Churches in western Europe should oppose the hugely negative aspects of the neoliberal economic system that dominates the world. That was one of the main conclusions of a consultation held in Soesterberg in June 2002 and hosted by the Council of Churches in The Netherlands. Ronald Bolwijn reports on the meeting, and Ulrich Duchrow reflects on some of its difficulties.

According to the 80 participants, the exclusive character of the neoliberal market economy leads to intolerable inequality between people and to the destruction of the environment. This division between poor and rich and this ecological destruction are a violation of the gospel of life in its fullness for all. The conference called instead for an economy in the service of life: markets and money should enable the exchange of goods in order to satisfy human needs and contribute to the upbuilding of human community.

At the consultation, the representatives of western European churches also spoke about what member churches can do themselves in order to reduce the negative aspects of the global economy. A list of proposed "actions for churches" was made. This list will be sent to the churches, as an attachment to a letter in which the results of the consultation will be presented. Among other proposals, the churches are being challenged to examine their own investment portfolios (e.g., of their pension funds). The letter will also challenge the churches to build alliances with partners in civil society who dedicate themselves to justice and respect for God's creation.

This consultation of western European churches was prompted by questions that were raised by churches in the south, and in central and eastern Europe. They asked the churches in western countries to give their opinion on how we are to constitute one body of Christ, in view of the yawning differences in the prosperity of the churches and their members.

In letters to the churches in the south and churches in central and eastern Europe, the representatives of the western European churches acknowledge that their churches have done too little to oppose the negative aspects of the neoliberal economy, and they commit themselves towards covenanting for justice in the economy and on the earth.

Ineke Bakker, general secretary of the Council of Churches in The Netherlands, said that it was very important that the western European churches should join together in their reflection on globalization and their efforts to counter the negative aspects of the global economy. "The consultation in Soesterberg gives strong support to the activities of the Dutch churches for justice, peace and creation," Bakker declared. To support the activities of local congregations on this topic, the Dutch Council of Churches has published a leaflet on globalization, entitled "Economy in the service of life".

The results of the Soesterberg consultation will be presented to the international ecumenical organizations under whose auspices the consultation took place - the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, and the Conference of European Churches - so that they can be fed into their ongoing work and enrich their forthcoming assemblies and councils.

Ronald Bolwijn