Romanian Church, Evangelical Church in Germany Sign Partnership Agreement
The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania and Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) have signed a partnership agreement. Romanian Bishop Dr Christoph Klein and EKD Council Chairperson, Bishop Dr Wolfgang Huber signed the agreement, February 25 in Hanover, Germany.
According to an EKD press release, both sides emphasized during the signing that this was a step in the right direction, and should be seen as a “visible sign of a partnership with equal rights.” Among others, the pact covers “encounters and consultations at church leadership level, as well as meetings between specialized staff,” and the “promotion of mutual exchanges of ministers, staff members, and students.”
The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania has radically changed with developments in recent years. During the past two decades, a large number of German congregation members have migrated abroad, mainly to Germany. Subsequently, membership has plummeted from 120,000 in 1987 to 14,600 presently. The church has meanwhile strengthened, and has undergone a major restructuring process, resulting in an ecumenically open church in diaspora.
The Romanian church joined the Lutheran World Federation in 1964. (193 words)
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