Protestants seek a distinctive voice in Europe
Protestant pastor: There is a specific Protestant source of ethics, particularly towards freedom and responsibility, which could be helpful in discussing contemporary issues in Europe
Tuesday, October 17, 2006

The newly-elected general secretary of Europe's largest grouping of Protestant churches says that he wants to strengthen the "Protestant voice" in European affairs, while also stepping up dialogue with other religious traditions – reports Ecumenical News International.

"There is a specific Protestant source of ethics, particularly towards freedom and responsibility, which could be helpful in discussing contemporary issues in Europe," explained the Rev Michael Buenker, who takes over in January 2007 as general secretary of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe.

Mr Buenker, a 52-year-old Lutheran pastor, was speaking following his election in September at the general assembly in Budapest of the coalition, which has 104 European Protestant churches in membership. the rest