Pavel Pokorný new chairman of the Ecumenical Council of Churches

Pavel Pokorný, synodal senior of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, has become the new chairman of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic (ERC). He was elected at the ERC general assembly, which took place at the Evangelical Methodist Church in Prague-Nové Město.

„This is a great responsibility and a sign of trust for me. Even though there are differences between us and it is not always easy to agree, I know from my own experience that our churches are able to come together in personal openness, authenticity, and mutual acceptance. I hope that this will continue to be the case,“ said Pavel Pokorný on his election. He added that he particularly wants to nurture the development of relations with the Czech Bishops‘ Conference. 

At the head of the organization, which brings together 16 Christian churches and the Federation of Jewish Communities, Pavel Pokorný will replace Tomáš Tyrlík, bishop of the Silesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession, who has led the ERC since November 2021. The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren last had a representative on the ERC Presidium in 2017–2021, when it was led by Daniel Ženatý.

In addition to Pokorný, Bronislav Matulík, Vice-Chairman of the Council of the Brethren Church, and Ladislav Devečka, Bishop of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession, will also sit on the newly elected ERC Presidium. Martin Moldan, Bishop of the Apostolic Church, was elected as a substitute.

The composition of the ERC Presidium is decided by the ERC General Assembly, which is ist highest body. It meets regularly every year and is composed of delegates from individual member and observer churches.  

The General Assembly also addressed the situation of the Orthodox Church of the Czech lands and decided to temporarily suspend its membership in the ERC. More detailed information is available on the ERC website (in Czech).

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