Programme
First part : context
1.1. Historical [& geographical] aspects
Thursday 24Th August 5.30 pm : Enlightenment, at the roots of present Europe in all its parts (East, West, North, South). Rather than a presentation of the historical period corresponding to the Enlightenment, it should point to the currents that emerged from it: Capitalism and Marxism, Democracy, the emerging self, the adaptation of the Churches and anticlericalism, etc.
– François Bousquet (Catholic Institute, Paris, France)
1.2. Sociological & psychological aspects
Friday 25Th August 9.45 am : “From the 70s to the present days reception and crisis of the Enlightenment”
1.2.1. Individualisation and forming society [practices]:
Possible drawbacks will have to be tackled such as decreasing credibility of religions, institutions and politics, communalism or individualism, indifference, etc..
– Grace Davie (University of Exeter, Great Britain)
1.2.2. Mutation of models [epistemology]:
Highlight a few major changes in world vision & knowledge theory, the role of experience and emotion with regard to reason, ….
– Knut Wenzel (University of Regensburg, Germany)
1.2.3. Spiritual Values shared in Europe / the spirit or the soul of Europe
Then, in a world tending towards globalisation, which are the values which the Europeans believe in and share to-day? Pluralism & unity.
– Tomas Halik (Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic)
1.2.4. 11. 45 am : 2 counterpoints on the previous papers:
– Orthodox point of view: Anastasia Vassiliadou (Kalymnos, Greece)
– Pentecostal point of view: Allan Anderson (University of Birmingham, Great Britain)
2.45 pm : Roundtable with the morning speakers
Second part : consequences for the Churches
2.1. Ecclesiological and pastoral aspects:
Friday 25th August 4.30 pm : A first part should consist in an exposé which will analyse the effects of the Enlightenment on the different Christian Churches’organisation and practices in one European region.
– Mechteld Jansen (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
5.30 pm: Two counterpoints by members of “foreign” communities in France: African and Orthodox
– Majagira Bulangalire (Pastor, Cambrai, France)
– Patriciu Vlaïcu (Romanian Orthodox priest, Nice, France)
6.00-7.30 pm : Participants will meet in language groups and analyse the case of other European regions using the model given by the speaker through her analyse.
Third part: What Mission?
3.1. Saturday 26th August, 9.00 am : transversal biblical study
– Francisco Pérez Herrero (Faculty of Theology, Burgos, Spain)
11.30–12.30 : Missiological perspective : What testimony? What presence of the message? All the above questions lead to more theological et pastoral formulations towards a mission shaped mentality.
– Kai Funkschmidt (Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland, Deutschland)
2.00 pm : review of the morning paper in language groups
Sunday 27th August, 2.45 pm:
3.2.1 Question 1: Mission shaped forms of presence – what kind? Where? How?
– Darrell Jackson (Conference of European Churches, Budapest, Hungary)
3.2.2 Question 2: a Mission shaped Liturgy – What liturgy, what languages, what music? What new forms of ritual/symbols/expression can touch our contemporaries – especially the youngsters?
– Andras Lovas (Gaspard Karoli Reformed University, Budapest, Hungary)
3.2.3 Question 3: What ministers, What ministries, What communities can answer those challenges? To be a Christian community before being a Church congregation?
– Peter Lodberg (University of Aarhus, Denmark)
3.2.4 Question 4 : Mission in Europe and Universal Mission (reciprocity, partnership,…)
– Elisabetta Ribet (Pastor, Waldensian Church, Palerme, Italy)
4.45 pm : Workshops
Fourth part: conclusion
Monday 28th August, 9.00 am
4.1. Counterpoint by a “major witness” from the South
– Léonard Santedi (Catholic Faculties, Kinshasa, DR Congo)
4.2. Conclusion: towards a missionary posture of the Church (listening group).
4.3. Official closing
2.00 pm : end of the conference
For an impression in pictures visit AFOM.org