Conference of European Churches
Aim
Continue to grow in the fellowship (koinonia) of faith, hope and love; make a common contribution to the mission of the Church to the safeguarding of life and the wellbeing of all humankind; help the European churches to renew their spiritual life, to strengthen their common witness and service, and to promote the unity of the Church and peace in the world.
History
The Conference came into being after the Second World War on the initiative of leading representatives of European churches. Their intention was that the churches in Europe should support one another in the exercise of the ministry of reconciliation incumbent on them all. The first Assembly was held at Nyborg from 6th to 9th January 1959. On 8th October 1964, during its IVth Assembly, the Conference adopted its first Constitution. Since then the number of member churches has increased and the fellowship between them has deepened, as has co-operation with the Council of European Roman Catholic Bishops' Conferences (CCEE).
IRD Activities
- Interreligious Dialogue
The "Committee for Relations with Muslims in Europe" (CRME) was jointly set up by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) to help the European churches identify and reflect upon the new challenges for the dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Europe. It is made up of members, consultants and observers. The committee has a four-year mandate and meets twice a year. It follows a similar working group "Islam in Europe" that had been founded in 1987. The Committee organizes various activities to promote interreligious dialogue
- Dialogue between the Orthodox Churches and other Member Churches of CEC
There is already a tradition of theological co-operation between the various confessions within CEC, which should be continued even more intensively. A special consideration should be given to dialogue and encounter between the Orthodox and the other member churches of CEC. A concrete way in this respect would be to continue the consultation process on the ongoing official theological dialogues between these churches, initiated by the CiD between 2005-2009 and the third Porvoo-Eastern Orthodox Consultation in 2011.
Main Focus Countries of Activities
Eastern Europe - Northern Europe - Southern Europe - Western Europe - Eastern Europe - Northern Europe - Southern Europe - Western Europe