Conference of European Churches - Office of Communications

Press release No. 07-36/e

30 August 2007

CEC EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH ON THE EVE OF THE THIRD EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY IN SIBIU

The General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Venerable Colin Williams, has sent a letter of solidarity to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is presently the subject of a judicial procedure in Turkey that is questioning the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and particularly the use of the title “Ecumenical Patriarch”.

“It is a cause of great sadness to us that Your All Holiness’ entitlement to use the word ‘Ecumenical’ in your title is in question”, stated the Venerable Colin Williams in his letter, dated 27 August 2007. Recalling that the Ecumenical Patriarch will address the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) in Sibiu, Romania, 4-9 September 2007 at its opening prayer service, he stated: “We could think of no other church leader in Europe who is so naturally recognised as a key figure in the ecumenical aspirations of the churches of Europe. Your own personal commitment to the work of ecumenism is apparent to all who are familiar with the ecumenical engagement of churches within Europe. Your influence on the Church across Europe, within and beyond your own tradition, through your spiritual leadership and not least by your powerful expression of the need for the Church to speak out and act in defense of Creation, is profound”.

“We are very conscious too of Your All Holiness’ pivotal role amongst the Orthodox Churches”, Williams stated. “We recall too that the Title ‘Ecumenical Patriarch’ is one which goes back more than 1000 years and that throughout that time it has not simply been an empty form of words, but has symbolised a real commitment on the part of your predecessors to engage with churches of other traditions across Europe”.

His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will address the EEA3 at its opening prayer service on Wednesday 5 September, at 9 am. His meditation will deal with the Assembly theme: “The light of Christ shines upon all. Hope for renewal and unity in Europe”.

For background information please refer to: (WCC- World and European ecumenical bodies express support and solidarity to the Ecumenical Patriarch)

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The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 120 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

For more information:
Luca M. Negro
CEC Office of Communications
Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25
Fax +41 22 791 62 27
e-mail: Luca.Negro@cec-kek.org