The Charta Oecumenica has played a crucial role in shaping the European ecumenical agenda for more than two decades. In 2022, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) decided to revise this landmark document to ensure its continued relevance in today’s Europe. A joint CEC-CCEE Working Group updated the text in light of changing circumstances across the continent.
The consultation process
The Joint CEC-CCEE Working Group prepared a first draft of the updated Charta Oecumenica. Following approval by the respective decision-making bodies of CEC and CCEE, the draft was opened for consultation from 1 July to 31 December 2024.
CEC invited Member Churches, National Bishops’ Conferences, National Councils of Churches, Organisations in Partnership, and other ecumenical stakeholders to participate. Churches and ecumenical partners in Europe and beyond were encouraged to discuss the draft within their own contexts and submit contributions.
Responses from churches of diverse confessional traditions were received over several months and helped shape the revised text. All contributions were evaluated by the Revision Group, which updated the document based on the outcomes of the consultation process.
The consultation was a key part of revising Charta Oecumenica, ensuring that the updated text reflects ecumenism in Europe today and supports churches in their common witness and cooperation in the years ahead.
First draft of the revised Charta Oecumenica for consultation
Members of CEC–CCEE Joint Working Group
CCEE
H.E. Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś
Archbishop of Łódź
Fr Luis Okulik
CCEE Social Pastoral Care Commission
Sr Minsey Estelle Mical Sogbou
Chemin Neuf Community
CEC
Ms Lea Schlenker
Protestant Church in Germany (EKD)
Rev. David White
Church of Ireland
Fr Oecumenius Amanatidis
Ecumenical Patriarchate
