Seven hundred and fifty representatives from the Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches in Europe will gather from 15-21 July 2009 in Lyon, France, for the 13th Assembly of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). Coming together around the theme “Called to One Hope in Christ”, delegates from some 120 member churches and 40 associated organisations, together with observers and guests, will review the work of CEC and its Commissions since the 12th Assembly (Trondheim, Norway 2003), set priorities for the next six years, reflect on a possible “vision” for the ecumenical movement in the next two decades and celebrate CEC’s 50th anniversary.

The Assembly opens on Wednesday 15 July at 14h30 with a Gathering Service in the historical church of St. Bonaventure (place des Cordeliers, Lyon 2). Participants will be welcomed by Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, and Father Athanase Iskos, representing the local Church council CREL. The sermon will be given by Archbishop Anastasios, head of the Orthodox Church of Albania, followed by a testimony given by Ms Victoria Kamondji, Vice-President of the Protestant Federation of France.

After the service participants will return to the Congress Centre of the Cité Internationale de Lyon, venue of the Assembly. The work of the Assembly will go on in the following days with business and thematic plenary sessions, group work, hearings and workshops, and prayer.

Each Assembly day will have a different focus:
- Thursday 16 will be the “Hope” day, with reflections on the Assembly theme;
- Friday 17 July will be the “Vision” day, looking forward to the future of the ecumenical movement in Europe;
- on Saturday 18 participants will discuss CEC work priorities for the next sis years;
- Sunday 19 July will be marked by the celebration of the 50th anniversary of CEC;
- Monday 20 July will be the final decision making day, with participants leaving on Tuesday 21 July.

Several speakers will address the Assembly. Among them are Patriarch Daniel from the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and Bishop Wolfgang Huber, President of the Evangelical Church in Germany. For the complete list of speakers and for the detailed programme, please visit the Assembly website at: http://assembly.ceceurope.org (click on tab: Programme).

From 15-20 July the Assembly Press Room will be operating through press releases in English, French and German, a photo service, live video streaming of plenary sessions, blogs and twitter, and an Assembly newsletter.


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The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 120 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.