EUROPE : CHURCH LEADERS MEET FOR OLYMPIC PLANNING

IND. CATH NEWS REPORT:
CTE Presidents statement for 2012 Games

Presidents of Churches Together in England and Wales
Leaders of the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran and Free Churches in England and Wales, issued the following statement today, marking six months before the start of the London Olympic Games.

2012 is a year of celebrations in England. The Olympic Torch Relay, the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen, the Olympiad and the Paralympics will provide opportunities over the four-month period of May to September for people to gather and celebrate together in ways which will both enhance and deepen community life.

As the Presidents of Churches Together in England, on behalf of all its members, we rejoice that so many of England’s churches are committed to being at the heart of these celebrations and are already preparing practical ways to build and support communities in their localities. In the build up to the Olympics and Paralympics, the work we are doing through our own denominational staff, and through the work of More Than Gold (UK) is unprecedented. More Christian communities from different traditions than ever before are coming together to plan practical ways of serving the project of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which can bring many and diverse benefits.

The end of this week of prayer for unity amongst Christians (18-25 January) also marks six months until the 2012 Games officially begin. At this significant moment we reaffirm our commitment made ten years ago in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen to work towards the visible unity of all Christians in the one faith, expressed in common discipleship, worship, witness and service.

signed by

The Revd Michael Heaney, Moderator, the Free Churches Group
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
The Rt Revd Jana Jeruma-Grindberga, Bishop, Lutheran Church in Great Britain.
The Most Revd Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster

(Presidents of Churches Together in England and Wales)

Source: CTE
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=19719

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