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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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