The conference in Visby

Introduction

From June 11-14, 1998, the THEOBALT IV conference took place in Visby on the island of Gotland, Sweden. The theme for this conference was "Folk-churches in the Baltic region - their origins, culture and mission in the society of today and tomorrow".
There were representatives at the conference from churches in every country bordering on the Baltic Sea, a total of approx. 70 participants. Based on the theme, invitations had been sent to the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches.

Thanks to a long history in the area – in some cases over a thousand years – these church traditions have, naturally, contributed to, and in many cases, been a leading force in forming society in areas such as art, music, legislation, as well as daily manners and customs.
In a time of upheaval on political, social, and economic fronts all around the Baltic, the responsibility and purpose which these churches– individually and jointly – have in the society of today and the future becomes a very pertinent issue.

The cities of the medieval Hanseatic League have in recent years established a network involving culture and commerce in the historical trading region. In the summer of 1998, their representatives were gathered in Visby. In connection with this conference, a meeting among the ecclesiastic contacts in the region was also requested. In this way, the Theobalt IV conference came to be held parallel with the Hanseatic cities’ annual meeting, resulting in an unusual number of visitors to Visby from all over Europe and the Baltic region. Some of them attended the Theobalt conference seminars, but even more attended the church services, which received special mention in
the Hanseatic Days programme.

Interspersed among the seminars there were a number of other features. For instance, two lectures described Gotland’s historical and present position in the Baltic Sea region. These lectures were beneficial in painting an overall picture of Gotland for the Theobalt gathering while, at the same time, linking it to the Hanseatic Days conference underway and its network.

Historical background: From a clergy meeting to an ecclesiastic meeting place.

Theobalt began with a motion to the clergy meeting in Visby in 1979, suggesting that informal, consultative meetings be arranged between the regular clergy meetings. Bishop Tore Furberg realised at the same time, how the religious community on Gotland could be enriched by external experience. This awareness combined with the 1979 motion became the foundation for an exchange with the churches in the neighbouring region. The first meeting was held in 1983. The aim was to create a theological fellowship based upon discussion and personal contacts. The name was minted at the same time – "theology
around the Baltic Sea" which in English resulted in the abbreviation Theobalt.

The theme of the first meeting was "Church services of tomorrow in yesterday’s churches". It was, in principle, a Gotlandic clergy meeting supplemented with guests from several Baltic churches. Of the Iron Curtain countries, only guests from the Lutheran church in East Germany were present. By 1988 the fellowship had already expanded to include lay persons. Political developments favoured the Theobalt idea and, all counties in the Baltic Sea region – if not all churches - were represented at the meeting in 1994.

Lay people’s entry on the scene complemented theological knowledge with other specialist knowledge, making it possible to more thoroughly penetrate the views and role of the church on certain key issues in society. This was especially true of Theobalt III in 1994, that focused on environmental issues, in particular, the "state of health" of the Baltic Sea with the theme "Respect Life – Take Care of the Baltic Sea".

Laying the foundation for a Baltic Sea ecclesiastic fellowship

Due to the changed political situation at the time of Theobalt III in 1994, there was a belief in the future inherent in the meeting and fellowship. Discussions came to deal spontaneously with the possibility of establishing a more long-term, organised form of co-operation between the churches in the Baltic Sea region. The idea of an ecclesiastic network was presented and the diocese of Visby was entrusted with the task of developing the proposal. Initially, the aim was to hold a conference in the year 2000, but the above-mentioned Hanseatic Days in Visby changed our plans.

Aside from Hanseatic Days, Theobalt IV was also initiated from another direction. During a conversation at the Bishop’s residence in the summer of 1997 with the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Jan Eliasson, the possibility of churches working for peace and reconciliation between countries as well as individuals in the Baltic region was discussed. From this perspective and, not least, due to its geographic position, the diocese of Visby was challenged by the 1994 Theobalt conference’s vote of confidence to take the initiative in continuing building a network with the churches in the countries surrounding
the Baltic Sea.

Several parties interested in the Baltic Sea fellowship also joined together to finance the conference. On the recommendation of the Department of External Affairs, the Swedish Institute contributed over 300,000 SEK. Assistance was also forthcoming from the European regional development fund, under the auspices of Target 5-b Gotland. The central council of the Swedish church also provided funds and, among other things, the congregation of the Cathedral in Visby invited all the delegates to a meal. In addition, the Diocese contributed from its own coffers, although the basic premise was that the invited churches should pay for their delegates. Many churches are still not able to meet this requirement, but have to depend upon the generosity of joint conference funds.

