CHURCH OF ENGLAND COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY CHURCH HOUSE LONDON

EUROPEAN BULLETIN – No 80 September 2014

CONTENTS

1. Introduction 2. Bishop Robert instituted in Gibraltar 3. News from CEC 4. News from Lambeth 5. News from the Vatican 6. Faith In Europe: World War I theme 16 October 7. AECA Celebration dinner 29 October 8. Metropolitan Anthony of Suorozh Centenary Conference 15 – 16 November 9. Annual Constantinople Lecture 27 November 10. And finally… Cricket at Canterbury

1. INTRODUCTION

Dear Bulletin Readers,

Summer is still with us! As we prepare this September bulletin CEC holds a late summer school in Palermo, Italy on the subject of freedom of religion. Two cricket teams prepare to meet in the cricket match of the season at Canterbury on Friday 19th.

In this time when the whole world is crowded with news we hope that this bulletin has items of interest. If we have missed out European events of interest please let me know so that we can include them or similar ones in future issues.

The CCU itself has a “Latest News” section on its website which embraces fresh home and overseas items.

With all good wishes,

Leslie Nathaniel CCU European Secretary and Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for International Ecumenical Affairs [email protected]

Francis Bassett Assistant Secretary CCU

1 [email protected] The Bulletin is sent out on a mailing list: Please advise us if your email address changes, or if you do not wish to receive the Bulletin. CCU is not responsible for the content of external web sites mentioned in this Bulletin.

2. BISHOP ROBERT INSTITUTED IN GIBRALTAR

Bishop Robert Innes was formally instituted into his chair (Cathedra) at the Diocese in Europe’s Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Gibraltar on Thursday 4 September. The occasion was blessed with some unseasonably hot autumn weather in the peninsula. Clergy and Readers from the Diocese shared in the processions and the service where the new diocesan bishop followed ancient custom by taking the historic oaths and accepting the mandate to lead the Diocese.

The Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Sheila Watson, formally led Bishop Robert to the Bishop’s Chair. He preached his first sermon as bishop in the Cathedral then celebrated the Eucharist.

Readers used some of the variety of languages from the diocese during the intercessions and at a few other points in the service.

Further details including Bishop Robert’s sermon can be found on the Diocese in Europe’s website at: http://europe.anglican.org/news/news/post/756-bishop-instituted-in-gibraltar

3. NEWS FROM CEC  Birth of the new CEC

CEC prepares for the official launch of its new configuration in December with an internal event for member churches and a semi – public event bringing in representatives of the European institutions and other friends and partners of CEC/CSC.

 Advancing Freedom of Religion or belief for all

Restrictions of freedom of religion or belief are an increasing challenge to the global world and to Europe in particular. The Summer School on Human Rights, hosted by the Italian Protestant Federation on 15 – 18 September in Palermo, Italy (a change from the original venue because of heavy flooding in Serbia) will focus on human rights, the politics of freedom, social hostility and the role of protection from domestic and international sources including the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE and the European Union. The Summer school is a project of CEC, supported by the University of Leuven.

2  Climate change: Young Christians call on EU to commit to eco-justice

“We stand for Sustainability and Eco-justice” was the main conclusion of the ecological conference which was held in Brussels on 9 September. The Conference, co-organised by Christian organisations in Brussels, gathered together representatives of the EU Institutions, Christian youth organisations and churches representatives. The forum emphasised that entering a path to decarbonise societies and climate justice can be achieved only through cooperation of many stakeholders including those from politics, civil society and churches. A specific role is to be given to the younger generation in this process. The conference gave the floor to projects citing examples and providing inspiration on how Christians youth organisations and churches can get involved and convey their specific approach. The Youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of North Germany presented outcomes of their Youth Climate Conference and the commitment “to shape our way of life in such a way that it conforms with the objectives of CO2 reduction.” Raphael Breyer from the Federation of Catholic Youth presented the project ‘I shop fair’ which proves that responsibility and consuming can go together. The project, which is being run in Germany, Austria, Poland and Malta aims at convincing church institutions and public administration to move to a more responsible internal purchasing policy. In Italy, an initiative from the Salesian community movement “Turismo giovanile e sociale” fosters sustainable Tourism by educating the youth who are discovering the world, to safeguard all creation. In the ensuing panel discussion, Margarete Auken, an MEP from Denmark reacted positively to the projects presentation. She stressed that “in tackling effects of climate change the EU needs to increase its level of ambitions and be responsive to various initiatives from different segments of society.” Participants included the Secretariat of COMECE, the Conference of European Churches, Don Bosco International, the Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe, the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Federation of Protestant Youth in Germany and Rete Juventutis (represented via the European Office for Catholic Youth Work and Adult Education.)  World War I commemoration

