Conference of European Churches - Office of Communications Press Release No. 06-06e 3 February 2006
EUROPEAN CHRISTIANS ARE COMMITTED TO RESPECT MUSLIMS
The Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) has issued the following statement regarding the controversy around the publication, in Denmark and other countries, of cartoons caricaturing the Prophet Mohammed:
The Conference of European Churches, whose membership includes the Church of Denmark and the Church of Norway, entirely supports the statements issued by those two churches regarding the published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. Our position on cultural and religious diversity within Europe is made clear in the Charta Oecumenica which states that: "we consider the diversity of our regional, national, cultural and religious traditions to be enriching for Europe*The churches are called upon to serve together the cause of reconciliation among peoples and cultures." On relations with Islam, the Charta adds, "we would like to intensify encounters between Christians and Muslims and enhance Christian-Islamic dialogue at all levels. . . We commit ourselves to conduct ourselves towards Muslims with respect." (Charta Oecumenica § 8 and 11, CEC-CCEE 2001).
It is in light of these statements that we support all that the Committee for Church and Religious Encounter of the Church of Denmark has to say in its statement concerning the need to achieve a proper balance between on the one hand the freedom to speak and on the other hand the respect for others. We agree wholeheartedly with the Committee's statement that "to provoke and offend the individual's faith for the sake of provocation in itself serves no purpose".
As a conference of churches we believe that in relation to other faith communities who share this continent with us we need to show humility and openness, ready to listen to their insights whilst ready at the same time to be open and honest about points at which we differ. We seek to speak openly about the need to stand against images of confrontation within civil society and to work for that reconciliation of which the Charta Oecumenica speaks.
Together with our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers within the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) we engage in regular dialogue with representatives of the Islamic community in Europe, precisely in order to achieve reconciliation and greater mutual understanding. We do not act alone in this and know that throughout Europe individual churches are also involved in promoting dialogue with our sister and brother Europeans who hold the Islamic faith.
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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 Luca Negro Conference of European Churches Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25 Fax +41 22 791 62 27 e-mail Luca.Negro@cec-kek.org