General Bishop of the ECAC in Slovakia Miloš Klátik attended at the traditional New Year´s Meeting, where were accepted representatives of Churches and registered religion communities by the President in the President Palace in Bratislava.
Traditional New Year´s acceptance was lead in sign of sense of belonging. President Andrej Kiska in his speech said:
„In the European Union, we have found ourselves in yet another crisis testing our unity, the strength and foundations of our European project. It has tested how good people we are; whether we can live up to our ideals; whether we truly believe in humanity and in helping those in need. Despite the turbulent developments, different political positions and tensions, Europe has managed to carry on so far. Honest to say, we can always do better. I am sure everybody is aware of the fact, we either make it together or we fail alone one by one. ... But attacks on each and every one of us who believe in freedom and democracy. We were once more reminded how fragile our sense of security is. How important the true political leadership and courage are to act, to explain and to calm down the public in the middle of heated political debates. And last but not least we have painfully learned that extremism, xenophobia, religious or ethnic hatred are not fading chapters of the history of Europe, but they are clear and present challenges we have to face. Because these dangers go far beyond terrorism.“
General Bishop greeted president on behalf of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Slovakia and particularly on behalf of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia. He mentioned significant and important anniversary, which we will be remembered in year 2016, for example 470th anniversary of the Prešov Synod; 200th anniversary of birth J. M. Hurban; 5th Evangelical Church Days in Békéscsaba, with the goal to encourage our compatriots abroad and put stress to our fellowship; 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. He emphasized, that Christians can´t look indifferent at the situation around them. We all bear the responsibility for the way in which we show our faith in relation to other people, especially those one in need, on the edge of society and refugees. He pointed out, that Presidium of the ECAC initiated the project – Adoption the families of refugee in church congregations of the ECAC in Slovakia. For families of refugee were created temporary housing in missionary centre in Veľký Slavkov.
Photo: www.prezident.sk