The outbreak of World War I is being commemorated with materials for churches. A conference in 2016 on Conflict and the Role of Churches in Peace Building is being organised.

 2018 Assembly

Preparations are now starting for the 2018 Assembly.

For more details about CEC see website at: http://www.ceceurope.org/

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4. NEWS FROM LAMBETH

 CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST: PRAYER SERVICE AT LAMBETH PALACE

A gathering at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday 3 September held in prayer the state of emergency in the Middle East for Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities. In a statement Archbishop Justin said: “In meeting and praying together, we give thanks for our brother and sisters as they continue to live their Christian faith with strength and perseverance. We commit to continue to stand with them in prayer, to speak for freedom from persecution for Christians and all other religious communities and those of no faith who live as minority groups across the region. We also continue to urge Her Majesty’s Government to work within the international community to safeguard and provide for all those affected.

To our brothers and sisters in the Middle East: we “share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance.” Revelation 1:9

More details are available at the Archbishop’s website at: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5403/watch-archbishop-calls-for- solidarity-and-prayer-with-mid-east-christians

 ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN SENDS GREETINGS TO ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE IN BOSE

Prior Enzo and the Community of the Monastery of Bose hosted the 22nd International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 6 September. Archbishop Justin sent a message of greeting. He said:

"The theme of this Twenty-Second International Conference of 'Blessed are the Peacemakers' is most appropriate in the light of so many grave situations of conflict across the world today. These conflicts confront the Church with the challenge of peace-making. The Conference is an opportunity to pray together, but also to reflect theologically, share testimonies, information and insight from many contexts on proactive ways to resolve conflict and foster peace. The devastating effects of conflicts on civilian populations, and particularly on religious minorities in Northern Iraq and other parts of the Middle East – to mention only one complex region of strife - do not leave us untouched. Our calling to be faithful to our Christian task of peacemaking, of being agents of peace, has become acute. "The condition of peace often appears elusive and even paradoxical. Jesus’ words from the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel are: “Blessed are the Peacemakers”, which

4 puts the onus on his followers to actively create peace. In John 14:27 the words of the risen Christ: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” suggest that peace is a given state, among his followers at least. This paradox is solved if we realise that the gift of peace is ours to claim, but that it can only be realised for ourselves as Christians and for the world, if we work for peace. Therefore, central to our calling to be Christians in the world is to be able to experience the peace of God and to be peacemakers in the world…. "May these days of prayer and discussions strengthen the faithful within the fragmented Body of Christ to an effective common global witness as peacemakers." The full message is available from the Archbishop’s website at the following page: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5409/archbishops-message-to- international-ecumenical-conference-on-orthodox-spirituality

5. NEWS FROM THE VATICAN:

 FAMILY AND EVANGELIZATION: SYNOD OF BISHOPS ASSEMBLY

Pope Francis has convened the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to take place in Rome from 5 to 19 October majoring on the topic The Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization. The Preparatory Document outlines God’s plan as revealed in scripture and examines the many social and scientific challenges that have arisen in the modern world. Questions are asked about the relationship between the Family and the Person. To quote the questionnaire in the document: “Jesus Christ reveals the mystery and vocation of the human person. How can the family be a privileged place for this to happen?”

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler will be the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative at this Assembly.

For more details see: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_doc_20140626_instr umentum-laboris-familia_en.html

 WORLD CONGRESS FOR MIGRANTS IN NOVEMBER

The Seventh World Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants will take place from 17 to 21 November under the title of Co-operation and Development in the Pastoral Care of Migrants. The Congress will concentrate on three topics: the diaspora, migrants as partners and the dignity of migrants. There will be representatives from all around the world so that plans of action can be a true expressions from those actively engaged in the pastoral care of migrants.

