Global Ministries

With deep concern and sadness, the Conference of European Churches received the news of shooting in Strasbourg, where according to media reports, a gunman opened fire at a Christmas market on 12 December 2018, killing three people and wounding thirteen.

For some years, the churches and works of the Protestant Federation of France have sounded the alarm bells denouncing the violence of the growing social injustice in the country. Inequalities are growing ever deeper with more and more people sinking into precariousness and misery.

Rescuing lives and saving memories by Daniele Naso and Francesco Piobbichi, MH staff

Rome (NEV), 9th May 2018 – “Outlook from the Border” is a feature managed by those working for and collaborating with Mediterranean Hope (MH) – Programme for Refugees and Migrants created by the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI). This week’s Outlook comes from the search and rescue (SAR) zone in the Mediterranean Sea. » Read more

Written by Alfred Jones*

The French love anniversaries, and this year French Protestants have taken advantage of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation to stage a number of commemorations. Last weekend, for example, the Protestant Federation of France sponsored a two-day international colloquium entitled “Convictions and Engagements.”

The FCEI-Mediterranean Hope Project was Awarded The Global Ministries Award of Affirmation. NEV Agency

Marta Bernardini, MH’s operator was there as Mediterranean Hope representative, and she said: "We are honoured to receive this award by a so important international partner, who supports us in this difficult work we have been doing. Together as churches that want to witness the Gospel but know the challenges of our time, we try to break the isolation and the defeat that often pervades us, by remembering each other where we want to stay and what we want fight.“  Read more...

Click here to read Ms. Bernardini's full remarks in accepting the Award of Affirmation.

The National Synod of the United Protestant Church of France has adopted a new confession of faith during its meeting in late May.  The text (in English) is as follows:

French Humanitarian Corridors: Words of Welcome from the President of FCEI, by Nev.it

From February 2016 to date, the Italian pilot project promoted by the FCEI, the Tavola Valdese and the Community of Sant'Egidio has brought about 700 Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Italy. By means of the tomorrow agreement, the French government is committed on Lebanon by ensuring for the next 18 months 500 humanitarian visas to the Syrian citizens who are in a position of vulnerability: families with children, single women, sick or disabled people. Likewise the Italian experience, even the French humanitarian corridors are the result of the ecumenical cooperation between Protestants and Catholic organisations: the FPF(Fédération Protestante de France), the Community of Sant’Egidio, the French Bishops 'Conference, the Entraide Protestante and the Secours Catholique.  Read more...

Arrivals from Lebanon continue. Another 40 people arrive at Fiumicino on Monday, NEV

The youngest was born one month ago. Her name is Stéphanie and she is Syrian, but was born just a few kilometres north of Beirut (Lebanon). On 30 January, together with her family, she will arrive at Fiumicino by air and not by boat, as part of the “humanitarian corridors” project.  Read more...

With shock and great distress, the Conference of European Churches has received news of the attack in the church of St-Etienne-du-Rouvray (France). The violent attack resulted in the death of Fr Jacques Hamel and two other persons. Several members of the congregation were also wounded, one critically.

An elderly French priest celebrating Mass was taken hostage, along with two nuns and several laypersons, today in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray and killed before two hostage-takers’ themselves were killed in confrontation with police, the French interior ministry reported today.