Op 14 maart jl. had de Vlaamse Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog een ontmoeting met minister Bart Somers en zijn kabinet over de oorlog in Oekraïne en hoe de levensbeschouwingen hulp kunnen bieden aan de geschatte 120.000 vluchtelingen die Vlaanderen zal opvangen. De gezamenlijke verklaring leest u hier.
Responses to the war in Ukraine in the Anglican diocese and Episcopal convocation
Although modest in size, the canonical Anglican structures in Europe are addressing the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine following the illegal Russian invasion. You can read the Diocese in Europe's response through the link on this page: March eNews: Ukrainan Special - Latest News (anglican.org) and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe's ongoing response to the European migrant crisis on this page: Migrants and Refugees | The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (tec-europe.org)
Also, the chaplain of the Anglican parish in Moscow has written to colleagues in the Diocese in Europe: the letter can be read here.
Visit of Flemish Government officials to the Central Committee
On 11th March, Mr Sven Henry (R) and his team, from the Information and Screening Service from the Flemish Region, visited the Chaplain-President, the Secretary and Mr Eric Sibomana to discuss the implications for the Anglican parishes in Flanders of the new decree on the recognition of the local faith communities. A warm and cordial discussion took place on the history and place of the Anglican tradition in Flemish society.
Holy Trinity Brussels Community Kitchen
As the humanitarian crisis following the Russian invasion of Ukraine worsens, every act of human and Christian support becomes precious. Among such terrible suffering, the Central Committee takes joy in the role played by the Community Kitchen at Holy Trinity Brussels in providing up to 650 meals per day for refugees in the city, now including an increasing number of Ukrainians.
Overleg / Concertation issues statement about the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The Overleg Christelijke Kerken in België / Concertation des Eglises Chrétiennes en Belgique, currently chaired by the Chaplain-President, has issued this statement in Dutch and French following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian armed forces. We continue to hold all those who are suffering so terribly following this invasion in our fervent prayers.
Chaplain-President nominated as reviewer of theological colleges and courses
On the nomination of Bishop Robert, the National Ministry Team of the Church of England (https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/diocesan-resources/ministry-team ) has appointed the Chaplain-President as a Bishops' Reviewer for Ministerial Training, one of a team of reviewers who ensure that the theological colleges and courses which train Church of England clergy are performing their ministry effectively (https://www.crockford.org.uk/listings-section/theological-education-institutions ). Canon McDonald will serve in this part-time role from 2022-2026.
Covid measures and code yellow
The Overlegcomité/Conseil de Concertation of the various governments in Belgium has announced that from 7th March the country will go into code yellow on the Covid barometer. Most Covid restrictions are being cancelled: for our parishes this means that there are no longer restrictions on mask wearing, social distancing and the number of people allowed in our buildings at one time. The Central Committee does however call on everyone to remain vigilant, Covid has not completely gone yet!
The legal texts from Staatsblad/Le Moniteur can be found here (FR, NL).
Our ED11 can be read here.
Statement by the FIDIF on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
The Central Committee is a member of the FIDIF (Federale Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog/Dialogue Interconvictionnel Fédéral), the informal committee which joins the Recognised Religions and the Laïcité/Vrijzinnigheid in Belgium. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Chaplain-President signed this joint statement on the Anglican Church's behalf:
De erkende levensbeschouwingen in België veroordelen de inval in Oekraïne
De vertegenwoordigers van de federale interlevensbschouwelijke dialoog (FIDIF) zijn geschokt door de ellende en het lijden die aan de Oekraïense bevolking toegebracht worden. Onschuldigen worden het slachtoffer van grove schendingen van het internationaal recht. Democratische fundamenten worden vertrappeld. Minderheden worden het zwijgen opgelegd en vervolgd. Degenen die, in naam van de rechtstaat, deze inval weerstaan, verwachten concrete daden die getuigen van de solidariteit van de internationale gemeenschap.
Als vertegenwoordigers van de erkende levensbeschouwingen in België, mobiliseren we onze gemeenschappen:
- om slachtoffers en vluchtelingen te helpen
- om bij te dragen tot het verspreiden van waarheidsgetrouwe informatie, uit betrouwbare bronnen
- om politieke gezagsdragers ertoe aan te sporen het recht na te leven en dialoog boven geweld te verkiezen.
Les convictions reconnues en Belgique condamnent l’invasion de l’ Ukraine.
Les représentants du dialogue interconvictionnel fédéral (FIDIF) sont choqués par la misère et les souffrances infligées au peuple ukrainien. Des innocents sont victimes de la violation brutale du droit international. Les fondements démocratiques des droits de l’homme sont bafoués. Des minorités sont muselées ou persécutées. Ceux qui, au nom de l’Etat de droit, résistent à l’invasion attendent des gestes forts, manifestant la solidarité de la communauté internationale.
