The Christians of the different confessions living in Europe must engage in a common testimony to respond to the spiritual, demographic, political and economic challenges that the old continent is facing nowadays. This is one of the conclusions reached by the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (Kek) and the Council of European Bishops Conferences (Ccee), which took place in Geneva from 26th to 28th January. This year they also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment, back in 1972, of the Joint Committee, which is the supreme body for dialogue between Kek and Ccee, and which meets once a year. In his opening address, the president of Kek, the Metropolitan bishop Emmanuel of France, described the current economic crisis as one of the matters "that raise questions about the ability of Europe to bring about a sustainable policy for the European Union". The president of Ccee, cardinal Péter Erdõ, described ecumenical commitment as a need that must involve all Christians, rather than a few experts. One of the guest speakers, Alister McGrath, professor of theology at London’s King’s College, described the development of a lay or “atheist” position in Europe that sees religion as a private matter that should have no impact on the public sphere.
According to McGrath, religious institutions had been caught up in a general suspicion of institutions such as governments, banks and corporations “on account of their power, lack of transparency, vested interests, and financial recklessness”. While there is a widespread interest in “spirituality”, this is seen as a personal and individual matter, not necessarily being linked to institutional affiliation. Moreover, churches needed to respond to a widespread concern following the 9/11 attacks in 2001 that religion fosters extremism”. Yet, McGrath went on, the “new atheism” in some parts of Europe has at the same time generated immense public interest in the issue of God, he noted. Here churches have an opportunity to engage in the intellectual debate, and to show Christian faith as a force for good in society”. Professor Gian Carlo Blangiardo, lecturer in demographics at Milano-Bicocca University, focussed on the demographic challenges facing churches and society. He noted a significant fall in the birth rate in European countries coupled with an ageing population. Such developments are creating significant challenges for European welfare systems.
At the same time, demographic changes are leading to new patterns of family life. “Marriage rates had fallen almost everywhere during the past 40 years, Professor Blangiardo said, while an increasing number of children are born outside marriage. Against this background, he urged churches to find ways of reinforcing the family. The Rev. Cordelia Kopsch from Germany, a vice-president of CEC, said that in many places churches are facing decreasing membership and finances. She urged churches to “withstand the temptation to draw back from their presence in the public sphere because it is the credibility of their public witness which is at stake”. For Mgr Matthias Heinrich, the auxiliary Bishop of Berlin, “the Christians’ testimony in their working and personal environments as well as the presence of the Church in the public sphere "are important. “The church should use opportunities such as collaboration with the secular media, being present in the fields of education and culture, and finding ways to demonstrate Christian faith through diaconal activity”, Mgr Heinrich concluded. The Joint Committee expressed solidarity with Christians facing difficult situations in other parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East, and especially in Egypt and Syria, as well as expressing concern for victims of violence in Nigeria.

© www.agensir.it - jenuary 30th 2012