CHURCH OF ENGLAND COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY CHURCH HOUSE LONDON

EUROPEAN BULLETIN – No 96

November 2016

CONTENTS

1. Introduction 2. Historic commemoration of the Reformation in 3. Reformation Day: Bishop Nick Baines at Erfurt Monastery 4. New Taizé Publications 5. Ecumenical Patriarch: Survival of God’s creation is at stake 6. Paris one year on: Inter faith statement on climate change 7. Conference for Anglican – Lutheran Society 8. Sheilagh Kesting and Elspeth Davey: tributes to two leading ecumenists 9. A Vision of Europe: Archbishop Justin speech in Paris

1. INTRODUCTION

Dear Bulletin Readers

Reformation Anniversary and other themes in this bulletin

At the end of October the Reformation Anniversary commemorations officially started with a remarkable gathering in Lund involving Pope Francis and LWF President Dr Munib Youman. At the same time Bp Nick Baines was in Erfurt where Martin Luther served as an Augustinian monk. We also hear about new Taizé publications, a warning from the Ecumenical Patriarch about the survival of God’s creation, an inter –faith statement on climate change, the Anglican – Lutheran Society conference in Visby during the summer and finally a vision of Europe in the Twenty First Century outlined by Archbishop in a speech in Paris.

CCU joins in tributes paid to leading ecumenists from Scotland: Sheilagh Kesting and Elspeth Davey. Many readers will also have enjoyed meeting and working with them in a variety of settings over the years.

We hope you enjoy the items in this bulletin.

Welcome to Revd Dr Will Adam

Exciting times as the Council of Christian Unity looks forward to welcoming a new colleague. Revd Dr Will Adam will begin work in the New Year as Ecumenical

1 Advisor to the and Ecumenical Officer in the CCU. He was a C of E delegate to the World Council of Churches’ Assembly in Harare, a Diocesan Ecumenical Officer with responsibility for a Meissen link in Germany and chair of his local Churches Together group. He is a member of the International Colloquium of Anglican and Roman Catholic Canon Lawyers.

With all good wishes,

Francis Bassett Assistant Secretary Council for Christian Unity

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. Individual views expressed in blogs, reports or communiques are not necessarily the views of the editors.

2. HISTORIC JOINT COMMEMORATION OF THE REFORMATION IN LUND CATHEDRAL (LWI) – Pope Francis and the General Secretary of The Lutheran World Federation Rev. Dr Martin Junge jointly preached on the gospel of the true vine (John 15:1-5) during the Common Prayer of the Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation in Lund, on Monday 31 October. They spoke about the unity in Christ that Lutherans and Catholics have together and the opportunities for joint witness in a world that needs the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ in words and actions. “Now in the context of the commemoration of the Reformation of 1517, we have a new opportunity to accept a common path, one that has taken shape over the past fifty years in the ecumenical dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church,” Pope Francis stated in his sermon, adding: “We have the opportunity to mend a critical moment of our history by moving beyond the controversies and disagreements that have often prevented us from understanding one another.” "As we see Jesus among us, we have also started to see each other anew. We acknowledge that there is much more that unites us than that which separates us. We are branches of the same vine. We are one in Baptism. This is why we are here at this joint commemoration: to rediscover who we are in Christ," said General Secretary Junge in his sermon, calling upon Catholics and Lutherans “to move away from a past overshadowed by conflict and division and to walk the paths of communion.” This historic event—the first Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation at the global level—was witnessed by 450 ecumenical guests in Lund Cathedral, Sweden, as well as the 10,000 visitors in Malmö Arena and television viewers worldwide. Pope Francis co-hosted the event with LWF President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan and General Secretary Junge. The Common Prayer in Lund Cathedral focused on thanksgiving, repentance and a commitment to joint witness.