When the conference invitation had been sent out, the response from the church leaders testified to them anticipating this kind of initiative. The Swedish diplomatic representatives who were visited and informed of the arrangement were just as enthusiastic. In several cases they were able to directly assist with preparations by taking personal contact with the invited churches. This was an enormous asset and without their help it would hardly have been possible to contact all the participants and distribute the invitations and information to the present extent.

From the very beginning it was made clear that Theobalt IV should be matter of interest for all participating churches. A network is built up of different experiences and points of view. Therefore one representative from each church tradition was invited to a pre-conference meeting in Tallinn at the beginning of April. At that meeting the main outline of the programme, including the themes for the four seminars, was laid down and possible lecturers suggested.

Theobalt IV –the role of the church in society, present and future

The idea of Theobalt IV was to offer a meeting place providing the opportunity for churches to take part in each other’s origins, traditions, experiences and visions and, using that as a starting point, develop an awareness of the churches’ role in society now and in the future.
It was also hoped that discussions would provide a base for understanding and that respect for each other’s distinctive character would strengthen the Christian fellowship in the Baltic region.

Without a doubt, this aim was essentially fulfilled. Discussions never created opposing camps, there were no major confrontations and no irrevocable statements were issued. There is no denying that there were differences of opinion in certain issues, but these were met more with acceptance rather than as the source of question and argument.

The conference took place in the Cathedral parish hall and consisted of four seminars each with their own sub-theme. For each sub-theme, three or four participants had been contacted and requested to present a short introduction which was followed by 1-1½ hours of discussion.
The main language was English with Russian and German as alternates. The introductory speech and contributions to discussion were simulta- neously interpreted.

The first seminar with the theme, "Part of a culture" provided an interesting insight into the different conditions under which the churches exist. It became very obvious that the expression folk church is not universal. Historical perspective and relationship with the State makes for obvious differences noticeable even between, for example, Denmark and Finland.

At the second seminar "The mission of the folk churches in the Baltic Sea region", Jan Eliasson was invited as a guest speaker. Beginning from the general political situation he presented a non-ecclesiastical perspective on the seminar theme which, in summary, presented a challenge for the conferen- ce delegates and their churches. "You are the bearers of common cultural and Christian values. You have the opportunity of taking part in the creation of an open, integrated Europe with justice and solidarity.
Churches can create contacts between people. Working together gives security. Nowadays people are unsure of their identity and this is an area where churches have an important mission."

Christian values in the Baltic society of today was the theme for the third seminar.
Lithuania, Sweden, Finland and Estonia all reported that the once self-evident Christian moral values have lost their status among the local population. At the same time there is a growing quest for more spiritual values.

It was unanimously agreed that the churches have much to offer in this respect if they can remain true to their own beliefs and make it clear that moral values stem from God. At the same time, the individual who approaches his task as God’s helper can manifest these fundamental values, since every person is created in God’s image.
Thus, solidarity becomes an important key issue in Christian tradition. However, the crucial issue will be making it clear that it is more than just a question of values. Christian solidarity must be expressed in real-life everyday living situations.

At the fourth seminar Dr. Hilarion Alfyev from the Patriarch in Moscow analysed the current situation of the church in the region. He emphasi- sed, amongst other things, that there is a great deal of common history which unites, while, at the same time, many churches now find themselves in a re-construction phase after the fall of the Iron Curtain. This must be allowed to take time especially since such different conditions exist.
He also pointed out the need, even now, to be observant of discrimination against minority churches, wherever it takes place.
Finally he called attention to the anti-ecumenical forces which exist in Russia. He emphasised that these must be understood against the background of the present religious situation in the country and dealt with in light of existing circumstances.

The seminar directed its attention forwards based on the theme, "Making fellowship visible – visions for the future".
A positive belief in continued fellowship through the present form of Theobalt prevailed throughout the seminar, summarised by Bishop Jonas Jonsson’s words: "We will increase our knowledge of each other and strengthen the spiritual life in our churches making the Baltic Sea a Mare Ecumenicum."

