En français:
Patriarche Alexis II de Moscou et de toute la Russie: Télégramme au pape Benoît XVIDéclaration de la Conférence des Eglises Européennes à l'occasion du 90ème anniversaire du génocide arménien
In English:
Bishop Hilarion of Vienna and Austria: Towards a Catholic-Orthodox Alliance
Statement of the Conference of European Churches on the Occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
Auf Deutsch:
Stellungnahme der KEK aus Anlass des 90. Gedenktages des Völkermords an dem armenischem Volk
Patriarche Alexis II de Moscou et de toute la Russie: Télégramme au pape Benoît XVI
Votre Sainteté!
Je vous félicite cordialement pour votre élection à l’antique cathèdre épiscopale de Rome. J’implore l’aide de Dieu pour l’accomplissement du haut service à la tête de l’Eglise catholique.
J’espère sincèrement que votre pontificat sera marqué par le développement de bonnes relations entre nos Eglises et par un dialogue fructueux entre les catholiques et les orthodoxes. Je considère cela comme une des tâches les plus importantes qui aura une signification décisive pour le monde chrétien tout entier. Nos Eglises, qui possèdent de l’autorité et de l’influence, doivent unir leurs efforts dans la prédication des valeurs chrétiennes au monde contemporain.
Le monde sécularisé, qui perd ses repères spirituels, n’a jamais eu autant besoin de notre témoignage commun. Je souhaite exprimer mon espérance que le service de votre Sainteté contribuera à l’accomplissement de cette tâche.
Avec l’amour fraternel dans le Seigneur,
Alexis II, patriarche de Moscou et de toute la Russie.
Traduction française Orthodoxie.com
Déclaration de la Conférence des Eglises Européennes à l'occasion du 90ème anniversaire du génocide arménien
Le Présidium de la Conférence des Eglises Européennes (KEK) a publié la déclaration publique suivante à l'occasion du 90ème anniversaire du génocide arménien:
"Le 24 avril 2005 la population arménienne commémorera le 90ème Anniversaire du génocide perpétré sous l’Empire ottoman. Lors de cette commémoration, la Conférence des Eglises européennes (KEK) sera représentée par son Président, le Pasteur Jean-Arnold de Clermont, Président de la Fédération des Eglises protestantes de France.
Le Présidium de la Conférence des Eglises Européennes, réuni à Västerås (Suède) du 6 au 10 avril 2005, adhère aux déclarations faites à plusieurs reprises par Sa Sainteté Karekin II, Catholicos de tous les Arméniens et par le Catholicos Aram I: les horribles crimes commis en connexion avec le génocide arménien ne devraient jamais être oubliés. La culpabilité doit être reconnue et la vérité dite. Un examen critique de son propre passé historique ouvre la voie au pardon, à la guérison de l'amertume des mémoires et à la construction d’un avenir commun.
A l’instar du Conseil oecuménique des Eglises, le Présidium de la KEK invite toutes ses Eglises membres à 'faire du 24 avril une Journée du souvenir en commémoration du génocide arménien et envisager d’autres mesures à prendre en relation avec le 90ème Anniversaire du génocide arménien'. Partout en Europe et au-delà, les Eglises peuvent jouer un rôle important: offrir une plate-forme de rencontre et soutenir des projets allant dans le sens de la réconciliation.
Le Présidium demande instamment au gouvernement turc d’initier entre les peuples turc et arménien un processus de réconciliation impliquant la reconnaissance de la culpabilité et la proclamation de la vérité. A cet égard, la Conférence des Eglises Européennes se félicite de la déclaration du Premier Ministre, Monsieur Erdogan, annonçant l’ouverture des archives turques. Il est important que des chercheurs arméniens, turcs et indépendants aient un libre accès à cette documentation.
Nous recommandons vivement au gouvernement turc de réunir les conditions nécessaires à l’ouverture – tant dans la sphère publique qu’au sein des institutions éducatives – d’un débat libre et honnête sur les atrocités, les déportations et les massacres dont la population arménienne a été victime.
