Conference of European Churches - Office of Communications

Press release No. 09-25/e

12 May 2009

Annual meeting of religious leaders with the Presidents of the EU Institutions:
the economic and financial crisis as a call for change

“The present crisis is more than just a financial and economic crisis. We need to recognise the complexity of the situation and the interconnectedness of several issues, such as social justice, food security and an effective response to climate change,” said Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) starting the series of interventions by church leaders in yesterday’s meeting with the Presidents of the European Institutions in Brussels. “The present crisis calls for a substantial change,” he continued. “People have lost confidence in a system which is mainly based on individual profit. The present crisis is an ethical crisis in which churches and religious communities need to highlight ethical values such as human dignity, freedom with responsibility, solidarity and sustainability.”

This view was broadly echoed by the other religious leaders in the meeting as well as by the representatives of the European Institutions. The meeting, entitled “Economic and financial crisis: ethical contributions for European and global economic governance”, was hosted by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso and Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament. Also present were the EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Joaquin Almunia, and Jan Figel’, EU Commissioner for Education and Culture.

Bishop Nifon from the Romanian Orthodox Church requested that “any response to the present crisis should go beyond individualism and nationalism.” He reminded the meeting about the spiritual dimension: “My daily bread is a material concern; the daily bread of my neighbour is a spiritual concern.”

Bishop Wolfgang Huber from the Evangelical Church in Germany stressed that “any action in response to the crisis needs to be measured with the yardstick of solidarity; but not only by solidarity among the present population of the world, but also by solidarity with future generations. This might not always lead to popular political decisions. But churches and religious communities will stand by politicians who are committed to solidarity and sustainability.” Prof. Jaana Halamaa from the Evangelical Church of Finland reminded the participants that “commonly shared values need to be translated into concrete action.”

To this effect, Jean-Arnold de Clermont emphasized the need for strengthening social and ecological dimensions in a renewed Lisbon Strategy and the need for education and life-long learning, quoting just but a few examples towards change, from a statement on the financial crisis made by the CEC Central Committee in October 2008 (Press Release 0855), and from the Open Letter to the Presidents of the European Institutions issued last week by the Church and Society Commission of CEC.

Others underlined the just balance of the social component and competitiveness in a further developed social market economy. The common opinion of the religious leaders was that “as religious communities we must raise our voices for the most vulnerable in our societies and for their protection.”

In order to continue the dialogue between religions and the European Institutions on reviewing European policies from a value perspective, participants in the meeting asked for a more structured preparation and follow-up to annual meetings on the leadership level. Representatives, both of the religious communities and of the European Institutions, underlined that religions have no monopoly in defining European values. But religions are a major actor in European societies and have an important contribution to make to the future of Europe and the world.

With the European Parliament elections approaching (4-7 June) the meeting emphasised how important it will be for the 375 million citizens in Europe to assume their democratic right and to participate in the elections: “The people of Europe should make their voice heard and determine by their vote which direction the response to the present economic and financial crisis takes.” Several ecumenical organisations as well as member churches of the Conference of European Churches have encouraged citizens to participate in the elections.

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The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 120 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

For more information:
Luca Negro
Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25
Fax +41 22 791 62 27
e-mail: Luca.Negro@cec-kek.org