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“The Churches of a continent that is in the process of uniting itself cannot permit themselves to be divided”. So writes Orthodox Archbishop Christodulos of Athens and of all Greece in a statement addressed to the delegates of the Conference of the Christian Churches (CEC/KEK), gathered in recent days in Trondheim (Norway) for their 12th General Assembly. “We need to increase our efforts in pursuit of unity – adds Christodulos -, not only by reinforcing out collaboration on social, political and moral issues, but also by devoting greater attention to the study of the theological questions and the principles that unite us and those that divide us: only thus can we strengthen our solidarity and overcome the existing obstacles on the road to unity”. The debate at the assembly was also conducted in four thematic work groups, called to formulate proposals, which – once examined and endorsed by the plenary assembly – will become the priorities of KEK’s work for the next six years. Three documents. Three fundamental documents were adopted by the assembly: a letter to the Churches to encourage them to continue in the pursuit of unity; a “public declaration” on current issues; and the objectives and guidelines for the work of KEK for the next six years. Positive and negative aspects. “Trondheim, flooded by light even at night during this period of the year, reminds us that Christ is light without darkness. … There’s a great deal of work to be done, but the signs of light are there, aroused by our common willingness to enter into dialogue in a spirit of truth and of love”, declares the first of the three documents. “In the debates during the assembly it was repeatedly emphasized that in no way could new barriers be permitted to be erected between the peoples and countries in Europe and in the world”. The importance of the Christian tradition in the history of the continent is also underlined in the message. Towards a Europe of peace and justice. The second document is a “public declaration” on current issues, on which it is right and necessary that the voice of the Church should be expressed. The document speaks of Europe which, according to the Churches, “is not linked to the potential frontiers of the European Union”; they “hope and pray that Europe may become a continent of peace, justice and truth”. The Churches recognize, nonetheless, that this vision is at odds with the history of the continent, “martyred by conflicts and misunderstandings that often derive their origin from the religious heritage”. For this reason the religious communities “pledge to contribute to a peaceful solution of these problems”. The Churches express satisfaction in the results achieved by the Convention, especially in the values that the European Union recognizes, and declare their willingness to contribute to the future of the EU. Kosovo, the protection of migrants, the defence of the indigenous populations of Norway, the environment and the Middle East, are some of the other issues touched on by the document. Reinforcing the Christian voice. The third document is more internal in character. It defines the objectives and guidelines enunciated by KEK for its work in the next six years. There are some forty areas in which the Churches want to work together. “The Christian voice needs to be strengthened in our continent. We must redefine our common mission, objectives and contents”. That’s why the delegates consider it necessary “to put the emphasis on the theological work in KEK and in the Churches that form part of it, since theology is not speculation, but a help to the Churches in justifying the hope by which they are inspired. So the bilateral and multilateral dialogues will continue, in particular the dialogue with the Orthodox Church. The KEK also wants to reinforce its dialogue and collaboration with the Catholic Church. An important stage in this process will be the European ecumenical assembly that the CCEE (Council of the European Episcopal Conferences) and the KEK will hold in 2007. The Charta oecumenica is one area in which an exchange between the Churches in Europe can be promoted. A good deal of energy is being devoted to political and social themes: one of the main priorities is that of accompanying the process of European unification. In this perspective the KEK intends to examine the meaning of and foster agreement on the “Christian values” of which the Churches are the bearers in the continent. The Charta oecumenica is being increasingly invoked and cited to inspire the future work of the CEC. “The Charter reminds me of the exercises for the violin that I played as a girl: I had to repeat them over and over again, until I could play them perfectly”, remarked Mrs. Bärbel Wartenberg-Potter, bishop of the German Evangelical Church: “The Charter is no different: even though it contains things that at times we take for granted, we have to keep on repeating them, so that they become part of the life of the Churches”. And a delegate, speaking on behalf of the patriarchate of Moscow, said that the Church ought to be more demanding and concrete on some problems, such as that of mission and proselytism. Msgr. Aldo Giordano, general secretary of the CCEE, invited the delegates of the CEC, once they have returned home, to go to the nearest Catholic community and ask: “On the basis of the Charta oecumenica, what can we do to increase our relations?”. Young people were the protagonists of a meeting that reflected on the theme of reconciliation – between the Churches, between the sexes, between unity and multiplicity – though testimonies, music, images, and dialogue. The Orthodox Archbishop of Tirana Anastasios addressed himself to the young, saying: “Don’t think you will succeed in solving all the problems of the Churches; be patient, and instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle instead”. “Ecclesia in Europa”: positive reception. The post-synodal exhortation “Ecclesia in Europa” met with a positive reception among the delegates present at the KEK assembly. The Anglican bishop of London , Richard Chartres, shared the “interpretation it gives of reality”. The fact of sharing its analysis is also an encouragement in the common search for solutions. In the view of Bishop Athanasios Hatzopoulos, of the Greek Orthodox Church, “the text [of “Ecclesia in Europa”] will be a point of reference for the future”. He appreciates three aspects of the document in particular: “first, its coherence on the theme of hope; second, it is an evangelic text, and this guarantees its fidelity to the tradition, and also makes it an important document for the interpretation of current reality; and third, it offers a profound view of the world”. The bishop appreciates the fact that, although some problems are not new, the Catholic Church feels it necessary to reaffirm its teaching in such fields as the family, youth, and the need to educate in respect for the human person. The document has an ecumenical dimension; nonetheless, he adds, “even if we share the faith in the value of the tradition, where it mentions the ‘successor of Peter’, we Orthodox have difficulty in subscribing to these affirmations”. Metropolitan Gennadios (ecumenical Patriarchate) also expressed his appreciation for the document because it is “very rich and full of challenges” and commended it for its biblical and patristic foundation. Even though it can be sensed that the document is in some aspects four years old, it is very lucid in describing the suffering and anguish of the Church in Europe, and it is also the bearer of a strong sense of hope”. There are two “critical” points in the document from an ecumenical point of view: the first is the reference, in no. 32, to the Uniate Churches and the second is that the document speaks of the “Church in Europe”, without specifying what church is being referred to. It is obvious that it is a document of the Catholic Church, but, contests the Metropolitan, “Europe is not a monopoly of the Catholic Church and belongs to all denominations. The document does not say that the Church is divided and separated”. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, of the Reformed Church of France – who chaired the assembly in Trondheim – appreciates the document’s “perceptive analysis of contemporary society, even if it is a very critical one”. “It’s a pity that at the ecumenical level the document does not take into consideration some important developments this year, such as the Charta oecumenica“. According to Bishop Amédée Grab, president of the CCEE, the document “is profound in its spiritual interpretation. It has a convincing style and an extraordinary density”. “It’s not merely an abstract and theologically profound treatise – he says –: Europe is appealed to as a person; the style of the heartfelt appeal to have faith in Europe is moving. The Pope recalls that Europe has received many treasures and must turn these gifts to account. The Pope knows how to arouse hope in the European reader”.