2 During the church service a Joint Statement was signed which embraces communion as the common future of Lutherans and Catholics. A colorful cross created for the event by Salvadoran artist Christian Chavarria Ayala visualized the Triune God’s creative, reconciling and sanctifying work. Opening the service Archbishop Antje Jackelén of the , welcomed the international guests: “We celebrate the great promises of Christian faith.” Bishop Anders Arborelius representing the other local church, added: “We hope, we pray, and we long for that perfect visible unity that can persuade the world that the Risen Lord is alive and at work among us.” During thanksgiving Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, stated: “Catholics and Lutherans embrace each other as sisters and brothers in the Lord. Together they rejoice in the truly Christian gifts that they both have received and rediscovered in various ways through the renewal and impulses of the Reformation.” Bishop Younan thanked God “for the proclamation of the gospel that occurred during the Reformation and that since then has strengthened countless people to live lives of faith in Jesus Christ.” A powerful moment was the sharing of the sign of peace during the prayer. Pope Francis called for peace with the words “let the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you are called to peace.” This was followed by LWF President Younan’s invitation to those assisting in the service, participants in the Lund cathedral and those present in Malmö Arena to offer each other a “sign of reconciliation and peace.” The affirmation of five imperatives formulated in the report From Conflict to Communion was symbolized by the lighting of a candle once each one had been read. The five Imperatives commit Lutherans and Catholics to strengthen what is held in common, to transformation by the encounter with the other and by the mutual witness of faith, to seeking visible unity through concrete steps, to rediscovering the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ for our time and to joint witness in proclamation and service to the world. As a sign that Catholics and Lutherans were committed to taking a further step towards the unity into which God calls the church, Pope Francis and LWF President Younan signed a Joint Statement. It calls on Lutheran and Catholic parishes and communities to be “bold and creative, joyful and hopeful in their commitment to continue the great journey ahead of us.” The prayer service in Lund Cathedral continued in Malmö Arena, affirming the common witness and service of Catholics and Lutherans to people in need. The LWF World Service and Caritas Internationalis signed a Declaration of Intent highlighting their global engagement as an expression of their common faith in God. Information based on post at:

https://www.lutheranworld.org/news/press-release-rediscovering-who-we-are- christ

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3. REFORMATION DAY: BISHOP NICK BAINES AT ERFURT MONASTERY

At the same time as Lund Gathering the Bishop of , the Rt Revd Nick Baines, was in Erfurt Monastery, where Martin Luther served as an Augustinian monk before nailing his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. Bishop Nick’s sermon which quoted from Deuteronomy Chapter Twenty Six, referred to God delivering the Israelites out of slavery and their subsequent forgetting of that rescue. Drawing a parallel with today’s world he said: “if we forget our own history, we cannot know who we are. We lose our identity. And we cannot shape our common future unless we acknowledge our common past” “If the Church is to fulfil its mission, it must learn from the bad memories and build on the good. Today we need to meet people where they really are, not where we want them to be, and speak in a language that they can understand. “

Bishop Nick paid tribute to Martin Luther’s work in opening the Bible for future generations to learn about the love and grace of God as described in the Old and New Testaments.

The German text of Bishop Nick’s sermon can be found on his blog at: https://nickbaines.wordpress.com/2016

Gavin Drake’s vivid article from Lund (accompanied by photos) on page 11 of Sthe 4 November edition of the “” was a major source of information for this item and helped with information for the previous item about events in Sweden.

4. NEW TAIZÉ PUBLICATIONS

The Taizé Press has announced two publications from the colloquia held in the summer of 2015.

2015 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the Taizé Community, Brother Roger, and the tenth anniversary of his death. For the two colloquia contributors were brought from across the world to reflect on Brother Roger’s influence on theology and on religious life. Papers delivered have now been published in English and French editions, and represent an essential reference for all research on questions of ecumenism, community life, ecclesiology and the history of the Taizé Community. They are an important addition to the collections of all seminary and university libraries.

