PRESS RELEASE No 4

CEC-CCEE Encounter: Opening Worship Service

The opening worship service of the European Ecumenical Encounter of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) was held in Strasbourg Cathedral on Thursday, 19 April 2001.

Cardinal Doré, the Archbishop of Strasbourg (Roman Catholic), welcomed the 200 representatives of these two organisations who have come to participate in this European Ecumenical Encounter, including 100 young people, with their Presidents Cardinal Vlk (CCEE) and Metropolitan Jérémie (CEC), as well members of Strasbourg's Christian communities who were in attendance. He emphasised that Strasbourg Cathedral "symbolises a long history of division between two confessions and between two peoples". Protestants and Catholics, French and Germans have been in conflict here. "The future can only be built on a foundation of peace, as we are doing here in this cathedral for all Europeans."

Professor Elisabeth Parmentier of the Faculty of Theology at Marc Bloch University in Strasbourg, preached the sermon. Christ's final words to his disciples, "I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matthew 28.20), which this Encounter has taken as its theme, constitute an appeal to all those who have responsibility as leaders of the people of God. But now Christ is risen - in Parmentier's words, "We have to follow where Easter is moving." But what route shall we take? What map shall we follow? Jesus told his disciples to meet him in Galilee. Parmentier points out that "Galilee, in the Bible, was the place where two things happened: the Temptation and the Transfiguration of Christ." These two events indicate the polarity of the ecumenical map: the temptation to turn inward, to concentrate on our own identity, to become discouraged; and the transfiguration of a Church which will be following its vocation if we go toward our centre, toward the Christ who is in our midst. According to Elisabeth Parmentier, "it is because Christ is in our midst that we are no longer afraid to look at one another." For the daily life of the churches, the Charta Oecumenica, which will be signed on Sunday 22 April, represents hope. So we do have a map, which will lead us to a new stage on our journey: Emmaus. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were travelling with the One from whom they had been fleeing. When he broke bread with them, they recognised him. "We are still far from the inn, far from sharing the supper with one another," says Parmentier.

There is still a long road ahead, but it is the responsibility of church leaders, Christian people and particularly the younger generations to travel that road. "Europe needs the churches to be reconciled in order to heal its wounds," says Professor Parmentier.

In four languages, expressing its diversity, the congregation prayed the "Veni, Creator Spiritus", while in its rhythm seven candles were lighted on a menorah as a symbol of solidarity with Judaism. Each participant in the worship service received a white scarf bearing Christ's words, "I am with you."