LWF reiterates vital role of Conference of European Churches in peace making and human rights protection
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt has congratulated Rev. Frank Dieter Fischbach on his appointment as the new leader of the Conference of European Churches (CEC).
In a letter sent to the new CEC General Secretary, Burghardt notes that the organization “has always played an important role in bringing the churches on the European continent together.” She says the Charta Oecumenica, signed by CEC and the (Catholic) Council of European Episcopal Conferences in 2001, “bears witness to the fact that this cooperation reaches beyond the actual membership of CEC.”
In the context of an ongoing war in Europe, “where societies continue to be polarized and where the far right is gaining ground,” Burghardt insists that “CEC has an immense potential in strengthening the role of the churches as peace messengers.”
Church in the public space
Within LWF, she says, “we look very much forward to continued cooperation with CEC, particularly when it comes to articulating the role of the church in the public space and to advocating for human rights and dignity.”
Fischbach previously served as Executive Secretary and head of the northern and Western Europe desk of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) and as a pastor with several German churches, focusing on fostering ecumenical relations. He also brings with him extensive experience in theology, employment and social issues, as well as dialogue with the European political institutions.
CEC is a fellowship of 114 churches from Orthodox, Protestant and Anglican traditions from across Europe. Together with its ecumenical partners, it represents over 380 million European church members.
Fischbach will take up the position in the summer.
