The European Council of Religious Leaders - a resource for peace

The European Council of Religious Leaders is one of four regional Inter- Religious Councils  (IRCs) within the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) network. The European Council of Religious Leaders brings together senior religious leaders from Europe’s historical religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroastrians as active participants.

The Council, which has 30 members, was founded in Oslo in 2002. The Council is funded by its members and has received project support from The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Religions for Peace (WCRP) is a network of national and regional Inter-Religious Councils (IRC) connected through an international World Council and Secretariat, based opposite the UN Headquarters in New York. The global organisation brings together 51 national and 4 regional IRCs. More  

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ECRL gains participatory status with Council of Europe

27.01.10

The European Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace has been granted “participatory status” with the Council of Europe. The Council will be one of a total of 400 International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) which enjoy this special relationship with the Council of Europe which counts 47 European countries as members and whose main task is to promote democracy and human rights in Europe. The INGOs range from federations of police officers to youth organisations and associations for musicians and artist. “Our new status is an indication that the Council of Europe recognises the value of working with religious groups which are an important part of civil society,” ECRL General Secretary Revd Vebjørn Horsfjord said.   >>>

Pope Benedict XVI visits the Great Synagogue of Rome

17.01.10

For the first time in his pontificate Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 17 January crossed the river Tiber in Rome to visit the Jewish community. He is the second pope to visit the Great Synagogue in the city. The Pope acknowledged the work of his predecessor Pope John Paul II and stated that he wishes the good relationship between Catholics and Jews to continue by naming the relationship an authentic fraternity and referring to the Ten Commandments and the love of God and neighbour. He also repeated his wish for peace in the Holy Land and for all humanity and remembered his visit in Jerusalem 12 May 2009.   >>>

Interreligious council launched in Belgium

18.12.09

In the presence of HRH Princess Mathilde of Belgium the Belgian Council of Religious Leaders was launched at a ceremony in the Belgian Federal Parliament on Thursday 17 December. The leaders of major religions in Belgium signed the founding document of the council and expressed commitment to continue to strengthen interreligious relations in the country.   >>>

Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, Bishop Emeritus of Oslo

Lutheran

Dr. Gunnar Stålsett is the Moderator of the
European Council of Religious Leaders. 
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