Reflecting on the past, analysing the present and generating a vision for the ecumenical future of Europe were the aims of the "Future Conference" held in Lyon, France, last week.

The gathering was a step towards the 13th Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), which will also take place in Lyon in July 2009.

Some 80 participants from 23 countries, and representing Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches traditions, took part in the Future Conference, together with sociologists, communicators and representatives of the European Institutions. Women and men were equally represented, and the participation of youth and members of "migrant churches" was particularly visible.

"It was a new and creative experience for CEC," stated the CEC Assembly Secretary, Smaranda Dochia. "It was a chance for the CEC of today to put itself seriously under discussion while establishing visions for its future."

Among the challenges mentioned during the discussions, were the need for a credible witness of churches in the public sphere, to find a "prophetic voice" in changing times, to tackle issues such as secularisation, growing individualism, rebirth of nationalism and extreme regionalism, the gap between rich and poor, unemployment, climate change, migration, and new ethical issues.

Visions for the ecumenical scene in 2029 also included: one ecumenical body in Europe, the recognition of baptism and the sharing of communion among all churches, majority churches supporting minority churches, and solid bridges with Muslim communities.

As tools for facing the challenges and achieving the visions, participants mentioned the need to foster ecumenical cooperation and interreligious dialogue, to ensure wide ecumenical formation, to involve all churches and include Roman Catholics and evangelicals in the ecumenical bodies, to use CEC as a forum where challenging and dividing issues could be discussed, to involve the grassroots of the churches, to work for the integration of Europe beyond the EU, and to create links of solidarity with all regions of the world.

"As CEC prepares to celebrate our 50th anniversary we are determined to build for the future so that CEC can remain a key player in the European ecumenical scene," said the Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary of CEC. "The Future Conference was able to help us in shaping our vision for the coming decades. We shall now build on that in preparation for the decisions which must be taken by our next CEC Assembly in July 2009".