An Ecumenical Conference of European Theological Institutions will be established in Graz, Austria 10/7/2006
"Theology does not only serve the churches, and Christian communities, it also makes a vital contribution in the social and political arena, helping people to understand human nature and all of creation", said the representatives of theological institutions and churches in the final statement from their meeting in Graz, Austria from 6-9 July 2006. "Theology is adept at thinking through the consequences of plurality and multi-culturalism", they added, "and has an important role to play in helping society adapt to the changing nature of Europe through immigration".
Seventy-five participants from 23 European countries responded to the invitation of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Faculty of Theology of the University of Graz for a second Consultation of Theological Faculties in Europe on the theme "The challenges of Theology in a Pluralistic Europe". The meeting continued the work of the first Consultation, held in Graz in 2002.
The Consultation proposed the establishment of a permanent body, to be called the "Conference of Theological Formation, Faculties, and Colleges in Europe", based in Graz. A website is to be created to promote the work of the new body and to facilitate further dialogue. A planning committee will be soon be established to oversee the progress of the Consultation's proposals.
Of particular relevance for the Consultation were the addresses of Ján Figel', the EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture, and Multilingualism, who spoke on "The challenges for Higher Education from the European Union Perspective and the EU responses"; and of Georg Winckler, President of the European University Association, on "The Contributions of Universities to a Europe of Knowledge". Both speakers stressed the importance of theology within the European Union's (EU) university framework, and the need for developing and overseeing the cooperation of the theological faculties and institutions for the sake of church, state and society.
Three plenary addresses from Bishop Wolfgang Huber, Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Archbishop Alois Kothgasser of Salzburg, Austria and Metropolitan Daniel of Moldavia and Bukovina, Romania, prepared the consultation for lively discussion on "The challenges of theology in a pluralist Europe from an ecumenical perspective". Also discussed were the themes of "Core values for theological faculties in Europe responding to the evolving needs of churches and society" and "The challenges of the Bologna Process for the theological faculties and churches in Europe".
"An important aspect of the Consultation was meeting with existing networks of theological institutions whose work is complementary to the Graz process. In this respect this second Consultation was indeed a considerable step forward towards strengthening the cooperation between the theological faculties from all over Europe", stated Prof. Dr Viorel Ionita, Director Designate of the Churches in Dialogue Commission of CEC.
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