EKD Press Releases

Church delegates from all over Europe meet in Lyon

13th Assembly of the Conference of European Churches

July 13, 2009

Approximately 750 representatives of Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and Old Catholic churches met from 15 to 21 July in Lyon, France for the 13th Assembly of the Conference European Churches (CEC). The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) was also represented with a delegation, headed by EKD Bishop Martin Schindehütte, who is the bishop responsible for foreign relations. Bishop Wolfgang Huber, EKD Council Chair, was present at the CEC Assembly on 16 and 17 July.

Besides celebrations of the 50th anniversary of CEC, the agenda included a stocktaking of the work in the last six years since Trondheim, Norway and deliberations on a new orientation for CEC. The EKD had submitted a working paper on that topic for discussion in Lyon. The theme of the Lyon Assembly is: "Called to one hope in Christ".

"The churches have played an inestimable role in the process of uniting Europe," said Bishop Martin Schindehütte. "The Iron Curtain between East and West was also overcome through the efforts of the churches, the prayers of people and the peaceful resistance of Christians." He was very grateful for the role of CEC during the division of Europe. Meanwhile the Churches in Europe face new challenges. "It is our task to make the churches' witness in the European Union and in the whole of Europe really audible: in the cultural, social and political sphere."

Hanover, 13 July 2009

EKD Press Office
Silke Römhild