Comme représentants des convictions reconnues en Belgique, nous mobilisons nos communautés :
- pour venir en aide aux victimes et aux réfugiés ;
- pour coopérer aussi à la diffusion d’informations correctes, issues de sources fiables ;
- pour encourager les responsables politiques à faire respecter le droit et à poursuivre le dialogue.
Jack McDonald - Anglicaanse Kerk - Eglise Anglicane
Carlo Luyckx - Boeddhistische Unie - Union Bouddhiste
Véronique De Keyser - Centre d’Action Laïque
Philippe Markiewicz - Israëlitisch Consistorie - Consistoire Israélite
Guy Harpigny - Katholieke kerk - Eglise Catholique
Freddy Mortier - De Mens.nu
Mehmet Ustun - Moslimgemeenschap - Communauté Musulmane
Metropoliet Athenagoras - Orthodoxe Kerk - Eglise Orthodoxe
Steven Fuite & Geert Lorein – Protestants-Evangelische Eredienst – Culte Protestant et Evangélique
Overleg Christelijke Kerken in België/Concertation des Eglises Chrétiennes en Belgique
During 2022 and 2023, the Central Committee presides the Concertation/Overleg, which is in effect the Belgian Council of Churches. On Thursday 3rd March, the Chaplain-President chaired a meeting of the Concertation/Overleg at Holy Trinity Brussels, where one of the observers on the Central Committee, the Revd Sunny Hallanan, was a delegate (along with Canon John Wilkinson from Brussels) and the Secretary took the minutes. The main agenda-item was the response of the Christian Churches in Belgium to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Meeting Gevangenisaalmoezeniers/Aumôniers de prison
On 28th February, the Anglican prison chaplains team met at Holy Trinity in person for the first time in over a year (because of the pandemic restrictions). To mark this special occasion, they had lunch together afterwards.
Meeting Centraal Comité/Comité Central
On 28th February, the Central Committee met in person at Holy Trinity Brussels to discuss a full agenda of topical items.
Prayers for peace
The Central Committee shares the widespread revulsion felt at the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces last week. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and we pray for peace and security for all. We shall gladly participate in the prayer service for Ukraine being organised by Bishop Robert and the Anglican chaplaincies in Kyiv and Moscow on 1st March at 19:00 CET - details can be found here.
God in heaven, give us peace and make us instruments of your peace.
Emoena België study day at HTB
On 23rd February, Emoena held its study day at HTB about the image of God. Lunch was provided by our very own Community Kitchen and our MES intern Teus introduced the work of CK to the particpants. In the afternoon there followed the now famous art atelier, led by a Brussels collective.
Anglican Theology course at KU Leuven
On 22nd February, the Chaplain-President taught the first class in the Anglican Theology master's course at KU Leuven (https://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/syllabi/e/A07L5AE.htm#activetab=doelstellingen_idm6477024 ). This year, students from Belgium, Austria, Greece, Serbia, Russia, Nigeria, India, Taiwan and the USA will have the opportunity to learn more about the Anglican tradition from Thomas Cranmer to Rowan Williams.
Meeting of the chefs de culte/hoofden erediensten
On 22nd February, the Chaplain-President and the Secretary attended a meeting of the heads of the recognised religions, again hosted by Metropolitan Athenagoras of the Orthodox Church, to discuss matters of common interest, this time for the Flemish Region.
New Covid measures from 18-19th February 2022
Meeting of the chefs de culte/hoofden erediensten
On 15th February, the heads of the recognised religions, including the Chaplain-President, met to discuss topical matters. They were hosted by Metropolitan Athenagoras, the official representative of the Orthodox Church in Belgium.
Meeting of the VILD
On 4th February, the Chaplain-President, the Vice-President and the Secretary attended a meeting of the Vlaamse Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog to discuss subjects of interest, where responding to the new Flemish legislation on the financing of religions and living creatively through the next stage in the pandemic were significant agenda items.
Meeting with the Ministry of Justice about Covid regulations
On 3rd February, the Chaplain-President and the Secretary, along with representatives of the other Recognised Religions and laïcité/vrijzinnigheid, met with officials from the Ministry of Justice to agree a common document to explain how places of worship and of moral support will respond to the softening of the severity of the pandemic.
Breakfast with Sammy Mahdi
On 2nd February, the Chaplain-President and Bishop Robert attended the annual interfaith breakfast organised in Zaventem by the Roman Catholic charity Sant'Egidio (Home - Sant' Egidio (santegidio.be) ) for the chefs de culte/hoofden erediensten to meet and discuss with a prominent public figure. The guest this year was dhr. Sammy Mahdi, Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration. A full, frank and cordial conversation took place on the issues of migration, integration and creating Belgian identity. The Central Committee is very grateful to our friends in Sant'Egidio for organising and hosting this precious annual event.
