of the EU Treaty by the citizens of Ireland adding that the European integration process must be rooted more strongly in the citizens of the member states.
8. NEWS FROM CEC:
CONGRATULATIONS TO OLAV FYKSE TVEIT
The Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary, conveyed the congratulations of CEC to Dr Tveit immediately upon on his election: “I was delighted to hear of the election of the Rev. Olaf Fyske Tveit. In his support and participation in the life of CEC in the last years, as well as through his work on behalf of the Church of Norway, the General Secretary elect has demonstrated his deep commitment to the ecumenical journey. With the whole of CEC, I look forward to working with the new General Secretary and with the WCC in the coming years and pray that he will know rich blessing as he prepares for the new role to which God has called him”.
In a letter sent to reinforce his congratulations, Williams added: “I am convinced that the gifts and skills and vision which you will bring to your new post will serve WCC, its member churches and its staff well as we go forward into a rapidly changing ecumenical situation. As you know CEC, in common with all other regional ecumenical organizations, is engaged in a process of reflecting with WCC on our respective roles within the WCC regions. I look forward to engaging with you on this issue especially so that together CEC and WCC can respond effectively to the longstanding call for a more coherent ecumenical movement”.
Since 2002 Rev. Fykse Tveit has served as the General Secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations. In his position he has been involved in several events of the European churches, including the two last CEC Assemblies in Trondheim, Norway (2003) and Lyon, France (2009).
EUROPEAN CHURCHES MEET THE SWEDISH EU PRESIDENCY
Following the now well-established tradition of dialogue between the churches and the rotating EU Council Presidencies, the CEC Church and Society Commission joined its RC sister commission (COMECE) and Swedish churches to meet the Swedish EU – Presidency in Stockholm at the end of September. The delegation was received by Minister for European Union Affairs, Ms Cecilia Malmström. The church representatives encouraged the EU in its role at the forthcoming Copenhagen summit for a worldwide agreement on climate change. They also referred to current plans to separate justice and human rights but retain migration and security in the remit of one EU Commissioner. There needed to be, the delegation emphasized, a distinction between the question of migration and that of security issues. Migrants should have their dignity respected and not be considered as a threat to the security of the EU. In view of the forthcoming High Level Ministerial Conference “Towards Global EU Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings” the churches urged the EU to intensify its fight against any form of human trafficking and its efforts to protect victims of trafficking.
9. NETWORK OF DIOCESAN EUROPEAN LINKS OFFICERS
The Network has been active since the 1990s and among other things sponsored a succession of fine one day conferences. During the summer Convenor Stuart Thomas sent a valedictory message to the Network. Are there links officers ready to take the baton and follow Stuart’s fine work for the Network? Your Bulletin Editors look forward to hearing from Network members.
10. WYNDHAM PLACE CHARLEMAGNE TRUST:
“GLOBAL NEIGHBOURHOOD” SEMINAR
LED BY LORD PETER ARCHER
The Wyndham Place Charlemagne Trust continues to explore the issue of Humanitarian Intervention and the Responsibility to Protect with a seminar at King’s College, London on Tuesday 27 October led by Lord Peter Archer of Sandwell on the subject of “The Global Neighbourhood”.
Email wpctrust@googlemail.com for details about reserving tickets.
11. “CHRISTIANS AND THE EURO” BOOKLEY BY ASHLEY BECK
A copy of Ashley Beck’s highly topical booklet “Christians and the Euro” has arrived at Bulletin HQ courtesy of Faith in Europe.
The booklet clearly sets out the history and the meaning of the euro leading on to an examination of Christian teachings on monetary stability. Ashley vigorously argues a distinctive Christian case for the euro, drawing on theology and history, particularly the tradition of social teaching in the Roman Catholic Church, but also Protestant statements.
Copies are £2 each (plus p. & p.) and can be ordered from Philip Walters, Secretary of Faith in Europe email philip.max.walters@gmail.com
12. AND FINALLY … CONFERENCE IN MEMORY OF METROPOLITAN ANTHONY
Finally bulletin readers might be interested in a conference entitled “Encounter with God” in memory of Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh on Saturday November 14 to be held in the Church hall at the Serbian Orthodox Church of St Sava, 89-91 Lancaster Road London W11 1QQ. Speakers include Canon Hugh Wybrew, Costa Carras, Canon David Allchin, Professor Veronique Lossky and Father John Lee. If anyone would like to receive further details including booking form contact mafoundationconf@live.com.
Material edited and distributed by the Council for Christian Unity, Church House, London
Visit the CCU website at: www.cofe.anglican.org/info/ccu
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