CHURCH OF ENGLAND
COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
CHURCH HOUSE LONDON
EUROPEAN BULLETIN – No 72
February 2013
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction
Pope Benedict – tributes from C of E leaders
Anglican Lutheran Society Saturday 9 March
News from CEC
House of Lord Europe Debates: speech by the Bishops of Wakefield and
Worcester
6. Faith in Europe Seminar: what has the EU done for us?
7. Canterbury Arras link
8. Our Man in Brussels: news from Gary Wilton
9. And finally….
A Ballade honouring sporting and ecumenical endeavour
1.
INTRODUCTION
Dear Bulletin Readers,
While preparing this bulletin we have received the surprise news about Pope
Benedict’s intention to resign so the first item records some of the tributes paid from
Church of England leaders.
This Bulletin also looks across at our links (thanks to a message from founder editor
Canon Charles Hill), goes to the House of Lords to hear Bishops Stephen Platten and
John Inge on Europe matters, has the latest news from Gary Wilton in Brussels and
ends with a Ballade (in the strict verse form pioneered by Villon and Chaucer) linking
the Reuilly conversations with recent sporting endeavour. In the Faith in Europe item
the Monty Python meets the Romans question is asked “What has the EU done for
us?”.
I hope you enjoy these items. We are always delighted to have your links and events
news.
With all good wishes from the CCU,
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Leslie Nathaniel
CCU European Secretary and
Archbishop of Canterbury’s
Deputy Secretary for
Ecumenical Affairs
[email protected]
Francis Bassett
Assistant Secretary CCU
[email protected]
The Bulletin is sent out on a mailing list: Please advise us if your email address
changes, or if you do not wish to receive the Bulletin. CCU is not responsible for the
content of external web sites mentioned in this Bulletin.
2. POPE BENEDICT XVI – TRIBUTES FROM C OF E LEADERS
On receiving the surprise news about a decision to resign at the end of February
Church of England leaders paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, said:
“In his visit to the United Kingdom, Pope Benedict showed us all something of what
the vocation of the See of Rome can mean in practice – a witness to the universal
scope of the gospel and a messenger of hope at a time when Christian faith is being
called into question. In his teaching and writing he has brought a remarkable and
creative theological mind to bear on the issues of the day. We who belong to other
Christian families gladly acknowledge the importance of this witness and join with
our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in thanking God for the inspiration and
challenge of Pope Benedict’s ministry.”
To read his full statement go to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s website or the
following link:
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/5017/a-message-from-thearchbishop-of-canterbury-on-pope-benedicts-resignation
The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd John Sentamu said
"We should remember Pope Benedict communicated the revelation of God in a
characteristic way as a true successor of St Peter. He was unafraid to proclaim the
Gospel and challenge a culture that is so self-referential, managing to lift our eyes to
God's glory.”
To read his full statement go to the Archbishop of York’s website or the following
link:
http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2818/statement-regarding-theresignation-of-pope-benedict-xvi
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http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2818/statement-regarding-theresignation-of-pope-benedict-xvi
The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Christopher Hill, who chairs the Church of
England’s Council for Christian Unity highlighted the Pope’s witness to faith,
theological gifts, dedication to the goal of unity between the Churches of the Anglican
Communion and the Roman Catholic Church and message to Britain during his 2010
visit. To read his full statement go to the Diocese of Guildford’s website or the
following link:
http://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/assets/downloads/lifeandfaith/Bishop%27s%20Serm
ons/Bishop%20C%20on%20Pope%27s%20retirement.pdf
Speaking in the House of Lords the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge said
on Monday 11 February: “We give thanks for the outstanding contribution that he has
made to the common good as well as to the welfare of the church during a long and
distinguished ministry.”
The Hansard link is:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/1302110001.htm#1302113000431
3.
ANGLICAN LUTHERAN SOCIETY EVENT SATURDAY 9 MARCH
On Saturday 9 March the Anglican-Lutheran Society is hosting a conference in
London entitled “Christian Community: Being and Acting” in which Dr Peta Dunstan
from the University of Cambridge and Dr Dominik Klenk (former Prior of the
“Offensive junger Christen” based in Reichelsheim, Germany) will examine the
alternative forms of Christian community that are springing up in Europe and many
other places in the world. While some of these only last a short time others like the
Bruderhof and Offensive Junger Christen in Germany, Taize in France and Iona
Community in Scotland have become firmly established.
