The ECC’s objective is «to inspire, encourage, motivate and facilitate the promotion of Church renewal, Christian unity and evangelization throughout Europe.»
A press statement said that the ECC council, together with guests, reflected during the Oct. 9-13 event on how they could respond to John Paul II’s call «to put out into the deep.»
Catholic theologian Father Peter Hocken reviewed the strategies proposed, highlighting points of convergences and differences on the theme of repentance for the sins of the past.
Dan Juster, a Messianic Jewish theologian, discussed the history of Messianic Jewish movement, and shared his insights into «Toward Jerusalem Council II,» an initiative of repentance and reconciliation between the Jewish and Gentile segments of Christianity.
At the Rome meeting, Pentecostal pastor Peter Dippl of Berlin, who had served as co-chairman of the ECC for 12 years, announced his retirement.
He was succeeded by Pentecostal pastor Olaf Franke, also of Berlin, who will now join Catholic co-chairman Kim Catherine-Marie Kollins, a member of the Community of the Beatitudes.