The Conference of European Churches last week began operating under a new but controversial constitution that includes moving its original offices from Geneva to Brussels to improve ties with the European Union and between denominations.
Following a sometimes tense 14th Assembly of the CEC in Hungary’s capital Budapest, delegates approved the constitution “to help the European Churches to share their spiritual life, to strengthen their common witness and service, and to promote the unity of the Church and peace in the world”.
Anglican Bishop of Guildford, England, Christopher Hill, was elected as president of the CEC to lead the group under the new constitution.
The document came after Hungary”s Human Resources Minister Zolt‚àö¬∞n Balog, a Reformed pastor, warned that “relations among the churches seem to have estranged”, 20 years after the collapse of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe “just as the enthusiasm they exhibited in 1989 has vanished, too.”
Under Communism, especially devoted Christians who openly expressed their faith or were involved in Bible teaching to youngsters, could face persecution in Hungary and other Soviet satellite states. Balog said it was also “regrettable” that in this new era not enough has been done to “renew Europe on the basis of Christian values.”
He was a key speaker during the 3rd to 8th July assembly, where a new constitution was adopted by a vote of 160 to seven, with seven abstentions, organisers said.
CEC’s new document will impact its members, including 115 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all European countries, and 40 associated organisations.
Balog said it was “outstanding” that representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, who are not yet members, attended the CEC Assembly as “observers”.