Il y a lieu de noter toutefois que les atrocités commises sur le territoire de l’actuelle Turquie, ne visaient pas uniquement la population arménienne, mais aussi d’autres minorités chrétiennes et ethniques.
Le 1er octobre 2005 commenceront des négociations entre l’Union européenne et la Turquie en vue de l’accession de la Turquie au sein de l’UE. Comme la Conférence des Eglises Européennes l’a déjà précisé le 3 octobre 2004, les critères de Copenhague doivent être remplis et les négociations en vue de l’accession accompagnées d’une élaboration honnête de l’histoire (notamment en ce qui concerne la relation de la Turquie avec ses pays limitrophes) incluant la reconnaissance des blessures et offenses infligées. Il s’agit là d’une condition préalable à toute guérison des mémoires et à une véritable réconciliation au sein de la société, ce qui n’a pas encore eu lieu en Turquie. La relation avec le peuple arménien et d’autres minorités chrétiennes et ethniques revêt, à cet égard, une importance particulière.
La Conférence des Eglises Européennes continuera à suivre de près les négociations entre l’Union européenne et le gouvernement turc. L’UE est une communauté d’Etats fondée sur le respect des droits de la personne, la démocratie et l’Etat de droit; les documents que l’UE s’est engagée à respecter font référence aux valeurs de justice et de paix, de solidarité et de pluralisme, de réconciliation et de tolérance, de liberté d’expression et de respect mutuel; des efforts sont actuellement déployés pour que ces valeurs fassent partie intégrante de la vie au quotidien. L’engagement de la Turquie à appliquer ces valeurs – eu égard notamment à ses minorités et aux relations avec ses pays limitrophes – sera une condition préalable à son accession au sein de l’Union européenne."
Bureau de la Communication, Conférence des Eglises européennes
Towards a Catholic-Orthodox Alliance
Interview with Hilarion Alfeyev, Bishop of Vienna and Austria, Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions, by Robert Moynihan, editor-in-chief of ‘Inside the Vatican’, on 24 April 2005, the day of enthronement of Pope Benedict XVI
What are your hopes for the new pontificate?
As a Russian Orthodox bishop, I hope, first of all, that the new pontificate will be marked by a breakthrough in relations between the Roman Catholic and the Russian Orthodox Churches, and that a meeting of the Pope of Rome with the Patriarch of Moscow does take place. This meeting must be preceded by concrete steps in the direction of a better mutual understanding, and by careful elaboration of a common position on major dividing issues.
I hope, next, that there will be a general amelioration in the relations between the Catholic Church and the world Orthodoxy, and that the Joint Catholic-Orthodox Theological Commission resumes its work after a five-year pause, or that a new commission for bilateral dialogue is formed in order to discuss Uniatism, primacy and other theological and ecclesiological questions which still divide our churches.
As far as the Catholic Church as such is concerned, I hope that it will continue to preserve its traditional social and moral teaching without surrendering to pressures from the ‘progressive’ groups that demand the ordination of women, the approval of the so-called ‘same-sex marriages,’ abortion, contraception, euthanasia, etc. There is no doubt that Benedict XVI, who has already made his positions on these issues clear, will continue to oppose such groups, which exist both within the Catholic Church and outside it.
I also hope that the Catholic Church will continue to combat liberalism, secularism and relativism both in Europe and outside it. Just two days before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, the then Cardinal Ratzinger addressed his fellow cardinals with a sermon which, according to some journalists, broke like a thunderclap. ‘We are moving,’ he said, toward ‘a dictatorship of relativism… that recognizes nothing definite and leaves only one’s own ego and one’s own desires as the final measure.’ A sermon on the eve of the conclave was meant to be programmatic, and it is clear that the war against relativism which Cardinal Ratzinger declared did not scare the other cardinals: on the contrary, by electing him as Pope they expressed their readiness to join him in this noble, but extremely painful and difficult combat.