The Youth Conference

Youth and their situation in present and future Europe was an important feature of the Hanseatic Days programme. There was, amongst others, a discussion point about value principles.
This became one of the reasons for inviting the churches in the Theobalt conference to send youth delegates as well. In this way, Visby also became a meeting place for some 20 young people from different churches.
The programme for this youth conference was partly co-ordinated with Youth Hansa, to give the opportunity for making contacts and
links of friendship with youth from all over Europe.

One of the many seminars on the Youth Hansa programme was directly linked to religious and ethical values with the theme "Respect for the unusual". During one certain session, the church leaders’ seminars were summarised for the Theobalt-youth and they were allowed the opportunity to present their own views.

The experience of dividing Theobalt into separate conferences for the church leaders and the youth delegates was not completely positive. The youth delegates also expressed a harsh criticism of the arrangement. They expressed both an interest in and desire to influence the continued church fellowship. This experience must be taken into account in the continued Theobalt-fellowship and suitable solutions must be made possible.
Despite the difficulties, the presence of the young people in Visby undeniably meant an positive new turn for the Theobalt-idea, not least as a first step towards building a future dimension into the ecclesiastical network.

…. with prayer and praise

At every Theobalt conference the church services have been an indispensable feature. This is also true of Theobalt IV. The inauguration service took place on the courtyard outside the south wall of the Cathedral with hymns, responsive readings, and prayer.
As a part of the church service, a tree was planted in the Cathedral grounds – a strong symbol for belief in the growing power embodied in the ecclesiastic fellowship around the Baltic Sea

Later in the evening a well-attended Taizé mass was celebrated in the Cathedral. The second and third day morning prayers were held following first the Catholic, then the Orthodox, orders of service.
Aside from these, there were also ecumenical divine services that were announced in the Hanseatic Days programme.
On Saturday evening the ecumenical vespers that were held in the Cathedral became a multilingual manifestation of ecclesiastic brotherhood.

Sunday’s round of church services began on Strandgärdet with ecumenical morning prayers.
After that people walked to their respective churches to take part in the service of their choice.
A festive service was held in the Cathedral with Bishop Björn as celebrant. Superintendent Manfred Selle from Soest in Westphalia delivered the sermon.

During the entire conference the Catholic congregation in Visby celebrated mass daily in their church.
It was especially impressive on Sunday, when the congregation celebrated their patron saint’s day with, among other festivities, a procession through the town. It was a unique occasion for the congregation with no less than three foreign bishops present, aside from their own Bishop Hubertus Brandenburg.

Conference results

Theobalt IV produced many different results. Not least, quite simply – as many delegates remarked upon – the significance and joy of being able to meet across traditional ecclesiastic borders and in such informal ways.
Moreover there was a general consensus on many issues without making any formal decisions.
Among those worth mentioning:

	Work with establishing an ecclesiastic network around the Baltic Sea must continue.

	The Diocese of Visby is delegated the task of continuing to co-ordinate this task.

	All churches ought to take part in the effort, perhaps in a standing committee which meets yearly. The committee’s task would be to encourage contacts and exchanges between churches and individual Christians at different levels, as well as preparing future conferences.

	A new conference will be organised within three – five years.

Theobalt – ecclesiastic network and personal meetings

An important aim with a widespread church fellowship in the Baltic region is to bring about contact and exchange between dioceses and congregations as well as individual Christians.
Direct meetings will increase the opportunity to understand other traditions and cultures.
This is important in the interests of peace and conciliation, just as it is important in strengthening the Christian fellowship and in offering a common moral ground.

At present and even more so in the future, modern technology will play a large part in contact and communication between individuals. Internet and other IT-activities provide us with great opportunities which must not be left untried.
Even while discussing visions for the continuation of Theobalt during the conference, expectations were expressed that the Diocese of Visby should produce a web site for Theobalt within the framework of its own IT-development. Here too, Helge Andeshuset has excellent facilities for this.

The new technology is a tool which allows people from different cultures, living far from each other, to meet in a new way. Theobalt is, however, primarily a personal meeting between people of the Christian faith and fellowship. This principle must be maintained and therefore work continues.

The other churches have entrusted the Diocese of Visby with leading this task. It is not a question of building up formal structures but rather a functioning network for fellowship between churches and individual Christians across traditional national and religious borders. The Catholic bishop of Riga, Janis Pujats expressed Theobalt’s importance clearly and simply:
"Of course we must safeguard everything that gives Christian people the opportunity of meeting and getting to know one another. This is a prerequisite for the common future of the church in our region."