“In the construction of Europe, the Conference of the Churches of the Rhine (CERR), through its own spiritual or charitable commitment, places itself at the defence of the dignity of each man and woman, rich or poor; it supports the European Social Charter and the values on which it is based”. That’s a passage from the statement issued by the CERR at the end of its 46th Conference held at Strasbourg in recent weeks on “New forms of poverty and wealth. Our Churches faced by European social challenges”. With regard to growing precariousness, social injustice, problems of the family, risks of the market economy and those being run by the system of social protection in Europe, the Churches – says the statement – intend to “facilitate contacts and collaboration with the aim of forging partnerships between administrations, disadvantaged citizens and charitable institutions”. By way of example the document cites some projects presented during the Conference, such as the funding of social housing, support and advice for the over-indebted, or the supply of good-quality clothing: “at Amsterdam the project Suits for success is not limited to distributing clothes, but also makes sure the clothes help to improve the image of those who wear them”. The CERR represents the two Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine, and various reformed, evangelical and Lutheran churches in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
