Ecumenical News International News Highlights 05 February 2003

European church leaders at emergency meeting reject war on Iraq

Geneva/Berlin (ENI). A high-level emergency meeting of European church leaders in Berlin has rejected the use of military action against Iraq, saying that a war would have “unacceptable humanitarian consequences” including the possibility of unleashing a civil war and major unrest in the whole Middle East region. “We appeal to the Security Council to uphold the principles of the UN Charter which strictly limit the legitimate use of military force,” said the church leaders in a statement presented in Berlin just hours before the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, was due to address the Security Council in New York on the issue of Iraq. [778 words, ENI-03-0049]

US Christian leaders take step towards new church alliance

New York (ENI). Christian leaders working to expand ecumenical unity in the United States have taken a further step towards creating a new national body of churches. Fifty-five church leaders representing 30 denominations agreed at a meeting on 29 January in Pasadena, California, to form a new alliance, which currently is being called “Christian Churches Together in the USA”. The new body is intended to include Episcopalian (Anglican), Evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. [305 words, ENI-03-0047]

Swiss church affiliation down – except among immigrant groups

Geneva (ENI). The number of Swiss residents who say they have no religious affiliation has increased sharply over the past three decades, and the country’s two traditional churches are feeling the effects. More than 11 per cent of the country’s 7.3 million population belong to no religious group, according to the 2000 census report recently published by the Federal Statistics Office. In 1970, this category accounted for only about 1 per cent of the population. The drop in religious affiliation is a particularly urban phenomenon, with twice as many city dwellers as rural residents claiming no religious identity. [428 words, ENI-03-0050]

Believers worried new law could force churches to keep atheists on staff

London (ENI). Some Christian believers are aghast at possible legislation that could force churches in Britain to keep atheists or even Satanists on their staff. The Equal Treatment Directive, European Union legislation that Britain plans to adopt this year, bans employment discrimination on grounds such as religion, belief or sexual orientation. The legislation would allow churches to claim an exemption when appointing staff on the basis that Christian belief is essential to the ethos of the organisation. The evangelical Christian Institute says, however, the exemption will not apply when dismissing staff. [337 words, ENI-03-0048]

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