Press Release No: 12/24
17 July 2024
Brussels

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) highlighted the theme "Security, financial, political and legal protection of worship places and cultural heritage" at its 11th Summer School on Human Rights. The event, held from 7 to 10 July in Malaga, Spain, was hosted by the Ecumenical Centre Los Rubios.

Part of CEC Pathways to Peace initiative, the summer school focuses on peacebuilding in Europe and advocating for the protection of religious and cultural sites. Participants received advanced training on crisis management and security for worship places and cultural heritage.

CEC President H.E. Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain stated, “We live in a time when museums are returning stolen treasures, yet churches, monasteries, and other religious and cultural sites are being burned, destroyed, or repurposed. We, as Christian communities, cannot sit idle and must take action. This issue affects not only churches but also other religious communities.”

“CEC provides a forum to educate people about this problem and to guide and assist in finding solutions. We aim to offer insights, open new doors, build bridges, and explore the legal tools available.”

"European institutions must ensure the protection of places of worship in Europe and beyond," said Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, CEC General Secretary. "We urge the EU to strengthen dialogue with religious communities and understand the challenges posed by ongoing conflicts and in post-conflict areas."

Discussions covered complex cases of protecting worship places and cultural heritage during wars and conflicts. Participants examined legal and political trends in Europe concerning the protection of churches, synagogues, mosques, Buddhist temples, and other religious sites.

The summer school stressed that reconstruction and rebuilding of worship places require adequate financial support. Experts from the European Investment Bank, Ecumenical Church Loan Fund, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provided insights into financial and legal frameworks. They proposed steps for CEC to raise awareness among financial institutions about the need for rebuilding religious infrastructure in countries like Ukraine, Cyprus, Republic of Artsakh, Kosovo (1244), and Turkey.

The summer school explored how the rise in populism and extreme political parties in Europe adds to security threats, alongside current conflicts. The increase in anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim, and anti-Christian sentiment raises the risk of attacks on worship places, worshippers, and religious leaders.

As part of the project Safer and Stronger Communities in Europe, participants received training from Nicole Wood, Deputy Director of the Centre for Faith-Based and Neighbourhood Partnerships within the US Department of Homeland Security. She emphasised, "The protection of places of worship and cultural heritage is critical as an expression of religious freedom. The faith community must support those suffering mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, and legally."

The Summer School on Human Rights has been held annually since 2013.

For more information or an interview, please contact:

Naveen Qayyum
Communication Officer
Conference of European Churches
Rue Joseph II, 174 B-1000 Brussels
Tel. +32 486 75 82 36
E-mail: naveen@cec-kek.be
Website: www.ceceurope.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ceceurope
Twitter: @ceceurope
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