A risk not to be run” “

The Churches are concerned by social divisions, by the new poverty, by the lack of strong values, by the fragile international situation. They therefore renew their political and social commitment and their determination to accompany the process of the unification of Europe. The 12th Assembly of the KEK, which has just ended in Trondheim, in Norway, concentrated more on these issues, than on the theological or ecclesiological questions more “typical” of the Churches; they provided the main focal points of the debate in the various work groups, in the four sections given the task of drafting the final document and in the round table on Europe. “I have come to Trondheim to thank you for the contribution you are making to Europe”, said Michael Weninger , aide to the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi. However, some Orthodox delegates, who intervened in the debate, raised the question of the risk of the Churches being reduced by “running behind the politicians”, instead of drawing greater attention to their role of giving witness and forming consciences. On the conclusion of the assembly, Archbishop Anastasios of the Orthodox Church of Albania and Bishop Kalpaian of the Armenian Church blessed the waters of the river Nidelva that flows through Trondheim and symbolically threw a cross and poured myrrh into it. The deepest significance of things. During the KEK assembly, attention was drawn to the need for greater spirituality and theological study, and for an ecumenical exchange that at present has difficulty in finding a space in the international structures. In a meeting at the “Torg”, an exhibition center dedicated to the presentation of the Churches’ projects and particular events, the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, primate of the Church of England, though recognizing the public role of the Church, declared that “the Church exists to reveal a deeper humanity, to discover the deepest significance of things”. And to someone who asked him what his view of ecumenism is, the archbishop replied: “I would like to see more sharing and a deeper level of contemplation”. The president of the Council of the Episcopal Conferences of Europe (CCEE), Bishop Amédée Grab, gave an address to the assembly on 1st July. He judged the level of collaboration between CCEE and KEK in recent years “significant”. “I am thinking – he said – of the Charta oecumenica; of the joint work between COMECE and the Church and Society Commission on the process of the European Union, EU enlargement, and in a special way on the formulation of the European Constitutional Treaty. It was of fundamental importance for the Convention to reach a shared draft”. With a view to the growth of collaboration in future, Grab urged that the joint CCEE-KEK Committee be used more frequently; it’s “an original body, one that the other continents don’t have, and representative of all the Churches of Europe. Its role could become increasingly important for Europe”. What the Churches are hoping for: steps in unity. Two days were dedicated to the discussion of the documents adopted by by the assembly (see further page 2) and to the candidatures for the new central committee, in the search for the right balance in which the young, women, minority Churches and Churches of immigration may find their rightful place. In his brief concluding address, Metropolitan Jérémie, outgoing president of KEK, affirmed: “Perhaps this assembly has not given rise to a clear-cut result, or a precise theological analysis; but what we have achieved in the search for exchange and democratic balance is important. However, even more important is what the Churches expect of us: that we take steps in the unity of the faith”. And he added: “Don’t be astonished if at times we in the Orthodox Churches are sometimes reticent in opening ourselves to dialogue. The fact is we are concerned whether we will be able to continue working together. Theology, the faith in Christ, just as it is, constitutes our Churches and our mission. May Christ heal us, reconcile us and give us perfect unity”. The general secretary of the KEK Keith Clements announced that a letter would be sent to the Orthodox Churches of Georgia and Bulgaria that withdrew from KEK in 1997, to share with them the results of the assembly and resume dialogue. A young Orthodox priest, whom the Baptist delegation from Georgia included among its members, was however present at the assembly. (reports from trondheim on the 12th kek assembly were filed by Sarah Numico)