Conference of European Churches

🇺🇦CEC delegation arrives to Ukraine amid high tensions, accompanying Ukrainian churches and people in solidarity, strengthening relations and dialogue for peace. Read here➿: https://ceceurope.org/cec-visits-ukraine-accompanying-churches-their-struggles-peace
Photos: Reformed Church in Transcarpathia

From 6-9 June, millions of Europeans will cast their vote in . The European churches have an important role to play in shaping the future of Europe. Learn more how CEC is engaging, on our new webpage👇🏽

EU elections 2024 | CEC Europe From 6-9 June this year, millions of Europeans will cast their vote in the European elections. Together, we will shape the future of Europe, and the participation of people of faith matters.

🎥Our board member María Mountraki from the Orthodox Church of Finland, speaks about churches’ stance on the war in Ukraine, use of religion in conflict and how CEC initiative brings churches together. Watch here👇

Pathways to Peace: European churches and the war in Ukraine In an interview, CEC Governing Board Member Maria Mountraki from the Orthodox Church of Finland speaks about churches’ stance on the war in Ukraine, use of r...

Our Programme Officer for Theology and Studies Katerina Pekridou contributed to discussion in an event hosted by the Comece - the Catholic Church in the EU - Commission on EU External Relations, speaking about the war in Ukraine and just peace.

CEC contributes reflections on war in Ukraine | CEC Europe CEC Programme Officer for Theology and Studies Ms Katerina Pekridou contributed to discussion in an event hosted by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) - Commission on EU Eternal Relations, held from 20 to 21 March 2024, in Brussels.

Spiritualities, Politics and Polities- Serbia

Orthodox Theologians and Practitioners from Bosnia, Croatia, Greece, Kenya, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, USA

Ecumenical Partners: Conference of European Churches All Africa Conference of Churches Council for World Mission

Together with our partner European organisations, we have issued a joint declaration ahead of the , affirming our commitment to work with the European institutions, MEP candidates and political parties to promote a positive European agenda that takes its inspiration from Christian values, strengthening Article 17 TFEU dialogue. Read through the link👇🏽➿Comece - the Catholic Church in the EU Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy Together4europe

Churches affirm their role in shaping Europe’s future ahead of EU elections | CEC Europe Heads of four European organisations, representing diverse Christian churches and entities, have issued a joint declaration ahead of the 2024 European elections, affirming their commitment to work together with the European institutions, MEP candidates and political parties to promote a positive Eur...

Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach has been appointed as our new general secretary! Hailing from Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland, Fischbach comes to CEC with extensive experience in theology, ecumenical relations, employment and social issues, and churches’ dialogue with European political institutions. The CEC Governing Board announced the decision today in a meeting in Hannover. Read here: https://ceceurope.org/rev-frank-dieter-fischbach-appointed-cec-general-secretary
Photo: EKD/Jens Schulze

Our President H.E. Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain shares a message of peace, joy and love this Easter to all churches and communities in Europe and beyond. Read here: https://ceceurope.org/cec-easter-message-may-peace-joy-and-love-shine-empty-tomb

We collaborate closely with our ecumenical partner Comece - the Catholic Church in the EU for Article 17 Dialogue with the EU. Communications is crucial in highlighting our joint collaboration, and issues that concern European churches. Cooperation between communication desks of CEC and COMECE spans over years, engaging our members and media. Photo: Left to right COMECE Press Office Manager Alessandro Di Maio and CEC Communication Officer Naveen Qayyum in Brussels.

Our partner Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe is holding an event in Malaga from 3-9 June, exploring church as a safer space. Young adults age 18-30 years from Europe are invited to apply ‼️

A joint working group from CEC and the Catholic Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) met in Lodz to revise the Charta Œcumenica.

Ecumenical group meets to revise Charta Œcumenica | CEC Europe A joint working group from the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Catholic Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) met from 1 to 3 March in Lodz, Poland to update and revise the ecumenical Charta Œcumenica document.

“The war will end sooner or later, and we need to be ready to deal with the consequences.” Dr Pavlo Smytsnyuk from Ukraine speaks about CEC initiative Pathways to Peace. Watch here 👇

Pathways to Peace: Realising peace in Ukraine Interview with Dr Pavlo Smytsnyuk from Ukraine, a member of the Steering Group and a Mary Seeger O’Boyle Associate Research Scholar at the Seeger Center for ...

As we approach the second year of Russia’s war on Ukraine, let us continue to pray for peace and reconciliation 🙏🏼🕊️

God of all,
with alarm and concern we bring before you
the war in Ukraine.

In a world you made for peace and flourishing,
we lament the use of armed force.

We mourn every casualty of this conflict,
every precious life extinguished by war.
We pray for comfort for those who grieve
and those who are fearful.

Hear our longing that leaders and nations
will honour the worth of all people
by having the courage to resolve conflict through dialogue.

May all our human failings be transformed
by your wonderful grace and goodness.

