Conference of European Churches

Conference of European Churches. The Conference of European Churches is a fellowship of Christian churches in Europe, founded in 1959 in Nyborg, Denmark, with the aim of promoting unity and cooperation among its member churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and various Protestant denominations, such as the Lutheran World Federation and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. The organization has its roots in the European ecumenical movement, which emerged in the aftermath of World War II, with key figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Karl Barth playing important roles in shaping the movement, alongside organizations like the World Council of Churches and the European Council of Churches. The Conference of European Churches has been involved in various initiatives, including dialogue with the European Union and cooperation with other regional ecumenical organizations, such as the Middle East Council of Churches and the All Africa Council of Churches.

● History

The history of the Conference of European Churches dates back to the 1950s, when European church leaders, including Willem Visser 't Hooft and Joost Ritman, began exploring ways to promote unity and cooperation among Christian churches in Europe, in the context of the emerging European integration movement, which led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community and the Treaty of Rome. The organization was formally established in 1959, with the support of churches like the Church of England, the Evangelical Church in Germany, and the Orthodox Church of Greece, as well as ecumenical organizations like the World Student Christian Federation and the Young Men's Christian Association. Since its founding, the Conference of European Churches has been involved in various initiatives, including dialogue with the Soviet Union and its successor states, such as Russia and Ukraine, as well as cooperation with other regional ecumenical organizations, like the Latin American Council of Churches and the Pacific Conference of Churches. Key events, such as the Second Vatican Council and the Fall of the Berlin Wall, have also shaped the organization's history and activities, in conjunction with other ecumenical bodies, including the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

● Organization

The Conference of European Churches is governed by an Assembly, which meets every four years, and a Committee, which oversees the organization's work between assemblies, with the support of European church leaders, such as Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The organization has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and is led by a General Secretary, who is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Assembly and Committee, in cooperation with other ecumenical organizations, like the Commission of the European Communities and the Council of Europe. The Conference of European Churches also has a number of working groups and commissions, which focus on specific issues, such as human rights, migration, and environmental protection, in collaboration with organizations like Amnesty International, the International Rescue Committee, and the World Wildlife Fund. These groups are composed of representatives from member churches, as well as experts from other fields, including academia and civil society, such as the University of Oxford and the European University Institute.

● Membership

The Conference of European Churches has over 120 member churches, representing a wide range of Christian traditions, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant denominations, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church in Poland, and the Church of Scotland. Member churches come from nearly every country in Europe, including Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, as well as other regional organizations, like the Nordic Council and the Baltic Assembly. The organization also has a number of associated members, which are churches or organizations that are not full members but participate in the Conference's work, such as the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. The Conference of European Churches is committed to promoting unity and cooperation among its member churches, and works to address issues of common concern, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, in partnership with organizations like the European Anti-Poverty Network and the Climate Action Network Europe.

● Activities

The Conference of European Churches is involved in a wide range of activities, including ecumenical dialogue, advocacy, and humanitarian work, in cooperation with other ecumenical organizations, like the World Council of Churches and the Caritas Internationalis. The organization has been a strong advocate for human rights and social justice, and has worked to promote peace and reconciliation in Europe and beyond, in collaboration with organizations like the European Union and the United Nations. The Conference of European Churches has also been involved in initiatives to address issues like migration and refugee protection, and has worked to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation, with organizations like the Islamic Society of North America and the World Jewish Congress. Additionally, the organization has a strong focus on youth empowerment and environmental protection, and has launched initiatives to promote sustainable development and climate action, in partnership with organizations like the European Youth Forum and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

● Ecumenical Relations

The Conference of European Churches has strong ecumenical relations with other regional and global ecumenical organizations, including the World Council of Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, and the All Africa Council of Churches. The organization is also a member of the European Ecumenical Commission on Church and Society, and works closely with other ecumenical bodies, such as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. The Conference of European Churches has also been involved in dialogue with other faith communities, including Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism, and has worked to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation, in collaboration with organizations like the World Council of Religious Leaders and the European Council of Religious Leaders. Through its ecumenical relations, the Conference of European Churches seeks to promote unity and cooperation among Christian churches, and to address issues of common concern, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, in partnership with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.