ECUMENISM
Italy: IV National Ecumenical Meeting On May 7 an ecumenical prayer opened the IV National Ecumenical Meeting in Siracusa (Sicily). The conference is being promoted in conjunction with the Commission for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, with the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy (FCEI) and by the Holy Orthodox archdiocese in Italy. Theme of the encounter, set in the framework of the celebrations dedicated to the Apostle of the People, were St. Paul ‘s words: “Woe to me if I don’t preach the Gospel”. Approximately one hundred representatives of the three major Christian families: Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox, attended the meeting. It was the first time that members of the Russian Orthodox Church attended an Italian ecumenical gathering, joined by representatives of the Orthodox Churches of Romania and Greece. A delegation of the Pentecostal theological faculty linked to the Federation of Pentecostal churches in Italy, one of the most important Italian evangelical networks, also attended for the first time. At the end of the meeting, the Churches issued a final document in which Christian Churches’ representatives underline “the success of the meeting” and renew their “commitment to live ecumenically the mandate of the Gospel’s proclamation in a society that we acknowledge to be increasingly multicultural and pluralist also under the religious profile”. The conference addressed a number of topical themes including that of immigration, while the Italian government was debating a bill on the issue. In their final document the Churches launched an appeal to solidarity. “We convey our deep concern over the measures and regulations against immigrants and refugees, which risk violating fundamental human rights and denying basic principles of humanity, child protection and family unity, coexistence in the public arena and freedom of expression of migrants’ different religious traditions”. Ireland: “no” to negative statements against CatholicsDuring the third day of the Synod in Armagh past May 10, the “Church of Ireland”, the chapter of the Anglican Communion in Ireland, adopted a recommendation to be inserted in the “Book of common prayer”, on which is based its liturgy, amending the anti-Catholic phrases that date from distant historical periods. The Declaration by the “Church of Ireland” states, “these historic formularies are a definition of faith” and “are part of a living tradition that today must face new challenges and grasp fresh opportunities”. “Historic documents often stem from periods of deep separation between Christian Churches”, continues the Declaration. “Whilst, in spite of a real degree of convergence, distinct differences remain, the tone and tenor of the language of the negative statements towards other Christians should not be seen as representing the spirit of this Church today”. The “Book of common prayer” contains anti-Catholic words like “papist doctrines” and “the blasphemous fairy tales and its dangerous tricks”. However, the “Church of Ireland” has decided to remove the provocative tone of these phrases. Patrick Rooke, archpriest of Armagh, who proposed the approved amendments last year, told Catholic weekly “Tablet” that the Declaration inserted in the “Book of common prayer” “is a remarkable and fundamental document in contemporary society, especially in light of the present ecumenical journey we are undertaking”. Germany: Sunday ecumenism “For once, celebrate Sunday”: this is the slogan of a national campaign in support of work-free Sunday, promoted by the German ecumenical association in Hamburg “Andere Zeiten” and inaugurated May 7. “Each Sunday can be an island for the soul and for society. This days deserves to be promoted”, declared Hinrich Westphal, Andere Zeiten coordinator, during the inauguration. The initiative envisages the distribution of 560,000 posters and post cards across over 4,500 restaurants and pubs. Evangelical and Catholic communities also intend to affix the posters. A 144-page book on various aspects of Sundays, including relevant poems, images and caricatures will be equally distributed. The campaign envisages a journalist context on the theme of Sunday with a 6000-euro award. The initiative organised by the non-profit organization Andere Zeiten is aimed at discovering the various liturgical moments of the year. It will be ongoing until the end of 2009.
