Press Releases
ESTONIAN PRESIDENT CHALLENGES THE CHURCHES
More than 50 church leaders from 15 European countries met this week in Tallinn, Estonia to explore together the challenges of ‘Church leadership in a changing world.’
During the five-day consultation, representatives of the Porvoo Communion met with the President of Estonia, Mr Arnold Ruutel. He acknowledged that Christianity had heavily influenced Europe.
He said: “Today on the threshold of the twenty-first century both Europe and the entire world face new challenges.”
In the discussion that followed the President asked the churches to consider how they could help the European process.
The meeting followed an intensive programme where members witnessed for themselves the work of the Estonian church and their commitment to the pressing social issues facing this country in the midst of rebirth.
The Rt Revd John Neill, the Bishop of Cashel and Ossory and Co-Chairman of the Consultation, said: “I visited a church run hospital and was humbled by the dedication, professionalism and compassion of the medical director, given her very limited resources. Surely she is a model to us of how Christian leadership can shape and change today’s society.”
The consultation focused on the increasing role all Christians play in their communities – both local and national, and agreed to give priority to work with children and young people.
Mrs Leni Bjorklund, a senior lay official of the Church of Sweden, said: “It is exciting that we can cross church boundaries to tackle critical issues of common concern.”
Mr Hugh Burgess, a consultant with a leading international management consultancy, facilitated the conference.
For further information please contact:
The Revd Sven-Bernhard Fast
Co-Secretary of the Porvoo Contact Group
Church of Sweden
SE-75170
Uppsala
Sweden
Tel: +46 18 16 96 86
The Revd Dr Charles Hill
Co-Secretary of the Porvoo Contact Group
Council for Christian Unity
Church House
Great Smith Street
London
SW1 3NZ
Tel: +44 207 898 1474