CHRISTIAN CHURCHES
Italy: the new president of the Evangelical churches Methodist pastor Massimo Aquilante is the new president of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy (FCEI). He was elected by FCEI’s XV assembly in Florence. He represents some 60,000 Valdese, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran faithful of the Salvation Army and more. Pastor Aquilante, who has a three-year mandate, succeeds pastor Domenico Masselli, warmly received by the Assembly upon the termination of his life-long commitment for the Federation. Massimo Aquilante, married with two children, was born in Genoa in 1958 of a pastoral family. He served as pastor in the Methodist Churches of Savona, Milan, Terni, Parma and Mezzano, Bologna, Aquila. The XV Assembly of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy closed with a message: to extend the Evangelical voice across Italy. A series of proposals were endorsed during the meeting that include immigration, the environment, the laity, religious freedom, not to mention the 150th anniversary of Italy’s Unity in 2011, an event that is especially dear to Italian Protestants. Indeed, the Assembly views the event as “an important occasion for reflection – for the Churches and for society as a whole – on the historical, cultural, ideal and spiritual themes from the Risorgimento to the Unity of Italy”, underlining the “fruitful relationship between Protestantism and the Risorgimento”. Thus, the Assembly calls the churches “to undertake a strong commitment of testimony and preaching, in reply to the vocation for the ‘new spiritual awakening’ of our country”.Russia: card. Ricard meets Patriarch KirillThe “exchange” of visits between French Catholics and Russian Orthodox faithful continue. From December 1-3 a French Catholic delegation went to Moscow on the invitation of Patriarch Kirill. The delegation was presided over by Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux and vice-President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences. On December 3rd the members of the Catholic delegation, accompanied for the occasion by the Apostolic nuncio to Russia, Msgr. Antonio Mennini, met with Patriarch Kirill and archbishop Hilarion (Alféïev), responsible for external relations at Moscow’s Patriarchate, before joint lunch at the seat of the patriarchate. “We are facing the challenges of secularization. We must address them together on the basis of our common historical experiences”, Patriarch Kirill said during the meeting, expressing his concern for immigrants from ex-Soviet Union to Western Europe, underlining, “the Church can help with the integration process at local level”. During the stay in Moscow the French delegation visited the Church of Christ the Saviour, the Monastery of Saint Daniel and other churches across the city, and held meetings with the members of the local Catholic community. Patriarch Ricard’s invitation to Russia was a response to Patriarch Alexis’ visit to France in October 2007. On that occasion, the archbishop of Bordeaux had received the Patriarch in his capacities as president of the French Bishops’ Conference. Anglicans: an election “against the spirit””This election raises very serious questions not only for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole”. The archbishop of Cantebury and Primate of the Anglican Communion Rowan Williams commented on the appointment of Reverend Mary Glasspool, nominated bishop of the Episcopalian Church past December 6 in a communiqué. Rev Glasspool, 55, is an openly declared homosexual, since she has been in a relationship with another woman for the past twenty years. She was elected bishop during the diocese’ traditional annual convention. She obtained 153 votes among members of the clergy and 203 votes from lay representatives, thus reaching the requested majority. The appointment of Rev Glasspool ensues the lift on the ban to the consecration of homosexual bishops on the part of the Episcopalian Church – that counts 2 million faithful in the US- past July. The ban had been placed four years ago to sedate the protests of conservative Anglicans and prevent a schism. The clash had been caused by the appointment of the first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003. Concern is conveyed in the communiqué. Moreover, “The process of selection” of Mary Glasspool, “is only partly complete” archbishop Williams noted. In fact, the appointment yet needs to undergo the approval or “rejection” of the bishops of the 108 Episcopal dioceses of the Country. “That decision will have very important implications”, he added. Williams recalled, “the bishops of the Communion jointly acknowledged the need for a moratorium period” as relates to decisions that “are against the spirit of the Communion”. Indeed, the appointment of Rev Glasspool does not comply with the moratorium period.
