Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy July-August 2018 newsletter
Waldensian and Methodist Synod. Eugenio Bernardini reconfirmed moderator for the seventh year
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018- “This Synod began with two actions of prayer and solidarity: towards migrants and towards the victims and displaced persons of Genoa. No priority on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, identity, but priorities only according to need, priority to the neighbor knocking on our door”, said Pastor Eugenio Bernardini, reconfirmed as moderator of the Waldensian Board.
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018 – August 31 was the last day of work for the Synod of the Methodist and Waldensian churches in Torre Pellice (Turin). The Synod has given directions to churches and communities on the protection of the environment, on human rights, on the fight against mafias and against feminicide, on the social and cultural commitment.
Refugees: Europe must return to defend human rights
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018 – On the eve of the Synod of the Waldensian and Methodist Churches in Italy, the moderator of the Waldensian Board, Eugenio Bernardini, and the President of the Evangelical Church of the Hessen-Nassau region (Frankfurt area), Volker Jung, met in Torre Pellice (Turin), to discuss current social challenges.
Synod. Communion, mission, justice: to be a church in Europe today
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018 – “Commission, mission, justice: to be a church in Europe today” was the event promoted by the Waldensian board on the sidelines of the Waldensian and Methodist Synod’s works.
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018 – “’To present an annual report’ is not only a democratic practice that allows bottom-up checking, the transparency of the decision-making process and the assessment of the objectives decided together, it is also a precise theological choice that focuses on the responsibility of the Church”. These are the words of Eugenio Bernardini…
The Sociological Survey on the Ecclesiastic Resources and Statistics has been presented
Rome (NEV), August 31, 2018 – “The Sociological Survey on the Ecclesiastic Resources and Statistics” (RI.SO.RSE), presented on August 28 at the Synod of the Methodist and Waldensian churches of Torre Pellice (Turin), represents mainly a great adventure …”
The Synod adheres to the FCEI’S Welcome Manifesto
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018 – The Synod of the Methodist and Waldensian Churches approved the Welcome Manifesto presented last August 8 by the Council of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI). “Every form of racism is a theological heresy”, says the document.
Synod. The greetings of Pope Francis and of Msgr. Maurizio Malvestiti
Torre Pellice (Turin) August 31, 2018 – With a message signed by his own hand, Pope Francis sent his greetings to the Synod of the Methodist and Waldensian churches, opened on Sunday afternoon August 26 in Torre Pellice (Turin), expressing “the fraternal closeness of the Catholic Church”.
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018 – The Synod of the Methodist and Waldensian churches started on Sunday afternoon of August 26, in Torre Pellice (Turin), with the traditional procession from the Waldensian House towards the temple. The preaching of pastor Emanuele Fiume, during the opening worship, was against the “cultural sin”…
Torre Pellice (Turin), August 31, 2018 – Bishop Ivan M. Abrahams and Gillian M. Kingston, respectively secretary general and vice president of the World Methodist Council (WMC), bestowed the prestigious “World Methodist Peace Award” to the Methodist Churches’ Work organization in Italy (OPCEMI), for its constant and convinced commitment to and for migrants and refugees.
#PonteMorandi. The condolences of the evangelical churches for the bridge collapse in Genoa
Rome (NEV), August 22, 2018 – “We join in the condolences for the victims of the collapse of the Morandi bridge in Genoa and express our closeness to the families and affected communities, rescuers and doctors still involved in relief efforts”, declared the president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI ), Pastor Luca Maria Negro.
Paolo Naso: Unintentional racism
Rome (NEV), August 18, 2018 – “No other topic like migration occupies the pages of newspapers and monopolizes the political debate. It has been so for some time by now, but the news of the past few days recorded an escalation of violence and aggression that cannot but worry”… [Dr. Paolo Naso is a member of the Common Global Ministries Board of Directors, representing the Europe region.]
Abolition of the Mancino law? Immediate the “no” of the moderator of the Waldensian Board
Rome (NEV), August 18, 2018 – “Wrong, inappropriate and untimely”, so the moderator of the Waldensian Board, pastor Eugenio Bernardini, commented on the proposal of the minister for the family and disability Lorenzo Fontana, immediately seconded by vice premier Matteo Salvini, to cancel the “Mancino” law approved in 1993 to counter gestures, actions and slogans linked to the Nazi-Fascist ideology.
#apriteiporti (open the harbours). FCEI President: “Solidarity with NGOs rescuing at sea”
Rome (NEV), August 3, 2018 – “In these days the asylum right is questioned as it never happened before”. The president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), Pastor Luca Maria Negro, expresses his disconcertment, for this Italy which “aspires to the leadership of the countries that close the borders, reject migrants and oppose those who work for reception and integration”.