Deep connection between Christian ethics and health and healing was emphasised by Rev. Sören Lenz, Executive Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). He was participating at the World Council of Churches (WCC) consultation, which discussed the role of churches and faith communities in advancing people’s health and healing, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was held from 13 to 15 October at the EKD office in Berlin.
“We need a prophetic voice when it comes to new developments in the field of bioethics like Artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing and genome editing,” said Lenz.
“We can’t close eyes on issues that lie on the top of the agenda in science and technology, because eventually critical questions related to humanity, human dignity and life will always emerge. Everyone has the right to be healthy, and a healing Church is concerned by both soul and body. It recognises human beings together with their integrity and relationships,” he added.
Reflections on health and healing are significant, especially in view of the upcoming 11th Assembly of the WCC in 2022, Karlsruhe, Germany. CEC Strasbourg office, through its Thematic Group on Science, New Technologies and Christian Ethics, headed by Prof. Julija Vidovic works on topics related to bioethics, and looks forward to contribute to dialogue on this important theme.
CEC’s work on bioethics is connected to the work of the Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO) of the Council of Europe, where CEC holds a participatory status.
