Estelle Sogbou, a member of the Chemin Neuf community, participated as a theologian in the revision of the European Ecumenical Charter. She shares with us the fruits of this labour.
On 5 November, the revised European Ecumenical Charter was signed in Rome, almost 25 years after the first one. This event brought together leaders of various churches in Europe at the Abbey of the Three Fountains in Rome, the historic site of St Paul’s beheading. The signatories were the presidents of the two Christian bodies, the CCEE (Council of European Episcopal Conferences) and the CEC (Conference of European Churches). The celebration was followed by an audience with Pope Leo to hand him the document in person.
Personally, I had the joy of participating in the revision process as a Catholic theologian and member of the Chemin Neuf Community. There were six of us theologians (two women), specifically three Catholics, one Orthodox, one Anglican, and one Lutheran. This three-year journey allowed us not only to work on the document itself, but also to experience friendship in the Lord through our meetings.