Considering a range of these communities will help those rooted in Anglican and
Lutheran traditions to learn from them.
The conference will take place at the Lumen Centre, 88 Tavistock Place, London
WC1H 9RT beginning with Martin Luther’s “Deutsche Messe” at 11:30am, lunch at
12:30 pm and the consultation starting 1:30 pm finishing with tea at 4pm. The cost is
#15 including refreshments.
Enquiries to Mrs Helen Harding at email:
[email protected]
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4.
NEWS FROM CEC
EUROPE AND FAMILY POLICY
The Church and Society Commission has adopted the “Europe and Family Policy”
document which describes the differentiated approach of churches in Europe towards
the variety of family circumstances and policy in Europe. Based on biblical witness
and the conviction of the importance of family for the individual and society, the
documents describes challenges such as material security, active inclusion, tax policy,
ways of promoting the best interests of the child, inter-generational justice, caring for
older people and defining the ways that the churches can support. “Europe and
Family Policy” will help churches to deepen their own discussions and contributed to
political debates in Europe.
STRENGTHENING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
The CEC Churches in Dialogue Commission and WCC Ecumenical Theological
Education programme had joined in several initiatives to strengthen theological
education in Easter Europe particularly in relation to Orthodox churches. Joint
preparations between CEC and Volos Theological Academy began in 2011. A
working party is working on a handbook to be published in the near future.
5. HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATES ON EUROPE AND THE EU BUDGET:
SPEECHES BY THE BISHOPS OF WAKEFIELD AND WORCESTER
The Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Revd Stephen Platten, spoke in the House of Lords
Europe debate on 31 January. Here is the beginning of his speech:
“My Lords, in March 1990 the European churches gathered in Geneva to celebrate the
tearing down of the iron curtain. More than that, however, it celebrated the solidarity
of the Christian churches never recognising the fracturing of Europe into two post
1945. That stance was vindicated. Later that year, I walked through the Brandenburg
Gate with my German friend, Klaus Kremkau. It was the first time that he had walked
through it since he was a young soldier cadet in 1945. Now he was crossing the
threshold with an Englishman.
Early in his speech, the Prime Minister notes:
"today the main ... purpose ... is ... not to win peace, but to secure prosperity".
No one can doubt that, but peace, as we have seen to our horror in the past few years,
can never be taken for granted, even in apparently stable states, so the European
Union still exists to secure and sustain a lasting peace, without which there can be no
prosperity.”
The remainder of the speech, gathering in journeys by British saints across Europe
and the present day Soul for Europe programme, can be found at:
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http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/1301310001.htm#13013131000548
In the House of Lords debate on the EU Budget on 11 February the Bishop of
Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, asked about what the Budget seeks to achieve.
“There is a broader question here of what constitutes good stewardship of the
resources that Europe has at its disposal. Stewardship requires a way of living that
recognises that everything belongs to God and that all resources must be used for his
glory and the common good. It requires us to find ways of collaborating with others to
make the resources in our possession work for the good of all, as intended by God.”
The Hansard link is:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201213/ldhansrd/text/1302110001.htm#1302113000431
6. FAITH IN EUROPE SEMINARS: WHAT HAS THE EU DONE FOR US?
On 17 January Sir Michael Franklin spoke to Faith in Europe members at a seminar at
Archbishop’s House, Southwark. From his experience in the Cabinet Office and the
European Commission Sir Michael helped an understanding of the current debt crisis
noting the size of debt in the member countries, the ups and downs of public support
and the need for countries to have a seat at the table. There are some unsung good
news stories: improvement in the Common Agricultural Policy; advances in a
common security policy. He pointed out the difficulties faced in any renegotiation of
the U.K.’s EU membership or in exercising vetos in major matters. In discussions
questions were asked about NATO, the European Parliament and the Competency
Exercise. A letter to “The Guardian” by Simon Sweeney was read out recounting (in
Monty Python meets the Romans style) “What has the EU done for us?”
The next event planned on 18 April has a musical theme: Handel, his influence and
influences.