The two new volumes are:

4 Brother Roger’s Contribution to Theological Thought from the 31 August – 5 September colloquium has the contributions of Cardinal Walter Kasper, , Laurent Schlumberger (president of the United Protestant Church of France), Andrej Cilerdzic (bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church), Dorothea Sattler (Germany), Karen Scott (USA), Constantin Sigov (Ukraine) and thirteen others. The Relevance of a Monastic or Religious Vocation from the 5 – 12 July 2015 colloquium ahs the contributions of Anba Thomas (bishop of the Coptic Church, Egypt), Adolfo Nicolás (superior general of the Society of Jesus), Mother Iakovi (Igumenia of the Orthodox Monastery of St John the Precursor, Akritochori, Greece), Sister Pierette (prioress of the Community of Grandchamp, Switzerland), Michael Perry (minister general of the (Franciscan) Friars Minor), Bruno Cadoré (master general of the (Dominican) Order of Preachers), Olivier Quernadel (abbot of Citreaux, France) and thirteen others.

To order online go to: http://www.taize.fr/en_article20905.html

5. ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH: SURVIVAL OF GOD’S CREATION IS AT STAKE

©Ivars Kupcis/WCC

17 November 2016 We have come a long way but have made little progress, stated Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, in his message to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), referring to 22 years of UN conventions as an unacceptably long period to respond to the environmental crisis. The UN climate change conference is, in some ways, occasion for celebration that the world’s nations responded to the urgent call in Paris to collaboratively address and confidently agree on the agenda that lies before them, stated Bartholomew I.

5 However, the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) in many ways is also a painful reminder that 197 countries have ratified a convention enforced after the Rio Earth Summit of 1992 only now. “For twenty-two years, then, the world’s leading authorities and politicians have fundamentally agreed on the problems of global climate change and have held endless consultations and high-level conversations on something that requires practical measures and tangible action. Twenty-two years, however, is an unacceptably long period to respond to the environmental crisis, especially when we are conscious of its intimate and inseparable connections to global poverty, migration and unrest”, stated Bartholomew I. After 22 years, it is finally time – and long overdue – for all of us to discern the human faces impacted by our ecological sins, noted Bartholomew I, for it is human beings – all of us, but especially the “least” and the most vulnerable or marginalized among us – who are irreversibly impacted. “How, then, can any nation justify the suffering of its people? How can any industry defend the exploitation of its customer? Unless we all perceive in our attitudes and actions, as in our deliberations and decisions, the faces of our own children – in the present and in future generations – then we shall continue to prolong and procrastinate the development of any solution”. In a message delivered to the UNFCCC on 16 November, Bartholomew I wrote: “What price are we prepared to pay for profit? Or how many lives are we willing to sacrifice for material or financial gain? And at what cost would we forfeit or forestall the survival of God’s creation? It is our humble, yet bold prayer that all parties at the COP22 will recognize and respond to the high stakes involved in climate change.” The statement of Bartholomew I was received by James Grabert, UNFCCC Sustainable Development Mechanisms coordinator. Although the Paris agreement provides the blueprint for national contributions and the tools for international support and cooperation, all of us have the opportunity to take action, said Grabert. “The Paris agreement is ours to implement – as individuals and as a society as a whole. We welcome this message today – it reminds us of the need to take action now and to implement what we have agreed, addressing humanity’s needs”. Details from: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/ecumenical-patriarch-survival-of- god2019s-creation-is-at-stake

6. PARIS ONE YEAR ON: INTER – FAITH STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE Just under one year ago the long-negotiated Paris Agreement was adopted by 195 countries. Last week it came into effect, marking a new era of coordinated global action in the fight against climate change. In late November Marrakech (Morocco) at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22), parties to the agreement focused on action to set the agreement in motion, especially relating to adaptation, dealing with loss and damages, and

