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"We Seek to Foster a Living Ecumenism"

EKD Council chairperson meets with the chairman of the German Bishops Conference

June 11, 2010

Church president Nikolaus Schneider and Archbishop Dr Robert Zollitsch, chairman of the German Bishops Conference, met today for a lengthy exchange of view in St. Peter near Freiburg, Germany.

Their conversation focused on topical questions from the churches. Schneider gave information about Protestant church activities during the 2007-2017 Luther/Reformation decade. Archbishop Robert Zollitsch reported on the efforts of the German bishops to investigate and prevent sexual violence against minors. Both Schneider and Zollitsch gave a positive assessment of the good atmosphere at the 2nd Ecumenical Kirchentag in Munich: "It was impressive to see the enthusiastic participation of young people and the way their praying and singing connected the generations. We are looking forward to the Protestant Kirchentag in Dresden in 2011 and the Katholikentag in Mannheim in 2012, both of which intend to keep the experiences of Munich alive."

Schneider and Zollitsch also talked about the current political challenges in Germany: "The churches have to engage with the economic and social issues of the day. That is why we have recently commented publicly about the federal government's austerity program. It is important to us to address our responsibility toward particularly vulnerable members of society and future generations."

Zollitsch praised the Protestant church's commemorative events around the 450th anniversary of Melanchthon's death in April 2010: "I gained a sense that ecumenism is alive and well in our parishes. We need such anniversaries in order to remember the past, which teaches us to seek the path of unity." With respect to the way Melanchthon acted as a mediator in disputes, Schneider added: "We understand Melanchthon as a precursor of our ecumenical fellowship. Maintaining clear positions, presenting arguments in a spirit of mediation and acting towards each other like brothers and sisters-that is also model for our ecumenical journey where Melanchthon showed us the way."

In their conversation, Schneider and Zollitsch underlined their resolve to continue traveling the road of ecumenism: "We will keep ecumenism alive. Above all, we can still learn a great deal from one another. Past misunderstandings have been cleared up and we can now look to the future."

Hanover, 11 June 2010

Press Office of the EKD
Reinhard Mawick