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Belgian Region I. Establishment and History In 1970 a few Belgians were members of IEF in association with the Dutch and the French Regions. Brother Roger Reuse was one of them and at the International Conference in Dinard he was chosen as a member of the Council (the international executive) intending to form a Belgian Region. In 1976 there was a meeting in Torhout (Groenhove) to prepare the International Conference in Malonne (1976).The Belgian Region was officially recognized at the International Conference of Malonne (1976). It was agreed to appoint a temporary committee (without elections) consisting of a chairman (J. P. Lauwers, Brussels), vice-chairman (Sister Teresa Leemans, Brussels), treasurer (Francine Fiévez, Brussels) and a secretary (J. J. De Vaere, Brussels). As Belgium is a bilingual country, there were 2 secretariats on contact addresses: For the Dutch-speaking region: the Ecumenical Chapel, Boeveriestraat 18, Bruges (Brother R. Reuse); for the French-speaking region: Foyer Oecuménique, rue Monrose 37, Brussels (Brother Marie-Joseph). IEF-Belgium is a modest IEF-region, subscribing entirely the core values and aims of the International Ecumenical Fellowship. II. Regional meetings 1976 (autumn) On the Ryckevelde estate, in Sijsele (near Bruges). Among other things it was decided to hold two regional meetings annually preferably alternately in Flanders and Wallonia. 1977 (spring) Saint Martens Bodegem, Election of the regional committee: Chairman I. P. Lauwers, secretary for Flanders: Sister T. Leemans; for the French-speaking: Miss Francine Fiévez; treasurer: Miss Francine Fiévez. (autumn) Male, St Trudo Abbey 1978 (spring) Ellezelles (autumn) Blankenberge, Duinse Polders 1979 (spring) Eau Vive, Brussels (autumn) Oostmalle 1980 (spring) Ciney, La Salle. Election of the committee: chairman: R. Reuse; Secretary: Josine Hautfenne; treasurer: Francine Fiévez; Council representatives: J. P. Lauwers and Ds Cor de Beun. It was decided that in the future these would be one regional meeting a year, and one meeting together with a neighbouring region. 1981 (spring) Eau Vive, Brussels (autumn) Bovendonk (NL) with the Dutch Region. 1982 (spring) Oasis, Brussels (autumn) Amersfoort (NL) with the Dutch Region. 1983 (spring) Méry sur Maine (F) with the French Region (autumn) Eau Vive, Brussels. 1984 (spring) English Convent, Bruges (autumn) Rosendaal (NL) with the Dutch Region. 1985 (spring) Chevetogne (autumn) Bovendonck (NL) 5-6 sept. 1986 (spring) Brussels 19-20 april (autumn) 25-26/10 Prinsehof, Bruges (learning about the Coptic Church, Amba Marcos). Secretaries: Josine Hautfenne; Philippe Vanden Bussche. 1987 (spring) 5-6 april, Eau Vive, Brussels (autumn) 19-20 sept. Bovendonk. Flemish speaking together with the Dutch Region. 3-4/10 Versailles French speaking with the French Region. 1988 (spring) 16-17/4 Eau Vive, Brussels (speakers: Ds Pieters; Father Pierre Parré). (autumn) 15-16/10 with the French Region. 1989 (spring) was planned for 15-16/4 but didn't take place due to work-overload of several people. Instead members were invited to attend the homage ceremony for Father Damian on 15th April. Members could attend the French regional meeting in Arras 8-9/4 on the Dutch regional meeting in Huss (Arnhem) on 22-23/4. Announcement on 6/7/89 results of the election of officers. Chairman: Mrs Elizabeth Loze; secretary: Mrs Josine Hautfenne (re-elected); Treasurers: Mrs Francine Fiévez (re-elected). Council representatives: Mrs Phaedra Orlans and Mrs Elizabeth Loze. (autumn) 11-12/11 English Convent, Bruges (speakers: Orthodox Deacon Dominique Verbeke, Prof. Adelbert Denaux). 1990 (spring) 5/5 Eau Vive, Brussels (speakers: Ds Jacques Hostetter, Liberal Protestant church in Brussels; Paul Lebeau s.j.) (autumn) 27/10 Theological and Pastoral Centre, Antwerp (speakers: Ds Pieters Bouman; United Protestant Church in Belgium; Herwig Arts, s.j.) 1991 (spring) 27/4 (autumn) 26/10 Gent: Sisters of Charity 1992 ? 1993 (spring) 20/3 Brussels (autumn) 18/9 Mechelen 1994 (spring) ? (autumn) 24/9 Protestant Cultural Centre Gent (speaker: Ds Geurs) Chairman Mrs E. Loze, secretary: Mrs J. Stacanov. Council Representatives: Mrs E. Loze, Mrs P. Orlans. 1995 (spring) 19/5 Grand Seminary Saint Aubin, Namur (speaker: Abbot Michel Van Parijs, Chevetogne). (autumn) 30/9 Beguinage Bruges (speaker: Mgr Alfred Vanneste, Bruges) 16/9 election results: chairman Prof. Adelbert Denaux; secretary: Mrs Carla Teurlings; treasurer: Mrs Francine Fiévez; press: Mrs Leen Deckers; council representatives: Prof. Adelbert Denaux; Mrs Phaedra Orlans. 1996 (spring) 24/4, Christ Church, Charleroi (Father A. Vaussure; Mrs Claire Ullman) (autumn) the meeting of 19/10 cancelled (summer) August International Congress in Leuven - more than 400 participants of 13 different nationalities - theme: 'Live as children of the Light". 