Protestants seek a distinctive voice in Europe
-14/10/06
The newly-elected general sec
Protestants seek a distinctive voice in Europe
-14/10/06
The newly-elected general secretary of Europe’s largest grouping of Protestant churches says that he wants to strengthen the “Protestant voice” in European affairs, while also stepping up dialogue with other religious traditions ñ reports Ecumenical News International.
“There is a specific Protestant source of ethics, particularly towards freedom and responsibility, which could be helpful in discussing contemporary issues in Europe,” explained the Rev Michael Buenker, who takes over in January 2007 as general secretary of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe.
Mr Buenker, a 52-year-old Lutheran pastor, was speaking following his election in September at the general assembly in Budapest of the coalition, which has 104 European Protestant churches in membership.
He said his priorities would include “deepening the community of churches” through worship and common prayer, as well as strengthening the Protestant voice on issues such as immigration and the future of the European Union.
Earlier this month, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, speaking in Germany, likewise urged Anglicans towards an open and positive engagement with the emerging European agenda.
Dr Williams declared: ìJesus Christ tells us to say ëPeace!í ñ not in a tone that suggests we are happy with all that Europe is or has become, not as though we thought Europe the measure of human excellence. We simply say, ëPeace!í- meaning that we seek the welfare of this society, its justice and stability and honesty, and that we believe it is a society capable of hearing and being transformed by the Word of grace.î
He went on: ìWe live out our commitment to this society that is still (perhaps rather grudgingly these days) prepared to welcome or at least put up with our presence; we involve ourselves in the debates that are shared across our continent about power and identity and local autonomy and migration. We join in this with our minds and hearts shaped by what Jesus has made possible, by the reality of the apostolic community that is his Body, and the relations of mutuality and love that grow in this Body.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Church message in Europe is peace and welcome, says Archbishop 05/10/06; Archbishop highlights the role of faith in Europe’s future; Archbishop of Canterbury commends secularity to faith communities; Bishops urge re-engagement of citizens with ‘European project’; Remaking Europe: Gospel in a Divided Continent; Should God get a name-check? Ekklesiaís Simon Barrow on Christendom and the EU constitution]
Protestants seek a distinctive voice in Europe
-14/10/06
The newly-elected general secretary of Europe’s largest grouping of Protestant churches says that he wants to strengthen the “Protestant voice” in European affairs, while also stepping up dialogue with other religious traditions ñ reports Ecumenical News International.
“There is a specific Protestant source of ethics, particularly towards freedom and responsibility, which could be helpful in discussing contemporary issues in Europe,” explained the Rev Michael Buenker, who takes over in January 2007 as general secretary of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe.
Mr Buenker, a 52-year-old Lutheran pastor, was speaking following his election in September at the general assembly in Budapest of the coalition, which has 104 European Protestant churches in membership.
He said his priorities would include “deepening the community of churches” through worship and common prayer, as well as strengthening the Protestant voice on issues such as immigration and the future of the European Union.
Earlier this month, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, speaking in Germany, likewise urged Anglicans towards an open and positive engagement with the emerging European agenda.
Dr Williams declared: ìJesus Christ tells us to say ëPeace!í ñ not in a tone that suggests we are happy with all that Europe is or has become, not as though we thought Europe the measure of human excellence. We simply say, ëPeace!í- meaning that we seek the welfare of this society, its justice and stability and honesty, and that we believe it is a society capable of hearing and being transformed by the Word of grace.î
He went on: ìWe live out our commitment to this society that is still (perhaps rather grudgingly these days) prepared to welcome or at least put up with our presence; we involve ourselves in the debates that are shared across our continent about power and identity and local autonomy and migration. We join in this with our minds and hearts shaped by what Jesus has made possible, by the reality of the apostolic community that is his Body, and the relations of mutuality and love that grow in this Body.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Church message in Europe is peace and welcome, says Archbishop 05/10/06; Archbishop highlights the role of faith in Europe’s future; Archbishop of Canterbury commends secularity to faith communities; Bishops urge re-engagement of citizens with ‘European project’; Remaking Europe: Gospel in a Divided Continent; Should God get a name-check? Ekklesiaís Simon Barrow on Christendom and the EU constitution]