The Joint Committee of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met in Germany between September 9 and 11 for their annual meeting, focused on synodality and ecumenical cooperation. The meeting took place in the city of Darmstadt, where the leaders also visited the headquarters of the Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau.
The presidents of the two bodies, Catholic Archbishop Gintaras Grusas for CCEE and Orthodox Archbishop Nikitas for CEC, signed a joint document expressing solidarity with all persecuted Christians and acknowledging the suffering, fear and damage caused against the entire body of Christ.
In the call for peace, the Christian leaders expressed their prayers for the peoples afflicted in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Holy Land, where Jesus Christ was born, walked, suffered and rose again. The declaration also urges Christians in Europe and around the world to join efforts to promote a culture of peace, justice and reconciliation.
During the meeting, the reception of the 'Ecumenical Charter' was also discussed, with Archbishop Gintaras Grusas warning that this document cannot remain merely on paper, and must become a living commitment to cooperation. The program also included discussions on current challenges related to democracy and nationalism.
