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CEC - Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Christian Humanism


From Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>
Date Wed, 09 Jun 2004 02:11:47 -0700

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER AND CHRISTIAN HUMANISM:
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BONHOEFFER'S JOURNEY TO THE ETERNAL CITY

The Conference of European Churches is pleased to forward this press 
release from the International Bonhoeffer Congress

100 theologians from 14 countries will be gathering in Rome from 6-11 June 
for the 9th International Bonhoeffer Congress on the theme "Dietrich 
Bonhoeffer and Christian Humanism". Since 1972, the Bonhoeffer Congresses 
have been held every 4 years. They are organised by the International 
Bonhoeffer Society whose purpose is to promote knowledge and research about 
the life and work of the German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Born in 
1906, Bonhoeffer died in the concentration camp at Flossenb|rg in 1945.

The location of the International Bonhoeffer Congress in Rome recalls 
Bonhoeffer's own journey to the Eternal City in which Christianity and 
classical culture together laid the foundations for much of western 
civilisation. The Congress theme likewise aims to highlight the synergy of 
these two traditions in shaping Bonhoeffer's life. At a time of militant 
religious fundamentalism and a morally bankrupt secularism, the recovery of 
this tradition is particularly urgent.

The Congress will be hosted by the Casa La Salle at via Aurelia 476. The 
opening worship will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, 6 June, with the Rev. Dr Keith 
Clements, General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches, 
preaching, and Dr Hans Pfeifer (Germany) presiding. The first plenary 
session will follow, with addresses by Prof. Michael Lukens (USA), Prof. 
Gianni Long, President of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, 
and Rev. Prof. Daniele Garrone, Dean of the Waldensian Theological Seminary 
(Rome).

The plenary addresses on Monday, June 7, will focus on "Bonhoeffer and the 
Pursuit of Christian Humanism", with seminars exploring such topics as the 
place of humanism in contemporary society as well as in an age of religious 
fundamentalism and secularity and humanist values in the context of 
Bonhoeffer's legacy.

The focus on Tuesday, June 8, will be "Bonhoeffer and Rome: ecclesial 
realities, spirituality, and ethics," with plenary sessions and seminars 
addressing issues of Bonhoeffer's relationship with Roman Catholicism and 
the Waldensians, spirituality and ethics in the context of Christian and 
global diversity, and the understanding of Christ in community and the 
politics of sociality.

Wednesday, June 9, will be devoted to tours and site-visits in Rome related 
to humanism in classical and Christian culture and to Bonhoeffer's 
distinctive experience in Rome, guided by the "Diary" from his Italian 
journey (April-June, 1924). The programme includes a visit of the Jewish 
Synagogue and a meeting with the Sant'Egidio Community.

The Congress sessions on Thursday, June 10, will be centered on concepts of 
"the human, humanism, and the ecumenical future." The seminars will feature 
discussions of the "the human" as an ecumenical theological issue today in 
the context of competing world-views, totalitarian and other political 
ideologies, racism, gender inequality, secularism and religious plurality. 
This focus will also include Bonhoeffer's legacy in the global quest for 
peace and justice.

The program will conclude with a closing plenary on Friday, June 11, that 
will explore the meaning of Bonhoeffer's ecumenical engagements today and 
assessments of the ecumenical future. The panelists will be Cardinal Walter 
Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for  Promoting Christian Unity; 
Dr Margot Kaessmann, Lutheran Bishop of Hannover, Germany; and Rev. Dr 
Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (Geneva).

* * * *

For more information please visit the Congress website:
www.bonhoeffercongress.org

or contact the Congress press office:
Luca Negro
Mobile phone +41 78 870 81 17 or +39 335 68 69 974


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