We ask this in the name of Christ,
the author of peace and sustainer of Creation.

Source: The Baptist Union https://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/631030/Prayers_for_Ukraine.aspx

Photo: Ulf Tjärnström/CEC

An introduction to CEC, and its current focus on the Pathways to Peace Initiative, were broached in a meeting between CEC staff and representatives of the Catholic church and media agencies. We received the delegation led by Austrian Bishop Ägidius Zsifkovics at CEC office in Brussels. Learn more👇

Catholic partners and media learn about CEC | CEC Europe An introduction to the work and history of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), and its current focus on the Pathways to Peace Initiative, were broached in a meeting between CEC staff and representatives of the Catholic church and media agencies.

Christian values are pertinent for Europe’s future. Especially in consideration of the upcoming European elections in June 2024. Read through the link about the gathering of European church and EU representatives discussing the topic.👇
Comece - the Catholic Church in the EU
Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy

Christian values to influence European elections | CEC Europe The significance of Christian values for Europe’s future, especially in consideration of the upcoming European elections in June 2024, was highlighted by the representatives of the European churches, EU officials, ecumenical organisations and Catholic NGOs working with the EU. 

Estonian Convention Bureau together with the City of Tallinn nominated our 2023 General Assembly to be an inspiring and successful event. Congratulations to our former Estonian colleagues Triin Käpp and Eleri Soidla who received the honour.

Significance of the 2024 European elections, and the role of churches in addressing contemporary challenges and encouraging voter engagement, was highlighted by Dr Hillie van de Streek, representing CEC at the Article 17 Dialogue Seminar. Read here👇

European churches contribute to Article 17 Dialogue Seminar | CEC Europe The significance of the 2024 European elections, and the role of churches in addressing contemporary challenges and encouraging voter engagement, was highlighted by Dr Hillie van de Streek, representing the Conference of European Churches (CEC) at the Article 17 TFEU Dialogue Seminar.

🎥Our President Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain delivers a lecture on “Does Europe need religion?” hosted by the Hellenic Observatory, The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE and LSE Faith Centre. Watch here👇

Does Europe need religion?

Our partner WSCF Europe is calling for young authors to contribute articles on the topic of eco-justice and climate advocacy for the upcoming issue of their magazine Mozaik. Learn more 👇

🎥Our Vice-President Rev. Frank Kopania from Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland highlights the need to build bridges in context of the war in Ukraine, in hope for a peaceful Europe. Watch here👇

Pathways to Peace: Churches Building Bridges

Justice, peace and reconciliation in Ukraine is the focus of our Initiative. The programme is developed further by a Steering Group in a hybrid meeting held in Brussels to promote dialogue and action. Read more: https://ceceurope.org/cec-initiative-pathways-peace-moves-forward

Our delegation met with MEP Witold Waszczykowski, chair of the EP's Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee. The delegation comprising of CEC staff and steering group for CEC initiative , led by CEC President Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, had discussion about Ukraine, peace, the role of churches and European Institutions.

Learn more about Pathways to Peace: https://ceceurope.org/church-response-to-ukraine/

Our Programme Officer for Theology and Studies Katerina Pekridou delivered a lecture on the role of religion in peace building and gave an introduction to CEC initiative Pathways to Peace at the Stockholm School of Theology in Sweden. Learn more➿: https://ceceurope.org/church-response-to-ukraine/

Our Programme Officer for Theology and Studies Katerina Pekridou is in Sweden! She introduced CEC initiative Pathways to Peace in a meeting of the Christian Council of Sweden. Learn more👇🏽

How can churches prepare for peace? Our Vice-President Rt Rev. Dr Dagmar Winter from The Church of England speaks about Russian war on Ukraine and CEC initiative Pathways to Peace. Watch here👇

Pathways to Peace: Preparing for Peace CEC Vice-President Rt Rev. Dr Dagmar Winter from the Church of England speaks about the Russian war on Ukraine and the role of CEC initiative Pathways to Pea...

For the our Programme Officer for Theology and Studies Katerina Pekridou reflected on the contemporary challenges of ecumenism in a roundtable organised by the Chapel for Europe in Brussels. Watch here👇

Round Table: The challenges of Ecumenism today Roundtable in English.Round table: The challenges of Ecumenism today.In the framework of the week for Christian unity ‘You shall love the Lord your God…and y...

CEC and Comece - the Catholic Church in the EU delegation met with Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the EU to discuss the priorities of the Belgian EU Presidency. Read more👇

Belgian EU Presidency: European churches meet with Ambassador Willem van de Voorde | CEC Europe An ecumenical delegation representing the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) met with Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the EU, on 18 January 2024, in Brussels, to discuss the pri...

CEC highlights the concerns of European churches in European Commission's high level meeting with religious leaders in Brussels hosted by Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, in-charge of promoting our European Way of Life. Click the link to watch the video from the meeting and stay tuned to learn more: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-251733
Photos: © European Union, 2024

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