wfn.org | CEC - CEC PRESIDIUM AND GERMAN PROTESTANTS AGREE

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

CEC PRESIDIUM AND GERMAN PROTESTANTS AGREE
ON REFERENCE TO CHRISTIAN ROOTS IN THE EU CONSTITUTION

The Presidium of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council 
of the Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD) agree on the need for a 
reference to the Christian roots of Europe in the constitutional treaty of 
the European Union (EU). This consensus emerged during their meeting on 
Thursday evening, 3 June, in Hannover (Germany). The 10 member Presidium of 
CEC met in the EKD headquarters in Hannover from 1-4 June, under the 
leadership of its President, Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont (France), and 
Vice-Presidents Archbishop Anastasios of Albania and Dean Margarethe Isberg 
(Sweden). The EKD delegation was headed by its President, Bishop Wolfgang 
Huber. CEC representatives reported on the work done by its Church and 
Society Commission with regard to the European integration process. They 
underlined the need for the churches to support the EU enlargement,  to 
make the Christian voice an integral part of  the foundation of the EU, 
which has to become a community of shared value!
s such as justice, peace and solidarity. "This is why an explicit reference 
to the Christian roots of European culture in the new EU constitution is of 
vital importance", said Rev. de Clermont.

The Presidium officially started the search process for the new General 
Secretary of CEC, to replace Rev. Dr Keith Clements upon his retirement at 
the end of 2005. Also discussed were: plans  for the 3rd European 
Ecumenical Assembly, to be held in 2007 and proposals for the 
"reconfiguration" of the ecumenical movement, including CEC's own 
structure.  Reports were received from the new "Church and Society" and 
"Churches in Dialogue" commissions, as well as from the review group on CEC 
work in the area of solidarity and women. All issues were forwarded to the 
next meeting of  CEC's governing body, the 40 member Central Committee, 
which will meet in Prague, Czech Republic, from 27 September to 3 October
2004.

The Presidium ended today with a meeting with the Executive Committee of 
the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE, Leuenberg Church 
Fellowship). The Presidium welcomed the decision of  CPCE and of the 
Evangelical Church of W|rttemberg (Germany) to second Rev. Dr Dieter 
Heidtmann to the CEC Church and Society Commission in Brussels from 1 
September 2004.

* * * *

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125 
Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries 
of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It 
has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

For information:
Office of Communications
Conference of European Churches
Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25
Mobile +41 78 870 8117
Fax +41 22 791 62 27
e-mail Luca.Negro@cec-kek.org
website: http://www.cec-kek.org