1. Introduction

   The CCEE and the CEC are beginning a new phase in their work together and have therefore decided to agree on some guidelines for cooperation. These guidelines are to be an instrument for continuing and deepening the very important ecumenical work which has been developing more and more over the last few decades, culminating especially in the two European Ecumenical Assemblies at Basel (1989) and Graz (1997).

   At this time of transition to a new millennium in Christian history, CEC and CCEE are aware of their responsibility to serve the process of reconciliation among the churches towards visible unity, to join together in a witness of proclamation of the Gospel in Europe, and to seek ways of cooperation in social and cultural life. In this we follow the prayer of our Lord "that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe..." (Jn 17.21-22). We are also taking seriously the words of the Final Message from Graz: "A renewed and vigorous commitment by all the churches to work for the fulfilment of our Lord's prayer... would surely contribute to the development of a truly united Europe. We believe that this is a vision which must appeal to all, and one which we as Christians commit ourselves to pursue."

   These guidelines are closely related to carrying out a recommendation from the Graz assembly: "We recommend that the churches should work out a common document containing fundamental ecumenical duties and rights. From this a series of ecumenical guidelines, rules and criteria could be developed..." (Recommendation for Action 1.2).

   
   
   

2. General Principles

   2.1.1 The foundation and the heart of our cooperation shall always be to grow in hearing the Word of God, prayer, theological insight, conversion of individual persons and common witness to the world.

   2.1.2 Relations between CEC and CCEE and within the churches will seek especially to establish a dialogue in truth and love, a sharing of experiences and getting to know one another's churches, and to support the process of reconciliation. Hence the commitment:

   • to listen to one another with mutual attention and respect;
     

   • always to seek clarification in straightforward dialogue;
     
   • to contribute together towards resolution of tensions between churches;
     
   • to promote an ecumenical culture and spirituality;
     
   • and in specific cases to support local, national and regional ecumenical activities.

   2.1.3 In the area of social concerns and relations with public institutions, CCEE and CEC are committed to peace, justice and the integrity of creation, with special attention to the most disadvantaged, so as to contribute towards "giving a soul" to the building of European unity.

   2.2 In pursuing and deepening their cooperation, CCEE and CEC respect the ecclesiological, historical and structural differences between their two organisations. This is in order to avoid misunderstandings and false expectations on both sides, but also to see our differences as mutually enriching.

   • They respect the difference in their competencies and forms of representation. The CCEE, which is composed of the presidents of the 34 European Bishops' Conferences, represents a single church in which it has an official status. It speaks directly for the Bishops' Conferences, but has no doctrinal, theological or moral competence, because it is primarily a space for collegiality and sharing among those engaged in ministry. The CEC, made up of the representatives of 125 Protestant, Anglican, Old Catholic and Orthodox churches, seeks the unity of the churches by pursuing the path of deepening conciliar fellowship through dialogue, common study and cooperative ventures in witness and service.

   • They respect their relative strengths: their two secretariats are differently composed and have different budgets. The CCEE secretariat is "lighter", due to the presence of other bodies and commissions in the Catholic world, while the CEC secretariat is more substantial.

   • They respect differences in methodology on social-political issues. For instance, CEC has merged with EECCS (European Ecumenical Commission on Church and Society), while CCEE and COMECE (Bishops' Commission of the European Community) work closely together, but each is completely autonomous.

   2.3 The cooperation between CCEE and CEC is based on a spiritual and theological vision. However, it is not their task to concern themselves directly with doctrine. In their search for greater fellowship they will respect the identity of each individual church.

   At the same time they do not want to ignore problems which exist, and therefore seek to know about and to make known the results of ecumenical dialogues between church commissions, to encourage such activities by commissions, and possibly also to suggest topics which seem urgent and important for the life of the European churches.

   2.4 As an important step in the European churches' life together, they are developing - with the agreement of their member churches and Bishops' Conferences - a Charta Oecumenica. They commit themselves to put into practice the obligations agreed upon in this document.

   
   
   

3. Concrete formulas of cooperation

   3.1 Practical cooperation

   CCEE and CEC are committed to deepening mutual consultation and sharing of information concerning events, initiatives and decisions which could prove to be important.

   • The primary place for the sharing of information is the CCEE-CEC Joint Committee, which meets once a year.

   • We are already accustomed to sending one another our news publications (or letters), and the reports (or journals) of the meetings and consultations which we hold.

   • It has been decided in addition to have two regular meetings a year between our General Secretaries, with the possibility of participation by the Presidents in one of these, if necessary.

   • Conference telephone calls will be used in case of need for rapid communication between Presidents and General Secretaries.

   • Decisions affecting common interests will not be taken, or made public, without prior consultation with one another.

   • Special attention will be given to positive or negative developments in inter-church relations at regional or national levels, in order to support processes of reconciliation and find ways to intervene in order to help in solving problems.

   • CCEE and CEC will monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Second European Ecumenical Assembly.

   3.2 Programmatic cooperation

   1. The CEC-CCEE Joint Committee, consisting of five members from each body at present, is the "summit meeting" for cooperation.

   2. The two secretariats and General Secretaries work together in support of the various joint initiatives.

   3. The Joint Committee on "Islam in Europe" is concerned with dialogue with Islam in Europe, with emphasis on sharing of information, education, and dealing with the most urgent points in this dialogue, such as reciprocal concessions and mixed marriages. The Committee meets twice a year.

   4. The two bodies normally invite one another to the various symposia, conferences, meetings and initiatives which they hold.

   5. Two CCEE observers participate in the CEC Commission on Churches in Dialogue, which deals with problems of mission and pastoral ministry, among other issues.

   6. In case of extraordinary situations and events which could arise in our countries or between churches, the CEC and CCEE Presidents may make joint declarations or take positions in the name of the Joint Committee.

   7. The Joint Committee concerns itself with initiatives in condemning violence against women.

   8. CCEE and CEC support close cooperation among environment officers of churches with the Environment Network of European Christians.

   9. They promote initiatives towards peace and reconciliation in crisis situations, in close cooperation with existing organisations such as Justitia et Pax.

We trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to show us the next steps, beyond those which it has yet been possible for us to take together.

What we want above all to do is to follow the "Great Commandment", that is, Christ's commandment to love one another. We want to be credible witnesses to the fact that "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." (1 Cor 13.4-8)