wfn.org | Interconfessional research group discusses European unification

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

process
Overcome image that perpetuates systemic borders

BRUSSELS, Belgium/GENEVA, 30 April 1998 (lwi) - One of the European
Protestant churches' main tasks is to overcome an image of Europe that
perpetuates systemic borders, according to the 35th annual meeting of the
Protestant Working Group for Interconfessional Research in Europe. The 24
participants in the meeting from 10 European countries representing 15
churches and nine ecumenical institutes and institutions, say such a
tendency is evident in the unilateral approach to economic aspects of the
European unification process.

The European Union's focus on Europe and its significance for the European
churches was central to the meeting, held April 16-20 in Brussels, Belgium.
The concept behind European unification was discussed in conversations with
representatives of the European Ecumenical Commission for Church and
Society and the Roman Catholic commission of bishops' conferences in
European Community countries (ComECE), mainly from the perspective of the
planned expansion eastward.

Borders of affluence instead of ideological borders

In view of the unilateral approach to economic aspects of the European
unification process, it was said that the former system of ideological
borders threatens to become a "border of affluence". According to such a
concept of Europe, emerging democracies of the former Communist countries
would have to prove their "European worthiness" through rapid economic
growth, the participants said.

The Reformation churches could positively incorporate their diversity into
the social dialogue at the European level by making use of their many
traditions and confessional expressions, they said. If the churches
succeed, through appropriate organizational channels, in showing that their
diversity is an enriching element for individuals, this could set an
example for other areas of European society, they underlined.

Questions were raised concerning the relationship between church and
nation. It is increasingly upheld, the participants stressed, that churches
must define themselves as transcending political, geographical and
ideological borders. In this connection, there must be dialogue both on the
inside and outside, they added.

Individual country reports presented by the participants reflected both
disillusionment and new beginnings as being characteristic of the current
situation of Protestant churches in Europe. Disillusionment often sets in
upon the realization that the church as an institution has relatively
little status in society and political developments in different countries
lead to disappointment.

But an increase in ecumenical contacts, together with the endeavor to bear
credible witness in society, point to innovation. People are showing more
and more interest in the basic tenets of the church, as confirmed by a
study conducted in the Netherlands which indicates, among other results,
that while the church's significance for people's lives at a personal level
is on the decrease, the church's public role is being affirmed more
strongly than in previous years.

Reports from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy show that relations with
the Roman Catholic Church have improved significantly. In most countries,
the dialogue between Christians and Jews has gained in importance.
Discussions on the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the
Doctrine of Justification so far have been positive, according to the
participants. They agreed that the declaration is an important step to be
followed up with work on the remaining open questions.

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