In order for this combat to be more inclusive, I have recently suggested that a European Catholic-Orthodox Alliance be formed. This alliance may enable European Catholics and Orthodox to fight together against secularism, liberalism and relativism prevailing in modern Europe, may help them to speak with one voice in addressing secular society, may provide for them an ample space where they will discuss modern issues and come to common positions. The social and ethical teachings of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches are extremely close, in many cases practically identical. I have had a chance to compare the ‘Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church,’ published by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in 2004, with the ‘Bases of the Social Doctrine of the Russian Orthodox Church,’ approved by the Bishops’ Council of the Moscow Patriarchate in 2000. There are so many striking similarities and so little difference. Why, then, should we not be able to reveal our unity on all these major issues urbi et orbi?
How does this proposed alliance differ from the Joint Catholic-Orthodox Commission that you have already mentioned?
It is meant to be something completely different. The commission must be concentrated on what divides us, while the alliance should explore, clarify and then publicly announce the things on which we are united. The commission will be concentrated on the matters of doctrine and ecclesiology, while the alliance should be centred on social and moral issues. The commission will continue the internal Catholic-Orthodox debate, which has already lasted for many centuries, while the alliance should enable us, without necessarily overcoming our internal problems, to form a common front to defend Christianity as such against everything that may challenge it now or in the future.
I was the sole representative of the Moscow Patriarchate at the last session of the Joint Catholic-Orthodox Commission, which took place in Baltimore in 2000, and I remember how difficult the discussion on the issue of Uniatism was. There was so much frustration, disappointment and bitterness on both sides that not only no agreement was reached, but even the decision on whether the work of the commission would ever be resumed was not taken.
Even if resumed, the work of the Joint Commission will not be an easy one and is likely to continue for many years to come. My fear, however, is that by concentrating exclusively on the dividing issues, such as Uniatism, proselytism and primacy, we are likely to lose precious time that could be used for a common witness to the secularized world. Europe, in particular, has so rapidly dechristianized that urgent action is needed in order to save it from losing its centuries-old Christian identity.
This is precisely why I propose that, parallel to and independently from the Joint Commission, a European Catholic-Orthodox Alliance should be formed in order for the official representatives of the two churches to be able to elaborate a common position, in particular, on all major social and ethical issues. The two churches can speak with one voice, and there can be a united Catholic-Orthodox response to the challenges of secularism, liberalism and relativism. If necessary, some other issues of mutual interest could be a subject of discussion within the framework of the alliance with the view of presenting a unified position on them.
Why should Protestants be excluded from your proposed alliance?
In the struggle against relativism the Roman Catholic Church takes an uncompromising stand, but by doing so it further distances itself from Protestants, whose positions are in most cases much more in tune with modern developments. Protestants are, therefore, rather unlikely allies in this struggle. Moreover, there already exist many forums, organizations and agencies promoting the dialogue between Catholics and Protestants on social issues. There are also Protestant-Orthodox forums, such as the Conference of European Churches. What is almost entirely lacking in Europe is any space for a Catholic-Orthodox dialogue on social and ethical issues, while this dialogue would be so timely and so vital.
The rationale behind my proposal is the following: our churches are on their way to unity, but one has to be realistic and understand that it will probably take decades, if not centuries, before this unity is realized. In the meantime we desperately need to address the world with a united voice. Without being one Church, can we act as one Church? Can we present ourselves to the outside world as a unified structure, as an alliance? I am convinced that we can, and that by doing so we may become much stronger.
Why, then, a European alliance and not a world alliance?
