Churches-EU Dialogue in Croatia

An ecumenical delegation composed of representatives from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) met in Zagreb on Monday, 20 January 2020 with Mr. Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia to exchange on the priorities of the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council, which started on 1 January 2020. Péter Szenn, Bishop of the Reformed Christian Calvinist Church in Croatia, was among the participants on the invitation of CEC.

Populism, Human Rights, Christian Witness

RCH was present at CEC conference in Malaga, where populism and human rights were in sharp focus. forming a common understanding of how European church actors can counter populist discourse and work together for cohesion and tolerance. Read the Press Release of CEC and the closing statement of the conference below.

Meeting Explores Ecclesiology and Mission

Ecumenical officers and secretaries for theology from across Europe gathered in Kaunisniemi, Finland last week, reflecting on crucial themes in the area of ecclesiology and mission.

World Refugee Day

In honor of World Refugee Day, the CCME and the CEC shared a call for partner and member churches to remember those who have died on their journey to find a dignified life in Europe. The RCH joins the international initiative.

Together in Hope and Witness

CEC Governing Board met in Brussels. Zsuzsanna Répás, member of the board on behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Churches was also in attendance. As usual, the board took the opportunity to respond to important events and crises in the world and issued three public issues statements as a result.

Witness, Justice, Hospitality: CEC Assembly has Finished

After nine full days of worship, listening and learning, the 2018 Novi Sad General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches has drawn to a close. Ms. Zsuzsanna Répás of the Hungarian Reformed Church was elected  to the Governing Board of CEC.

From Budapest to Novi Sad

Five years after Budapest, the 2018 CEC General Assembly is being held in Novi Sad, Serbia, where participants will explore the concepts of justice, witness, and hospitality from a European Christian perspective. The RCH is actively participating in the Assembly.

Hungarian officials visit CEC, strengthen partnerships

On 23 January, Peter Heltai, Ambassador at Large of Hungary Helps Initiative and György Nandasi, Advisor to György Hölvényi MEP, European Parliament, visited the CEC office in Brussels.

Hope in the age of climate change

What is the substance of hope in the age of climate change?  How can theology shape our action in responding to environmental challenges? What are the criteria that make our hope effective? These were questions at the centre of attention at the seminar organised by the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) from 28 – 29 August 2017 in Budapest.

Europe – Where now?

A regional CEC consultation on future of Europe recently took place in Edinburgh, and the RCH was there to weigh in. RCH Ecumenical Officer, Balázs Ódor, attended the meeting and provided an important voice from Central Europe to the discussion. The next regional consultation of CEC will take place in November 2017 in Prague, and Ódor will play a prominent role in the gathering.

Migration Through a Theological Lens

CEC, CCME, and WCC gathered 30 participants from a diversity of church backgrounds to discuss migration through a theological lens. Rev Aaron Stevens from the Scottish Mission, a joint congregation of the Reformed Church in Hungary and the Church of Scotland, represented Hungary at the meeting.

CEC Welcomes Assembly Coordintor

The Conference of European Churches has named Szabolcs Lörincz, former Head of Finances of RCH, as Assembly Coordinator for its upcoming General Assembly, which will take place in Novi Sad (Serbia) from 30 May to 6 June, 2018.

Planning for the Future of European Churches

October 12-14 will see 30 ecumenical guests gather in Budapest to begin plans for the 15th CEC General Assembly. The last Assembly was held in Budapest in 2013, so the RCH planning team from that event will be an integral part of the upcoming meeting.

“Have No Fear” – Churches call for intensified efforts

Remembering World Refugee Day, the Conference of European Churches has issued a press release on their recent high-level consultation organized jointly with WCC, CCME and PKN. Two representatives of RCH also attended the meeting in Lunteren, Netherlands.

Call for Respect of Human Rights against the Genocide in the Middle East

The Presidium of RCH welcomes and strongly supports the resolution passed in the European Parliament  and related statement of CEC regarding the persecution of religious minorities by so-called ISIS/Da’esh.

Churches on the Frontline of Integration

Today the European Commission convened a Dialogue Seminar focussed on looking beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis provoked by the recent influx of migrants and refugees on European soil. COMECE, CEC, and CCME gathered experts and Church leaders from across Europe to discuss models of integration, best practices, and the fundamental values that guide integration within the European Union. Dóra Kanizsai-Nagy, head of the RCH Refugee Ministry also attended the Seminar and held a short presenation on the Models of integration into the labour market in a Hungarian context.

Messages of Condolence

Updated: Battle Over Church-Owned Property Still Ongoing in Romania

The Transylvanian Reformed Church District's battle with the Romanian government concerning the re-naturalization of church-owned property will come to a head 21 January when the court will reconvene for the next court session. It will likely be the final turning point in the prolonged legal battle. Bishop Béla Kató released the following statement on 18 January concerning the case:   "We look at the confiscation of our rightful property under the communist tyranny as historical injustice, and now we must suffer the fear and pain of loss again. We recognize with bitter displeasure that the Romanian administration of justice and current political powers will polish their worn prestige by once more taking away – based on half-truths and false testimonies – what was already lawfully returned and dragging through the mire the names of those who simply performed their duties in this matter."

RCH’s contribution to the CEC General Assembly in Budapest

The 14th General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches concluded yesterday boasting a newly approved and reformed constitution. The Reformed Church in Hungary was honored to be one of the hosting churches that worked alongside the Assembly Planning Committee to create a successful meeting.

CEC General Assembly in Budapest and Its Revision in a Changing Europe

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is counting down the days until its General Assembly, which will take place in Budapest on 3-8 July. Member churches will gather in Hungary's capitol to discuss CEC's role, mission and vision in a changing Europe. The Reformed Church in Hungary is honored to be a hosting church for the Assembly and excited to be a part of CEC's discussion as they look to the future.