Category Archives: Ecumenism

Press Release

Christian Unity as an Instrument of Peace

The CCEE Presidency Invites to Prayer for Peace during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Following the signing of the updated Charta Oecumenica that took place in Rome on 5 November 2025, H.E. Msgr. Gintaras GRUŠAS, President of the CCEE, relaunches the reception phase of the Charta in Europe by issuing a heartfelt appeal to the Presidents of the European Catholic Bishops’ Conferences to dedicate a special prayer intention for peace during the upcoming Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as this … Continue reading Christian Unity as an Instrument of Peace »

Ecumenism

CCEE and CEC Presidents present revised Charta Œcumenica to Pope Leo XIV

Members of CCEE and CEC in Audience with the Holy Father at the Vatican

The Presidents of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) presented the revised Charta Œcumenica to His Holiness Pope LEO XIV during a private audience at the Vatican on 6 November 2025. H.E. Msgr. Gintaras GRUŠAS, Archbishop of Vilnius and President of CCEE, and H. Em. Archbishop NIKITAS of Thyateira and Great Britain, President of CEC, shared the … Continue reading CCEE and CEC Presidents present revised Charta Œcumenica to Pope Leo XIV »

Ecumenism

Updated Charta Œcumenica marks a milestone towards Christian unity in Europe

A revised version officially signed in Rome by the Presidents of CCEE and CEC

With a historic step towards Christian unity, the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) launched the Updated Charta Œcumenica on 5 November 2025 in Rome. This joint document marks a milestone in the ecumenical journey of European churches, renewing their commitment to walk together in dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared witness in response to the challenges of our … Continue reading Updated Charta Œcumenica marks a milestone towards Christian unity in Europe »

CCEE-CEC Joint Committee

The CCEE-CEC Joint Committee and the signing of the updated Charta Œcumenica

Pope Leo XIV to receive the participants at the signing ceremony in Audience

From 4 to 6 November 2025, the Joint Committee of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) will meet in Rome. There will be two key moments of the meeting: the ceremony for the signing of the updated Charta Œcumenica, that will take place on 5 November 2025 in the Church of the Martyrdom of Saint Paul at the … Continue reading The CCEE-CEC Joint Committee and the signing of the updated Charta Œcumenica »

Ecumenism

Presentation of the revised Charta Oecumenica

The signing ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) will officially present the revised Charta Oecumenica on 26 and 27 April 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The event will bring together representatives of different Christian traditions to mark a significant milestone in ecumenism. Signed in 2001 by the presidents of CCEE and CEC, the Charta Oecumenica has been the cornerstone of … Continue reading Presentation of the revised Charta Oecumenica »

Ecumenism

Migration & Human Trafficking as a Result of War

European Catholic-Orthodox Seminar in Crete on migration and human trafficking

The European Catholic-Orthodox Seminar was held from 3 to 5 November 2024 in Rethymno, Crete, on the theme, “Migration and Human Trafficking as a Consequence of War”. After a welcome address by H.Em. Metr. Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos who hosted the event, the working sessions were opened, introduced by the Seminar’s two co-presidents, H.Em. Nikitas Lioulias, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, and H.E. … Continue reading Migration & Human Trafficking as a Result of War »

Joint Committee CCEE-CEC

European churches discuss evangelisation amidst rising secularism and division

The annual meeting in Crete

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) held their annual Joint Committee meeting in Crete, focusing on evangelisation in an increasingly secular Europe. Amid challenges of disunity, polarisation, and societal conflict, leaders emphasised the urgent need for a unified Christian witness. The meeting also included a session on revising the Charta Oecumenica, a key document for Christian unity, … Continue reading European churches discuss evangelisation amidst rising secularism and division »

CCEE-CEC Joint Committee

Declaration on the Situation in the Middle East

The meeting of the CCEE-CEC Joint Committee took place from 5 to 7 November in Belgrade.  The delegation from the Conference of European Churches (CEC) with its President H. Em. Nikitas, Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, and that of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) with its President H.E. Msgr. Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius, were welcomed by the Archbishop of Belgrade, H.E. … Continue reading Declaration on the Situation in the Middle East »

Presidency

Patriarch Bartholomew to Grušas: “continue our fruitful collaboration”

The CCEE President in Istanbul for Pentecost

At the invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences, participated in Istanbul at the celebration of Temperance Day, which in the Orthodox calendar kicks off the Pentecost celebrations. Bartholomew called for ever greater cooperation with the CCEE, especially in the light of the “unholy war” that is taking place in Ukraine and, … Continue reading Patriarch Bartholomew to Grušas: “continue our fruitful collaboration” »