December 21, 2004

STRASBOURG, France/GENEVA - A joint assembly of the synod of the Reformed Church of Alsace and Lorraine (ERAL) and of the upper consistory of the Church of the Augsburg Confession of Alsace and Lorraine (ECAAL) voted by a large majority in favor of establishing the Union of Protestant Churches in Alsace and Lorraine (UEPAL).

At the November 20-21 joint assembly in Strasbourg, France, ECAAL's upper consistory cast 20 votes in favor of forming the new organization with one abstention. The Reformed synod voted 26 in favor and three against the union with one abstention. The UEPAL is not intended to be a merger, nor the founding of a new church. It will support the churches in their mission of proclaiming the gospel in society "convincingly and audibly," ECAAL stated in a press release.

The new structure as underlined in the signatory document, will allow the churches "to better combine their efforts to give new impulse to their presence in the public and to better serve the gospel calling." To come into force, the union must be confirmed by a French government decree.

ERAL Synod President, Rev. Jean-Paul Humbert, spoke to the joint assembly about the "necessity of a critical and liberal interpretation of the biblical message" which "takes scientific and social progress seriously." Both churches were called to "provide saving guidance which leads the world along the path of freedom." He remarked: "In a world in which peace is elusive, we have taken a small step toward a reconciliation and a greater communion."

The union of the two churches was a first step on and contribution to this path, underlined ECAAL President, Rev. Dr Jean-Frangois Collange. He expressed appreciation of the joint assembly decision saying the adoption of the union "makes it possible for us to take the major steps together." He noted, "We are moving forward in a difficult world, and that is why we came together along the way. Getting here required arduous and frank debate, and we could only advance by making compromises."

The joint assembly resolved that the UEPAL should not intervene in the internal affairs of the congregations, consistories or districts. The basic structure of the two churches would remain intact and both churches would maintain their membership such as in international bodies, according to the ECAAL statement.

In order to give better expression to the churches' common identity in the name UEPAL, it was resolved to change the churches' names. When the Union comes into force, the ECAAL will be the Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Alsace and Lorraine (EPCAAL) and ERAL the Protestant Reformed Church in Alsace and Lorraine (EPRAL).

In addition, the joint assembly of the synod and upper consistory resolved that, for church purposes, there would only be pastors of the Union in future and not of the individual churches.

A Union synod will govern all issues relating to the new body and will replace the joint assembly. The plan provides for the joint church authorities to appoint a council which will meet in both expanded (15 members) and smaller (6 members) forms. All governing bodies shall be composed of two thirds of elected members from EPCAAL and one third from EPRAL. At present, membership in the joint assembly includes an equal number from each church.

The legislative bodies of both churches (synod and upper consistory) shall delegate their main decision-making responsibility to the Union synod. The financial authority of the Union synod shall remain limited for the time being.

Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, president of the French Protestant Federation remarked: "Finally, the1973 Leuenberg Agreement is bearing concrete fruits. This union is no confusion, it brings richness together."

The 210,000-member ECAAL joined the Lutheran World Federation 1947. The ERAL with 33,000 members, belongs to the Geneva-based World Council of Churches and World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Both churches are affiliated to the Leuenberg Church Fellowship.

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