European Network- Church on the Move
NOTA DE PRENSA
La Red Europea Iglesia por la Libertad ha celebrado su Asamblea Anual a los 20 años de su fundación.
Representantes de 24 organizaciones de 11 países se han reunido en Barcelona para progresar en su compromiso de contribuir a la construcción de una Europa más solidaria y una Iglesia más igualitaria.
The European Network Church on the Move held its 21st Annual Conference 20 years after its foundation.
Delegates from 24 organizations in 11 countries met in Barcelona to advance in their commitment to build a more cooperative Europe and a more equalitarian Church
The Annual Conference of the European Network Church on the Move started on Thursday 28th April and ended on Sunday 1st May, coinciding with the commemoration of the founding of the EN, 20 years ago. Delegates from 24 member organizations of grassroots Christians from 11 European countries were present together with one observer from the American Catholic Council and another from the European Federation for Religious Freedom.
The Conference decided to ratify its commitment to actively participate in political institutions and other groups so as to advance in the separation of powers between Church and Society. Likewise, the Conference insisted in the need for progress in the development of human rights and solidarity as the most distinct element of the religious contribution to European integration. Last but not least, the Conference called on the Catholic hierarchy to return to the spirit of the 2nd Vatican Council, make its structure democratic and provide equal rights for women and men in the Church.
During the Conference there was a Study Day with the title Christianity for a new Worldwide Ethic. The main paper was by the Basque theologian José Arregi who reaffirmed the validity of the values of Christianity in their contribution to a new ethic for countries and people, based on the example of Jesus instead of on power structures. The former Unesco Director General, Federico Mayor Zaragoza, sent a videoed message for the members encouraging the contribution of religion as a means to achieve a society with universal dignity for all people. The last speaker was the former Vicepresident of the Generalitat Government of Catalunya, Josep Lluís Carod-Rovira, who presented the model of secularism applied by the Catalan Government during the last few years.
The Conference delegates made a private visit to the Sagrada Familia, where they were received by Sra. Roser Maragall, a member of the patronato of the cathedral. She explained that the genius of Gaudí was not understood in his time and invited members to continue to work for more justice and solidarity both in Society and the Church, in spite of the current misunderstandings and difficulties.
The delegates also visited Montserrat, the spiritual centre of Catalunya, where they were received by the prior of the abbey. He stressed the importance of plurality in creating areas of the Church where members of society can experience the liberating message of the gospels. He also highlighted the importance for Christian movements and organizations in organising themselves in networks so as to profit by the experience of different cultural contexts.
For more information, see our website: http://www.en-re.eu
Joan Oñate
European Network Church on the Move
Móvil +34 607 201 904
Barcelona 1st May 2011
Le Réseau européen Eglises et Libertés (EN RE) a tenu sa 21ème Conférence annuelle 20 ans après sa fondation.
Des délégués de 24 organisations de 11 pays se sont rencontrés à Barcelone pour aller de l'avant dans leur engagement pour une Europe plus coopérative et une Eglise plus égalitaire...
Workshop Friday 29 April 2011, 09.30-11.00 at the Salesian House Marti Codolar in Barcelona
The position of the EN on secularism, the light of our membership of the European Parliamentary Platform for Secularism in Politics in Europe and of the Alliance for a Secular Europe [EPPSP and ASE]
Pedro Freitas in the Chair, Simon Bryden-Brook making a record.
Hubert Tournès gave an introduction to the topic. There are 15 members in the ASE, not an anti-religious organisation but concerned with the improper influence of religion on secular institutions, the separation of religion and politics. Current members include CFC, CCD, EN, G3i, a Belgian and an English humanist organisation, 8 organisations represented on the Advisory Board of the EPPSP and perhaps the IARF [International Association for Religious Freedom]. The Co-ordinating Group approved a decision to join the ASE, subject to the approval of the Annual Conference. To leave now so soon after joining would be catastrophic. Perhaps the Austrian members of the EN can accept a form of approval which allows dissent by some EN members.
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