Ecumenism, fresh air

Europe is facing a set of challenges: the economic crisis, the strong flows of migration from areas of conflict in Africa, the Middle East, and other world areas, the plague of slavery and human trafficking. The appeal of the Christian Churches is clear: don’t lose hope, heal the wounds. “For a Europe of freedom” is the title of the message released in Rome at the end of the annual CCEE-CEC Joint Committee meeting, that brings together Churches of the various Christian denominations in Europe. The statement was published May 8, marking the day in which Europe commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Migrants, Roma, Peace… The first thoughts of the Churches go to the tragic situation of migrants who perish in the attempt of crossing the Mediterranean Sea before reaching the European shores of freedom. European Church leaders write: “We call for a freedom that rescues migrants in the Mediterranean, and works for an end to the causes of desperate migration and allows for all to live peacefully in their homelands”. Their words extend to the Roma population for whom the Christians call for “words of solidarity in the face of anti-Roma prejudice”. Words of concern are expressed over the worldwide modern day slavery and human trafficking calling upon Europe to end this cruelty in compliance with the request – strongly supported by Pope Francis – advanced by religious leaders past December 2. The Churches will accompany the ongoing debates on the environment ahead of the Paris colloquiums on Climate Change in December. Moreover, the final statement is an appeal not to lose hope, despite everything else. “We call for a freedom that chooses hope over despair”, the Church dignitaries write. “Shall we be able to use of our free hearts and our free minds to heal the wounds”.? Seventy years since the end of the Second World War, “we pray for lasting peace in Europe and the whole world, which is the fruit of all justice”. The message is the result of a three-day meeting in Rome that brought together the representatives of Christian Churches in Europe. After the European ecumenical assemblies and the ratification of the Charta Oecumenica in 2007, in recent years ecumenism has gone through a period of stagnation. There was a breath of fresh air in Europe, that emerged when the leaders of the two European bodies spoke with each other and with journalists. It is perceivable in the harmony of thought and opinion on a wide range of themes such as religious freedom, State-Church relations, Islamic fundamentalism, in the Christian witness and in Christian martyrdom worldwide. Anglican Reverend Christopher Hill, CEC president, presented the final balance of the meeting on behalf of participants. He mentioned the “positive and constructive” climate of the meeting. Words of appreciation were conveyed over the meeting with Pope Francis. “The Pope – said Rev Hill – was able to combine the formality of the meeting with his humanity”. Do you truly believe in a common, shared stand on topical themes? Journalists asked. He replied: “At times, at the level of public perception, it Christians are viewed as often disagreeing with each other. Obviously, Christians may have different understandings of ethical themes. But it is often forgotten that Christians in most cases share the same views on major issues regarding the common good. Indeed, authentic, overarching commonality of views involve the common good are coupled by concrete, shared initiatives”. Rev Hill mentioned the Churches’ commitment for the abolition of slavery and human trafficking along with the positions taken in England by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Anglican Communion with regard to the political elections. “Even though the styles vary, the content is substantially the same”.