5 The Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative at this Congress is the Reverend Catherine Graham from the Anglican Refugee Migrant Network.

While researching this Editors saw news about a conference on a similar theme at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney in October. Details of the October conference can be seen at: http://www.acmro.catholic.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id= 27&Itemid=37

Concerns for the care of migrants are being shared around the world this autumn.

6. FAITH IN EUROPE: PROFESSOR DAVID MARTIN CONSIDERS WORLD WAR I

As advertised in July’s bulletin (no 79) the next Faith in Europe briefing meeting will be on Thursday 16 October on a World War One Centenary theme with Professor David Martin as guest speaker. The venue will be the Library at the Archbishop’s House, 150 St George’s Road, London SE1. There will also be opportunity on that day to visit the nearby Imperial War Museum.

For more details contact Faith in Europe Secretary Philip Walters on [email protected]

7. AECA CELEBRATION DINNER

The Anglican and Eastern Churches Association is celebrating its 150th Anniversary by holding a Sesquicentennial Dinner at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday 29 October in the presence of Anglican and Orthodox guests.

For more details apply to The Secretary of the AECA c/o The Old Deanery, Dean’s Court, London EC4V 5AA.

8. METROPOLITAN ANTHONY OF SOUROZH CENTENARY CONFERENCE

The Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh Foundation is holding a centenary conference in memory of Metropolitan Anthony Bloom on Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 November at King’s College London under the title borrowed from St Irenaeus of Lyons) “The Glory of God is a man fully alive”. Guest speakers will be Dr Rowan Williams (Cambridge), Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon ((Athens, Greece), Fr

6 Alexander Fostiropoulos (London), Brother Adalberto Mainardi (Bose, Italy), Dr Susanne Sklar (Wisconsin, USA), Dr Elisabeth Robson (Brighton), Costa Carras (Athens Greece) and Karin Greenhead (London).

The Conference will look at Metropolitan Anthony’s spiritual and theological vision and how this was inseparable from his rule of life. It will reflect on his example as pastor and shepherd who strove to live every word of the Gospel to the full in the every heart and turmoil of the modern world.

For more details contact email: [email protected]

Early applications are advised with a deadline of Wednesday 5 November.

9. ANNUAL CONSTANTINOPLE LECTURE

On Thursday 27 November Fr John Behr, Dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary, New York USA will giving the Annual Constantinople Lecture on the theme of “Take Back Death! Christian Witness in the Twenty – First Century”. The venue will be St Mellitus College, 24 Collingham Road, London SW5 OLX.

The event will open with Evening Prayer at 6:00pm with the Lecture following at 7:00pm.

Everyone is welcome. The event is being sponsored jointly by the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association and the Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius. For more information contact the General Secretary of the AECA Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

10. …AND FINALLY

ST PETER’S ROME VERSUS ARCHBISHOP’S XI: CRICKET MATCH OF THE YEAR

Forget the Tests, One Days and County Championship. The match of the year will crown the season on Friday 19 September at 4pm at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury. St Peter’s Cricket Club from the Vatican (captained by Fr Tony Currer) will play the Archbishop’s XI (captained by the Revd Jez Barnes).

The event is in aid of the Global Freedom Network which is supported by Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin.

For the St Peter’s team sheet see:

7 http://www.cultura.va/content/dam/cultura/image/dipartimenti/sport/cricketflyer2.jpg

For a photo of St Peter’s with Pope Francis and details about the games that the team have already played in England (including a Brighton match against another St Peter’s Club) during their tour see: http://www.cultura.va/content/cultura/en/dipartimenti/sport/risorse/cricket.html

The Church Times, an organiser of clerical cricket since 1951, is one of the sponsors of the match. Their 22 August issue has the team names for the Archbishop’s XI and other details.

There also details at the Archbishop’s website at: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5399/church-of-england-picks- cricket-team-to-face-vatican-first-xi

Material edited and distributed by the Council for Christian Unity, Church House, London Visit the CCU website at: http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/work-other-churches/ccu.aspx

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