Firstly, because I believe that it is in Europe that the most deadly battles between Christianity and relativism are going to take place in the nearest future. It is in Europe that the onslaught of militant secularism against religion takes the most aggressive forms. It is Europe that most obsessively denies its Christian heritage. It is in Europe that crucifixes are taken away from schools, religious symbols are banned from public places, and Christianity becomes an object of constant criticism, outrage and mockery. It is in Europe that a profound demographic crisis affected Christian population, threatening its very survival. Not that these processes do not take place in other parts of the world, but it is in Europe that they become so stunningly evident.
Secondly, in Europe there is a certain numerical balance between Catholics and Orthodox: 280 million of the former against 210 million of the latter. In some other parts of the world (like, for example, South America) the former outnumber the latter to such a degree that no dialogue on an equal footing is feasible.
How, in concrete terms, do you see such an alliance organized? Who should take the initiative? Who will take part? What kind of structure do you envisage?
It would be ideal if the initiative comes from the top, e.g., from the Pontiff, or from the leadership of the Orthodox Churches, or it could be a joint initiative. The important thing is that it should be an official proposal, and that the official representatives of the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches take part. There are already quite a number of ‘grass-root’ initiatives, various discussion groups on the level of clergy and laity, but until something is done on the official level, I do not think we may speak about any type of real alliance.
As far as the structure is concerned, it should be developed by the Churches themselves. The Catholic side may consist, for example, of representatives of the European Bishops’ Conferences, while the Orthodox side may consist of the representatives of all Local Autocephalous Churches that are present in Europe. ComECE emerges as the most obvious partner to the Orthodox, if such a structure is taken as a basis. One also has to define whether we are speaking about the EU or about Europe in general. I would personally advocate the latter option, in which case ComECE may be enlarged by representatives of the Bishops’ Conferences from non-EU countries.
Another type of structure is when the Catholic side consists of those people nominated by the Curia, while the Orthodox of those nominated by each Local Church. This was precisely how the Joint Commission was formed and this, I believe, was one of the reasons for its failure. A model based on local participation seems to me to be more appropriate.
I also believe that the Oriental Orthodox Churches should from the very beginning be a part of the alliance on behalf of the Orthodox family. There is no Eucharistic communion between the Eastern and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, but their spirituality and ethos, as well as their social and moral teachings are quite identical. Moreover, in an ecumenical context the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches have already proved to be able to act as one Orthodox family.
Suppose such an alliance is formed, what issues should it address?
Apart from the issues of militant secularism, liberalism and relativism, which I already listed, it should, in my view, concentrate on various aspects of family and sexual ethics, as well as on bioethical questions. The Catholic Church has already made its official position on family, marriage, abortion, contraception, euthanasia, cloning etc. known to the world, so have some Orthodox Churches, notably the Russian Orthodox Church in its ‘Bases of the Social Conception.’ But where is a united position?
I believe that the modern battle between traditional Christianity (by which I mean primarily the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches) on the one hand and secularism, liberalism and relativism on the other is primarily centred round the question of values. It is not a theological argument, because it is not the existence of God that is debated: it is the existence of an absolute moral norm, on which human life should be founded, that is put into question. The contest has an anthropological character, and it is the present and future of humanity that is at stake.
By defending life, marriage and procreation, by struggling against legalization of contraception, abortion and euthanasia, against recognition of homosexual unions as equal to marital ones, against libertinage in all forms, Catholics and Orthodox are engaged in a battle for survival of the European civilization, of European peoples, of Europe as such. Let us unite our efforts and form a common front of traditional Christianity in order to protect Europe from being irrevocably devoured by secularism, liberalism and relativism.
Reprinted with permission from ‘Inside the Vatican’
Statement of the Conference of European Churches on the Occasion of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
The Presidium of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) has issued the following Public Statement on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide:
"On 24 April 2005 the peoples of Armenia will commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Genocide under the Ottoman Empire. At the commemoration in Armenia, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) will be represented by its President, Revd Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Federation of Protestant Churches in France.
