During the Eleventh General Episcopal Synod,
hereinafter referred to as GES-11, Bishop Warnon extended an invitation to the GES that
the next Synod be convened in Belgium, as holiday resorts in the beautiful Ardennes offer
conference facilities at much reduced rates from September onwards. Other than the
magnificence of the Ardennes, there are also other reasons why it would appear to be
opportune for the GES to meet in Belgium. Europe is a continent of its own. Its relatively
small geographical area is the home to eight Church Provinces, including the Province of
Great Britain and Ireland. There are also unattached groups of Liberal Catholics in Italy,
Portugal and Andorra, as well as enquirers in other territories such as Poland and Russia.
Brussels is now the capital of Europe. Mapping out distances to some
major far-off places, Lisbon is 2100 km (1300 mi) away from Brussels, Stockholm 1600
km (1000 mi), and Rome 1500 km (940 mi). On the outer periphery of the Liberal Catholic
presence in Europe lies Slovenia of the former Yugoslavia, 3200 km (2000 mi) away,
distances easily covered by Europe’s vast rail, road and air infrastructure.
Liberal Catholics of the host Province always have an advantage in
participating in inter-national events on their soil. In this case, how-ever, the host
Province should be seen as the Greater Province of Europe, forging closer links across
cultural and language barriers as has never happened before. As the Australian Province
extended a warm welcome to Liberal Catholics from all over the world in 1996, so Europe
should do the same in 1999.
While Belgium has become the hub of the European Community, there are
also other cogent reasons why the Belgian Province would like to see an international
event taking place on their soil. The Roman Catholic Church is still a powerful player in
the political arena in Belgium, her bishops and clergy at times having been obstructive in
allowing other Christian faiths taking their rightful place in society.
Hence the Liberal Catholic Church in Belgium has by law been prohibited
from owning property and is still not entitled to receive bequests or even take
collections. There are now pressures afoot that Belgium at least recognises international
church organisations. Having a GES in Belgium would therefore be a show of force, which
might not at all be that un-timely.
Borzée
The proposed site is the conference centre in Borzée in an attractive
area at the end of a dead-end road leading to a forested hillside. The accommodation for
delegates consists of a number of units, each having 16 bedrooms with a choice of
facilities, i.e. 2 – 4 beds per room, some en suite, shower and toilet, some also
provided with a bath. The communal dining room has a magnificent view of the valley.
Provided that there are sufficient bookings, the conference centre, which is some distance
down the road, is available at no extra cost. It contains a large hall suitable to serve
as a chapel, a similar hall at ground level for activities such as aerobics, and a number
of meeting rooms of various sizes.
The state-run organisation has a staff of 15 people, amongst them
qualified people to look after children, guide educational trips into the forest or to the
aquarium, and various other forms of entertainment for young and old. There is also a
camping site in close vicinity to the conference centre, ideal for the younger generation
to have the joy of camping and be able to take part in the work of the L.C.C. at the same
time. The following programme is at this stage a thumbnail sketch only. Setting a date is
of first importance.
Proposed dates:
Saturday 15 September 1999, p.m., till
Saturday 29 September 1999, p.m.
Week 1: GES-12, with parallel sessions of the International Church
Congress and International Clerical Synod (Bishops participating as during GES-11 in
Sydney)
Week 2: GES-12, with concurrent workshops and seminars for all, bishops
attending from time to time. With permission of the Dutch Province, this might perhaps be
combined with the celebration of King’s Week, traditionally held at the International
Theosophical Centre of St. Michael and All Angels in Naarden, the Netherlands.
The first tentative booking for the conference facility is required by
the beginning of 1998 if the L.C.C. wishes to ensure her preferred time slot. Comments as
to the suitability of venue and dates would be very welcome. It is really hoped that the
support from Provinces in every part of the world will be at least as good as was the case
with GES-11 in Sydney.
Bishop Maurice Warnon has offered to be the co-ordinator and will
present a budget shortly. In order to ensure that the organising committee will be truly
representative of The Liberal Catholic Church in Europe it should have representatives
from some other Provinces in Europe besides Belgium. Those wishing to offer their services
should contact Bishop Warnon directly.
