As the Central Committee Meeting of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) is now underway in Greece, the new General Secretary of CEC has been elected. The Venerable Colin Williams, Anglican Archdeacon of Lancaster, England, was elected on 6th June, according to a press release.

Archdeacon Williams will officially take up the post in December 2005 from his predecessor, Dr. Keith Clements, who will retire at the end of November 2005 after eight years of service. He will be responsible for providing "executive leadership and strategic thinking" for a fellowship of 124 church denominations and 43 associated organisations across Europe, from his office in Geneva.

Born in 1952, Archdeacon Williams was ordained in 1981 and served in parishes in the North West of England. He has held the position of Archdeacon of Lancaster in the diocese of Blackburn since 1999. He is also a member of the General Synod of the Church of England.

Throughout the ministry of Archdeacon Williams, he has had a close relationship with Europe churches; in particular he can speak both German and French. He is the European Link Officer and Rural Officer for his diocese. He is a member of the Meissen Commission, which works towards full, visible unity between the Church of England and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD).

Archdeacon Williams’ contribution in ecumenical relationships in his pastoral work was praised by the Rt Rev Ian Cundy, Bishop of Peterborough and Chairman of the Council for Christian Unity of the Church of England.

Rev Cundy said, "I am delighted that the Ven. Colin Williams has been appointed to this important ecumenical post. It will help to strengthen the existing links between the Church of England and the Conference of European Churches."

"Colin Williams has a lively concern for the unity of the Church and has been a key member of the Council for Christian Unity of the Church of England. He has also served on the Meissen Commission, which is responsible for developing the relationship between the Church of England and the German Lutheran and Reformed churches. He is therefore already familiar with the work of CEC and the life and witness of the churches in mainland Europe. I wish him well as he takes up this new appointment."

Upon his appointment, Archdeacon Williams is very excited with the new post and about the future of Europe in the proclamation of the Gospel.

He commented on the role for Europe in today's society, "Europe stands at a crossroads. Throughout our continent women and men are entering into debate about the sort of Europe we must now build. The churches of Europe have a distinct contribution to make to that debate as we argue for a Europe which is open, which is compassionate, which is just, which above all is in touch with its spiritual heritage. In short, in our continent the Gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be heard and to be lived out."

"CEC has done so much since its launch in 1959 to enable the churches of Europe to grow in fellowship with each other. That means that we have been able more and more to act together and to speak with one voice. I feel myself very privileged to be invited to play my part in enabling that work of bringing together the churches of our continent to develop and grow," he continued.

The Central Committee meeting of CEC commenced on 3rd June in Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece and it will close this Friday.