(ENI) – Pope Benedict has given his support to a gathering of Europe's main Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in 2007 saying he hoped it would help promote awareness of Europe's spiritual roots.
"Europe needs to rediscover its Christian roots, making room for ethical values that are part of its rich and well-established spiritual heritage," the pope told church leaders from different denominations attending the opening event in Rome for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly which will culminate in Romania in Sept. 2007.
Delegates to the Rome assembly had joined the pope the day before for prayers to mark the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
And German Lutheran Bishop Margot Kaessmann, in her keynote speech, warned that attempts by churches to differentiate themselves from one another weakened their common witness in European society.
"In an age when so many religious currents are flowing into Europe, from Islam to Buddhism, from the esoteric to patchwork religion, Christians' common witness to their faith needs all the more to be recognisable," said Kaessmann.
She noted that, "Particularly in facing the great ethical challenges of our time, we should seek common positions "highlighting issues such as biotechnology, assisted suicide, energy policy, and refugees."