For more details about Faith in Europe events contact Secretary Philip Walters at
[email protected]
7. CANTERBURY ARRAS LINK
A Canterbury Arras group including former CCU European Secretary Canon Charles
Hill met at Calais on 17 October last year. Discussion topics included the forthcomng
Easter Monday Youth Pilgrimage with special youth resources, World Youth Day
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meeting in Arras in July with plans for an Anglo-French praise concert in the ruins of
St Bertin, ministry in prisons and hospitals, a twinning between two primary schools,
a diocesan partnership agreement recognising separate identities and identifying
common aims.
8. OUR MAN IN BRUSSELS – A HAPPY & BUSY NEW YEAR FOR THE
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE EU
2013 began with a flurry of activity. It started with an important trip to London to join
the Diocese in Europe Council for Mission and Public Affairs. Our main agenda item
was equipping churches and communities across Europe to mark the events of the
First World War - and to do so in ways that are sensitive, inclusive and community
building. If anyone knows of any helpful projects on this matter, we would be very
eager to know about them.
January continued with a very full and active Week of Christian Unity here in
Brussels. As part of our developing relationship with the Jesuit owned Chapel of the
Resurrection [the Chapel for Europe], Bishop Geoffrey Rowell was a key note
speaker at an Anglican-Catholic Dialogue event. The Roman Catholic Bishop of
Antwerp Johan Bonny was his interlocutor. The chapel was full, and the audience
very appreciative of the opportunity to hear the two Bishops in such a lively and
authentic discussion.
Our key event in January was a seminar/book launch my office hosted at the
European Union Parliament. We were very grateful to Vice-President of the
Parliament Laszlo Surjan who sponsored and opened our discussions. The title of the
seminar was ‘Does God Matter – Representing Religion to the European Union’
based on the title of the recent Routledge publication edited by Lucian Leustan from
Aston University. The three Brussels based contributors to the book spoke - Frank
Turner from the Jesuit European Social Centre and Peter Pavlovic from the Church
and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches as well as myself.
Lucean opened the seminar with his over view of how the representations of the
churches have grown and developed since the 1950s; while Frank and Peter spoke
from their respective Catholic and Protestant viewpoints. My chapter in the book was
entitled ‘From Athens to Berlin to Brussels: reflections on community knowledge and
dialogue between the EU institutions and the churches’. It argued that the churches
and the institutions often miss each other in dialogue because we hold knowledge in
different ways and speak different languages. Successful dialogue will need the
churches and the institutions to work harder to understand each other. Please do
contact me if you would like a synopsis.
All too soon January became February. We were delighted to welcome Canon Leslie
Nathaniel to Brussels and introduce him to the new General Secretary of COMECE,
the Revd Patrick Daley. He had only started work just two days earlier. In addition we
had extended conversations with Katrin Hatzinger from EKD in relation to the
Meissen Commission and the future values of Europe.
February will also see the publication of the Wilton Park Report from the December
conference on Freedom of Religion. Watch this space for further developments!
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9. …AND FINALLY
AN ECUMENICAL BALLADE
IN HONOUR OF THE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE LUTHERAN
AND REFORMED CHURCHES OF FRANCE AND ALSACE LORRAINE
AND THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, THE CHURCH OF IRELAND,
THE CHURCH IN WALES AND THE SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Six nations have for long been used
To chase the oval ball with fury
And keep enormous crowds suffused
In joy or pain, for death or glory,
But rugger’s not the only game
To grab us by the short and ceuilly
Sure Murrayfield’s a famous name
But have they never heard of Reuilly?
The sun shines in a brilliant sky
On Maryvale and Mary Tanner.
The co-chairs score an neat co-try,
The French convert in gallic manner.
Ireland and Wales scrum down – quel danse!
Tackling the scot like reuilly peuilly
They shout like mad at Parc des Princes
But wait until they come to Reuilly.
The game involves some other teams.
The Scandinavian churches bring us
Northern theology and dreams,
While Leuenberg has Meistersingers.
And Meissen’s thoughts are apt and gay
Like figurines – rococo, twueilly
All these but milestones on the way
Which now at last approaches Reuilly.
Prince of our tranquil conversations
Lord of the rugby heuilly beuilly.
Direct us all from all six nations
To find our destiny at Reuilly.
Barney Milligan
October 1997
(very slightly revised since then to honour an increase from five to six nations)
Material edited and distributed by the Council for Christian Unity, Church House,
London
Visit the CCU website at:
http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/work-other-churches/ccu.aspx
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