6 capacity building among non-state actors. CEC Study Secretary and European Christian Environmental Network Secretary Peter Pavlovic is in Marrakech as part of a World Council of Churches delegation. Among the religious and civil society actions planned for COP22 was the handover of an interfaith statement on climate change on Thursday 10 November. The statement made a number of appeals to the international community, including a shifting of funds from fossil fuels to renewables and for a robust consideration of human rights, including increased attention to the rights of indigenous peoples, gender equality, and food security. The statement also highlighted the historic inspirational role religious communities have played in times of transformation, “We must commit to new ways of living that honour the dynamic relationships between all forms of life.” The religious leaders also appealed o world leaders and faith communities alike to embrace change that will protect the planet, including the divestment from fossil fuels and a just transition to renewable energy. CEC General Secretary Fr Heikki Huttunen and President Rt Revd Christopher Hill KCVO, DD were among the high-level endorsers of the interfaith statement. “The signing of the interfaith statement in the hinterland between the South and Europe reminds us that no country is ‘an island’ just to itself. We are all together, nations and faiths, breathe the same air, eat the same fruits of the earth, drink of one global cup of water,” remarked Bishop Christopher . “As churches, we are part of this and continue to pray and work with the Paris Agreement, through Marrakech and beyond.” “The common efforts of humanity to slow down climate change and limit its consequences are day by day more indispensable. This consciousness helps us to see each other as sisters and brothers in common humanity, over and beyond our fears, alienations and enemy images,” remarked Fr Heikki. “This is a spiritual exercise which involves repentance, a change of mind and actions, a commitment for justice towards all created beings. Amidst so many alarming news about wars and threats of violence, the message from Marrakesh in one of hope and encouragement.” Details gathered from CEC website at http://www.ceceurope.org/3812-2/

7. VISBY CONFERENCE FOR ANGLICAN – LUTHERAN SOCIETY

The Anglican- Lutheran Society met in Visby from 19 to 23 August. The October issue of the Society’s Journal “The Window” gives a many sided account of that gathering.

Visby is on the island of . The rich history of Gotland and the role of Christianity in the diocese created there was recounted for the gathering of 63 people by Richard Wottle, Stiftsprost in the Diocese and Vice – Chair of the Society of Gotlandic Church History. This included a phase in medieval times when Gotland was a republic of free peasants. Later it became a province of Denmark and was later, in the 17th Century gained by Sweden. There is written evidence of Christianity

7 arriving by the 11th Century. 94 parish churches (built and paid for by the peasants) were built in the 12th century and 92 of these are still in use. Gotland today is dynamic with connections both to the traditional agricultural society and to the trans – national movements of today.

The Diocese of Visby is by far the smallest in the Church of Sweden but it is also the diocese for 40 or so Swedish parishes abroad. The Bishop of Visby divides his time between Gotland and the rest of the world. This has helped Visby to be a centre for international conferences. The “Theobalt Conferences” of the last thirty years have brought together Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions around the Baltic Sea. The next conference will be in Visby in 2018 with a smaller one in Stettin in Poland in January 2017.

Presentations to the Conference included Elisa Zikmane (Pastor of the Latvian Church Abroad working in London) on Women in Ministry in the Latvian Lutheran Church and Sally Barnes on the Inclusive Church organisation founded 20 years ago. Bishop preached at the Sunday Mass at Visby Cathedral on a Reformation Then and Now theme. Bishop Johan Dalman spoke about Porvoo referring to the way it helped and broadened the understanding of a wide range of people in the churches. Anna Norman – Walker, Canon Chancellor of Exeter Cathedral highlighted the importance of creative and contemplative worship that connects with young people. Referring to fresh expressions in liturgy Canon Anna referred to German theologian Helmut Thielike saying “The Gospel is always being forwarded to a new address because the recipient is repeatedly changing his place of residence.” The Holy Ground services at Exeter Cathedral offer space for exploring Christian worship and conversations on faith topics can bring in contributions from academics, artists, campaigners and representatives of Non – Governmental Organisations and charities. Eberhard Tiefensee, Professor of Philosophy in the University of Erfurt’s Faculty of Catholic Theology spoke about the numerical decline of Protestantism in Eastern Germany and the modern phenomenon of Religious Indifference (as opposed to self – proclaimed religious belief or non – belief).

