EKD Press Releases
Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw Names Wolfgang Huber Doctor Honoris Causa
Recognition of his Contribution to Christian Theology and Ethical Discourse
November 24, 2008
On Tuesday 25 November, the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw conferred on the chairperson of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) Bishop Wolfgang Huber an honorary doctorate degree. When conferring the degree, the rector Archbishop Jeremiasz Jan Anchimiuk said that in this way the institution of higher learning acknowledged Huber's meritorious contribution to Christian theology, particularly to the development of systematic theology and ethical discourse. The Council chairperson was also honored for his work within churches and the ecumenical family "which was characterized by openness to dialogue and the preservation of individual theological identities."
Bishop Huber, speaking at the ceremony in Warsaw, also saw in the awarding of this honorary doctor's degree an expression of the close relations between the churches in Poland and Germany. The contribution of these two neighbors, Poland and Germany, to peace and reconciliation in Europe remains a persistent task. In this regard, churches in both countries have a role of paramount importance to play."
As the twentieth anniversary of the political changes of 1989 and 1990 in Europe approaches, the EKD Council chairperson called for greater awareness of the special role of churches in this process. To an equal extent in Germany and Poland, "the changes, for which Gorbachev's policy of glasnost and perestroika, on one hand, and the action of the independent Polish trade union Solidarnosc, on the other, had a decisive impact, were not only acknowledged by the churches, but also embraced and accompanied by them."
Because of these changes, the churches' responsibility for peace has moved into a new perspective, the bishop from Berlin went on to say. Peace in Europe is facing new threats. The Council of the EKD's "Memorandum on Peace" in 2007 takes up this responsibility and calls for the emergence of a new Christian perspective on the ethics of peace, the underlying principles of which are as simple as they are persuasive: Whoever wants peace must prepare peace." "Just peace" is both the guiding principle and the specific goal of the Christian peace ethic. Universal and indivisible human rights, transnational social justice, the facilitation of cultural diversity and the institution of the rule of peace as an integral part of the rule of law are essential for the building of a just peace.
Hanover, 24 November 2008
Press Office of the EKD
Silke Römhild