The Presidium of the Conference of European Churches, meeting in Västerås (Sweden), 6-10 April 2005, subscribes to the words, which the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II and Catholicos Aram I have repeatedly expressed: the horrific crimes in connection with the Armenian genocide should never be forgotten. Guilt must be admitted and the truth must be told. Reviewing one’s own history opens the path to forgiveness, to healing bitter memories and to gaining a common future.
The CEC Presidium joins the World Council of Churches in inviting all its member churches 'to make April 24 a Day of Memory of the Armenian Genocide and to consider further appropriate actions related to the 90 years Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide'. Churches all over the European continent and beyond can play an important role in offering a platform for encounter and in supporting projects towards reconciliation.
The Presidium urges the Turkish government to initiate a process of reconciliation between the Turkish and the Armenian peoples, in which the recognition of guilt and the proclamation of the truth need to be integral elements. In this regard, the Conference of European Churches welcomes the announcement of Prime Minister Erdogan to open Turkish archives. It is important that Armenian and Turkish as well as independent researchers have full access to the documentation.
We also urge the Turkish government to establish the conditions which allow for a free and honest debate in public as well as in educational institutions about atrocities, deportations and massacres committed against the Armenian peoples.
Atrocities on the territory of today’s Turkey, however, were not only committed against the Armenian peoples, but also against other Christian and ethnic minorities.
On 1 October 2005, negotiations will begin between the European Union and Turkey with the aim of Turkey becoming a member state of the European Union. As already stated on 3 October 2004 by the Conference of European Churches, the Copenhagen criteria for accession must be fulfilled and the accession negotiations need to be accompanied by an honest elaboration of history, particularly that part of it which concerns the relationship of Turkey with its neighbouring states and which includes recognition of wounds and offences inflicted. This is a pre-condition to healing of memories and to true reconciliation in society, which has not yet been reached in Turkey. The relationship with the Armenian peoples as well as with other Christian and ethnic minorities is, in this respect, of special importance.
The Conference of European Churches will continue to monitor the negotiations between the European Union and the government of Turkey very closely. The EU is a community of States, which is built on human rights, democracy and the rule of law and in which values of justice and peace, solidarity and pluralism, reconciliation and tolerance, freedom of speech and mutual respect are declared by the documents the EU committed itself to; effort are underway to make them an integral part of everyday life. The commitment to implementing these values in Turkey, not at least with regard to its minorities and the relations to its neighbouring countries, will be a pre-condition for Turkey’s accession to the European Union".
Office of Communications, Conference of European Churches
Stellungnahme der KEK aus Anlass des 90. Gedenktages des Völkermords an dem armenischem Volk
Das Präsidium der Konferenz Europäischer Kirchen (KEK) hat die folgende Öffentliche Stellungnahme aus Anlass des 90. Gedenktages des Völkermords an dem armenischen Volk veröffentlicht:
"Am 24. April 2005 gedenkt das armenische Volk zum 90. Mal des Völkermords unter ottomanischer Herrschaft. An der Gedenkveranstaltung in Armenien, wird der Präsident der Konferenz Europäischer Kirchen (KEK), Pfr Jean-Arnold de Clermont, zugleich Präsident des Bundes der Protestantischen Kirchen in Frankreich, als Vertreter der KEK teilnehmen.
Das Präsidium der Konferenz Europäischer Kirchen schliesst sich bei seiner Sitzung in Västerås (Schweden), 6.-10. April 2005 den Gedanken an, die der Katholikos Aller Armenier, Karekin II, und Katholikos Aram I in ähnlicher Form wiederholt zum Ausdruck gebracht haben: die unglaublichen Greueltaten gegen die Menschlichkeit im Zusammenhang mit dem Genozid an dem armenischen Volk dürfen nie in Vergessenheit geraten. Schuld muss eingestanden werden und die Wahrheit muss ausgesprochen werden. In der Aufarbeitung der eigenen Geschichte liegt der Schlüssel zur Vergebung, zur Heilung bitterer Erinnerungen und für die Eröffnung einer gemeinsamen Zukunft.