Drawing out themes from the conference Bishop Jonas Jonson ( a former Assistant General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation) spoke about inspiration, opportunities and difficulties at the present time and offered a vision for the future: “We are not at the end of the Christian era in Europe. Past centuries of continued reformation have been a preparation for the Church in Europe to fulfil its calling in succeeding ages. Medieval churches in this island, constructed by a very small community of neighbours on their own initiative, all tell the Bible story on their walls and in the rites and rituals performed in them. Central to each is the altar, the Holy Eucharist where the harvest and prayers, the illness and poverty, life and death – the totality of life – is brought to God and blessed by Christ. We have seen the past as a preparation for the future, and we also know that in celebrating the Eucharist the future comes to us and creates the present.

This is the start of a new reformation of discovering once again the great gifts of God graciously given to us all in order that we may grow in the likeness of Christ in this time and in this world. It is a terribly difficult time of transition from having been majority Churches, national Churches, established Churches and resourceful Churches

8 to becoming Eucharistic minorities. But we shall serve God and serve people by being authentic Eucharistic Christians.”

For further information about the Conference and the Society visit the ALS website at: www.anglican-lutheran-society.org.uk

8. SHEILAGH KESTING AND ELSPETH DAVEY: TRIBUTES TO TWO LEADING ECUMENISTS Following a 6-November ceremony where recently retired Very Rev. Dr Sheilagh Kesting was “knighted”, as Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Francis, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit now extends congratulations to Kesting, a long-standing colleague and ecumenist from the Church of Scotland. "For many years, Sheilagh has served the ecumenical movement with tremendous knowledge, dedication and warmth,” says Tveit. “Her ability to build relationships is reflected in this prestigious honour, and she has made a lasting impact within the WCC fellowship as well as other ecumenical bodies.” Sheilagh received the award, which is equivalent to papal “knighthood” and rarely awarded to non-Catholics, from Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews & Edinburgh. “This recognition by the Roman Catholic Church demonstrates the ever deepening bonds of connection between churches of different confessional traditions, and is a testimony to Sheilagh’s great contribution to that end,” continues Tveit. “I am grateful for her gracious manner of leadership and wish her all the best in her retirement." The ecumenical movement in Scotland will shortly feel the loss also of another ecumenical officer, Elspeth Davey of the Scottish Episcopal Church, who retires at the end of this year. In thanking her, Tveit notes in particular her contribution to the Porvoo full communion agreement between Anglican and Lutheran churches in the Nordic countries. "These bilateral relationships between member churches strengthen the fellowship of churches in many ways and offer inspiration in working through theological differences, to find ways to be in mission and ministry together.” “Elspeth has enriched the work of the WCC in many ways, and we will miss her wisdom and collegial presence in our meetings," said Tveit. Both Sheilagh and Elspeth have been active members of the WCC's Ecumenical Officers Network, which consists of member church representatives with particular responsibility for ecumenical relations. The network meets every two years, and serves as a mutually-supportive global network of ecumenists. Details from WCC website at:

9 https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-extends-gratitude- congratulates-dame-sheilagh

9. A VISION OF EUROPE: ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN SPEECH IN PARIS

On Thursday 17 November Archbishop visited Paris as guest of the Institut Catholique de Paris and was awarded an honorary doctorate as part of their colloquium on ‘The Common Good’. During his visit there was a celebration of Sung Evensong at the university church of St Joseph des Carmes at which the Archbishop presided an preached. His address set a vision for a catholic Europe in the 21st Century looking to the values of the founding fathers of the European Project who were greatly influenced by Catholic Social Teaching. Justin detailed some building block for this: Subsidiarity; Solidarity; Gratuity (linking to Pope Francis’ vision of “Grace in Action” ); and Creativity. This vision would be “unwaveringly committed to the common good and to the flourishing of all.” Archbishop Justin’s speech can be viewed at his website: www.archbishopofcanterbury.org

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 and visit the Latest News page

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