An assessment of the English churches' engagement with Europe since 1939

Abstract

The aim of my thesis is to offer an assessment of the English Churches' engagement with Europe since 1939. My first two chapters set the context for the Churches' engagement with the European union by outlining the principal European political developments and issues since 1939.In chapters 3 and 4, I assess the key Christian contributions since 1939. Chapter 3 focuses on the thinking of Bishop Bell, Archbishop Temple and A.C.F. Beales; as well as the contributions to the debate made by 'Sword of the Spirit’, The Tablet newspaper, and the 1967 British Council of Churches’ report. Christians and the Common Market. My fourth chapter concentrates on the developments in English ecclesiastical engagement with Europe since 1973. I analyse the official denominational reports published since the late 1980's, together with other church publications, such as those contained within church newspapers, theological journals and essays. I also assess the particular contributions made by Cardinal Hume, David Edwards and Philip Ludlow. In chapter 5, having highlighted the deficiency of English ecclesiastical engagement with Europe in previous chapters, my 'diamond model' describes ways in which individual Christians, the Churches as institutions, and theology can play a role in responding to the situation. In particular I explore the implications of the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers as it may relate to Europe; as well as the need to re-affirm a theology of Community for Europe. It is my argument that a multi-faceted approach needs to be employed if the Churches are effectively to engage with Europe in the future. This inevitably means that far greater personnel, financial, and theological resources must be given by the Churches, if Europe is to be taken seriously in the future. It remains to be seen whether the English Churches are sufficiently committed