|
Press release Theobalt V 14-17 June 2001 Church leaders around the Baltic Sea discussing the enlargement of the EU
This is the fifth time that the diocese of Visby will be hosting a conference in a series of meetings called Theobalt, “Theology in the Baltic region. Theobalt is a network that wants to further mutual understanding and strengthen relations between the three main Christian traditions around the Baltic. It wants to develop the contributions of the churches to the life and culture of the nations and also work for the protection of the environment. Around 60 delegates will meet during four days representing Russia, Finland, Estonia Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. There will be discussions and church services (please see the attached programme) under the theme “The Churches around the Baltic Sea – their contribution to the region in a time of change”. Every participating church from the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran tradition has a maximum of three delegates in the conference, with at least one youth representative. The Swedish bishops of Visby and Strängnäs, Biörn Fjärstedt and Jonas Jonson, are hosting the Theobalt conference. Among the participants are archbishop Janis Vanags, Latvia, bishop Seraphim from the Russian orthodox church, and Rimantas Norvila from the Roman Catholic church in Lithuenia. The conference starts on Thursday 14 June at 15.00 with a short openingservice with a symbolic act outside the cathedral of Visby. After the service the discussions will begin with an introduction by bishop Biörn Fjärstedt at 16.15 in the Parish house. Press conference On Thursday 14 June at 14.15 in the Parish house (Församlingshuset) in Visby there will be an opportunity for the press to meet the hosts from Visby diocese but also other participants at the conference. More information For more information please see the website http://www.svenskakyrkan.se/stift/visby Background information Theobalt is a network of more than 20 Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran churches in the Baltic region. Originally it was introduced by the diocese of Visby as part of its international work. The idea was to offer a platform for dialogue about current issues in society from a theological perspective. The first in a series of conferences was held in 1983. In 1998 more than 70 participants assembled in the fourth conference. At that time the topics for discussion were the situation in the rural areas, the environmental situation in the Baltic Sea and the role of the churches in the societies of the region. During recent years Theobalt has developed into a network. The working method is very informal. The diocese of Visby, with its geographical position, has taken the responsibility for keeping the network together. More than 20 churches in nine countries in the region are cooperating, among them the Orthodox church in Russia, the Catholic church in Poland and Lithuania and the Lutheran church in the Baltic states. Other activities in Visby during Theobalt The Russian orthodox church is arranging cultural activities during and after Theobalt. In the programme there are lectures, an exhibition of icons, church services and excursions around Gotland to places where early traces of orthodox influences can be found. A meeting of pastors working with the defence forces in some of the countries in the region will also take place at the same time as the Theobalt conference. |