The 14th General Assembly of the Conference of European Churches was held in Budapest, Hungary, July 3rd to 8th, 2013. It was attended by about 230 representatives of Christian Churches from all over Europe. The theme of the Assembly was the verse taken from Acts (22:16), “And now, what are you waiting for? – CEC and its Mission in a Changing Europe.” During the proceedings of the previous Assembly in Lyons, member Churches discussed the need for the reorganization of CEC, knowing that Europe is in constant change. For this reason a group was chosen called the “Revision Working Group”. The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania was also represented there as a member. This group, after four years of work and meetings, developed and presented a revision proposal in Budapest of a vision and a new structure for CEC, in order that could progress and meet its goals, relative to the interests and needs of the member Churches in its assembly.The goal of the Budapest Assembly’s agenda was the presentation, discussion and approval of this new structure presented by the “Revision Working Group”, as well as the approval of a constitution, which will be an important step towards the fulfillment of CEC’s mission. One important point of discussion was the issue of the transfer the offices of CEC from Geneva to Brussels, which was approved by all the participants of the Assembly as an immediate necessity.
The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, as a member of this very strong Christian organization for many years, was represented by three delegates: Deacon Gregory Pelushi, Ms. Elisa Deco, and Ms. Sonila Rëmbeci (former member of the Presidency and of the Central Council of CEC, 2009-2013), and Giovanna Rusi who was a steward.
During the proceedings of the Assembly, meetings were held between representatives of different Christian Churches participating in the Assembly, as well as visits were made to local churches in Hungary, whom were hosting this great and very important event.
The Assembly concluded its meetings with a new Central Council, which under the new structure of CEC there are 17 members of the Council, the President and his two deputies. Bishop Christopher Hill from the Anglican Church was election to the position of president and the two Vice-Presidents are Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the Very Rev. Karin Burstrand, from the Church of Sweden.
Sonila Rëmbeci
