ECUMENISM
Protestant bishop Wolfgang Huber, President of the Council of the German Evangelical Church (Ekd), intends to improve the presently fissured relationship between Protestants and Catholics. On November 4, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ekd synod, held in Dresda until November 7, Mr.Huber spoke of the Catholic-Evangelical relationship and proposed to strengthen common elements. “The Evangelical and the Christian Church must face up to their responsibilities together in political and social contexts”, he said, since “if the two major Churches talk with a single voice they can increase their impact in seeking to implement the finalities of Christian faith, which is different from acting separately”. Bishop Huber proposed “an ecumenism of joined spirituality, mutual respect and common actions”, he added that “ecumenism lives of common chants, celebrations and prayer”. In his address the Bishop also mentioned relations with other religions. To the Muslims living in Germany the Protestant bishop launched an appeal so that they may “no longer ignore critical questions in the dialogue with Christians”, adding that he is in favor of a “critical culture of dialogue” between religions. Huber openly recognized Muslims in Germany the right to erect mosques, a topic which is presently object of debate in the Country. “This does not exclude critical confrontation on site, dimensions and number of Islamic places of worship”. The Bishop equally drew attention on Muslims’ “unconditional right to change their religion. Muslims who convert to Christianity must not be put under undue pressure, the same applies for Christians converting to Islam”. Huber also confirmed the objective of “close relations between Christians and Muslims”, however rejecting the Islamic proposal of a “three-party dialogue between Jews, Christians and Muslims”, since, he explained, “We consider Jewish-Christian relations unique from the theological viewpoint”.