Das Präsidium der KEK schliesst sich dem Ökumenischen Rat der Kirchen an und ruft alle KEK-Mitgliedkirchen auf, 'den 24. April als einen Tag des Gedenkens an den Völkermord an den Armeniern zu begehen und angemessene Aktionen im Zusammenhang mit dem 90sten Gedenktag an dem armenischen Volk zu erwägen'. Die Kirchen in Europa und weltweit können eine bedeutende Rolle spielen, indem sie Räume der Begegnung eröffnen und Versöhnungsprojekte unterstützen.
Das Präsidium ruft die türkische Regierung dazu auf, einen Prozess der Versöhnung zwischen dem türkischen und dem armenischen Volk einzuleiten, in dessen Verlauf die Anerkennung von Schuld und das Aussprechen der Wahrheit eine entscheidende Rolle spielen müssen. In diesem Zusammenhang begrüsst die Konferenz Europäischer Kirchen die Ankündigung von Premierminister Erdogan, die türkischen Archive zu öffnen. Es wird entscheidend sein, dass sowohl türkische und armenische als auch unabhängige Forscherinnen und Forscher vollen Zugang zu allen entsprechenden Dokumenten haben.
Wir rufen die türkische Regierung ausserdem dazu auf, Bedingungen zu schaffen, die eine ehrliche und offene Debatte in der Öffentlichkeit wie auch in den Bildungseinrichtungen über die dem armenischen Volk zugefügten Straftaten, Deportationen und Massakern ermöglichen.
Greueltaten und kriminelle Akte sind auf dem Gebiet der heutigen Türkei nicht nur gegen das armenische Volk, sondern auch gegen andere christliche und ethnische Minderheiten begangen worden.
Am 1. Oktober 2005 werden die Beitrittsverhandlungen zwischen der Europäischen Union und dem türkischen Staat beginnen. Wie die Konferenz Europäischer Kirchen schon in ihrer Verlautbarung zum Türkeibeitritt am 3. Oktober 2004 festgestellt hat, muss die Türkei die Kopenhagener Kriterien voll erfüllen und die Beitrittsverhandlungen müssen von einer ehrlichen Aufarbeitung der Geschichte begleitet sein, insbesondere von einer Aufarbeitung der Geschichte der Türkei mit ihren Nachbarstaaten und den begangenen Verletzungen und Angriffen. Das ist eine Voraussetzung, um Wunden der Geschichte zu heilen und eine wirkliche Versöhnung in der Gesellschaft ermöglichen. Diese Voraussetzung ist in der Türkei unseres Erachtens noch nicht gegeben. Das Verhältnis mit der armenischen Minderheit sowie mit anderen christlichen und ethischen Minderheiten im eigenen Land ist in diesem Zusammenhang von besonderer Bedeutung.
Die Konferenz Europäischer Kirchen wird die Beitrittsverhandlungen zwischen der Europäischen Union und der Türkei sorgsam begleiten. Die Europäische Union hat sich als eine Gemeinschaft von Staaten gebildet, die auf den Menschenrechten, Demokratie und Rechtsstaatlichkeit beruht und sich in ihren Dokumenten zu Werten wie Gerechtigkeit und Frieden, Solidarität und Pluralismus, Versöhnung und Toleranz, Meinungsfreiheit und gegenseitiger Respekt verpflichtet hat. Die Gegenwart ist davon geprägt, diese Werte zu einem integralen Bestandteil des täglichen Lebens in der Gemeinschaft zu machen. Die Selbstverpflichtung seitens der türkischen Regierung, diese Werte umzusetzen, nicht zuletzt im Blick auf die Minderheiten im eigenen Land und die Beziehungen zu benachbarten Staaten, muss eine Vorbedingung für den Beitritt der Türkei in die Europäische Union sein".
Büro für Kommunikation der KEK