1997 (spring) 3/5 Buurtwinkel of the Bijstandskerk, Fontainasplein Brussels (speakers: Mgr Van den Berghe, ex-deacon of Brussels; Ann Van Steelandt, member of the working group Grass and Pax Christi); theme: reconciliation. 1998 (spring) 18 april: Finisterrae church in Brussels (speaker: Father Pierre Parré; subject: 'The Holy Spirit'). (autumn) in the International Theological and Pastoral (I.T.P.) centre in Wilrijk. (Speaker: M. Hamzan, vice-chairman of Islamic Council in the Netherlands. Subject:'Being a Faithful Muslim). 1999 (spring) 10 april: Finisterrae Church, Brussels (speaker: Peter Carlos Noyen, ocd. Subject: 'Spirituality of Saint Theresa of Avila') (autumn) 6 November: Beguinage, Bruges (speaker: Archimandrite Athenagoras Peckstadt; subject: 'Becoming acquainted with the Orthodox Church'). Elections: chairman Adelbert Denaux (re-elected); secretary: Carla Teurlings (re-elected); Treasurer: Francine Fonteyne (re-elected?). Council representative: Boudewijn Jonckheere (replacing Carla Teurlings). 2000 (spring) 1 May: Hall 'Shalom', Madyolstraat 2, next to the Church of St Lambrechts Woluwe (speaker: Michel Rongvaux; subject: Being together: signs and witnesses of His Presence') (autumn) 4-5 November: Abbey Male, St Kruis-Bruges. Celebration of 25 years IEF-Belgium. 2001 (spring) 21 Mai: Finisterrae Church, Brussels (speakers: M. Rongvaux and Father Hogan of 'Kolbe Trust'; subject: 'What does communion of the Saints mean to us'). Elections: chairman: Mrs Gisèle Laurent; secretary: Mark Favril; Treasurer: Mrs Viérin-Descamps-Katelijn; council representative: Boudewijn Jonckheere. (autumn) 3 November in Leuven. Speaker: Father Ardui; subject 'A Treasure in earthen Vessels'.
(autumn) 3 November: Brabantse Olijfberggemeente, Lange Winkelstraat 5 in Antwerp. Speaker: Ds Egbert Rooze, subject 'Religious and economic perspectives of property and poverty. 'Biblical vision of the economic relationships among people' 2003 (spring) 8 March M. Rongvaux. Speaker: Mr Lichtert on: 'St Mark's Gospel' (autumn) 15 November: St John's Anglican Church, E. Boonenstraat 4 in Ghent. Speaker: Ds. Mark Loos, Rabotkerk; subject: 25 years United Protestant Church in Belgium (V.P.K.B.) 2004 (spring) Canon L. Vermeire: 'Islam in Europe' (summer) 14-19 June, mini-conference: St Trudo Abbey in Male: 40 participants, 5 different nationalities; subject: 'Bridge to reconciliation and forgiveness' (autumn) 26-28 November, St Andries Abbey, Zevenkerken, Sint Andries-Brugge, Bruges. Subject: Th. Merton and the spirituality of ACAT Flandres. Elections: chairman: Mrs Francine Fonteyne; secretary: Mark Viérin; Treasurer: Mrs Katelijn Descamps-Viérin (re-elected); council representative: Mrs Gisèle Laurent. 2005 (spring) 16 April, H. Hart Institute in Halle. Visit to the Basilica, Speaker: Canon Adalbert Denaux on “Fundamentalism” (autumn) 26 November in Bruges. 2006 (spring) 25 March: synagogue Bethe Hillel, rue des Primeurs, 80, Vorst- Brussels 1190. Speakers: Rabbi Abraham Daham and Mrs Chinsky. (autumn) 31 October: Ter Fonteyne, St Godelieve Abbey, Boeveriestraat 47 in Bruges. Speakers: Thaddée Barnas and Adelbert Denaux. Subject: 'The draft Text by the Theological Team I.E.F. on Eucharistic hospitality'. 2007 (spring) (3/3) – Brussels, Finisterrae-Church dependencies – Fr P. Van luffel: Our brothers of the Orthodox Eastern Catholics (autumn) 27/10 – Monasterium De Wijngaard Bruges – Rvd. Perquy: The need of reflection. 2008 (spring) – Brussels, Finisterrae-Church dependencies - 5/4/2008 – 19 participants. Peter Tom Jones, environmental engineer and post-doctoral researcher at KU-Leuven (Catholic University Louvain). Theme: What is happening to our earth? Our guest exposed the ecological challenge that our generation will have to face, the technological aspects of behaviour changes, new visions of alternative energy, mobility and food policy, ethical approach and some astonishing global figures, pointing out that it is nearly too late, if mankind is not acting urgently. Followed by a cram-full question time. In the afternoon, Ann Vermeire introduced us in meditation from a christian point of view, as a possible means to cope with life problems; a very confronting experience. (autumn) 2008 – Benedictine Abbey Zevenkerken (Bruges) 11 & 12/10/2008 – 22 participants. On Saturday morning we visited the Bible House, a very impressing audio- and video exhibition setup of the Bible, a remarkable didactic approach of the Holy Land and the history of the Holy Scripture. Later on we attended Eucharist with the monks of St.-Andrews Abbey. During the afternoon meeting we had once more an environmental issue; J. Tavernier, a former “green” minister, explained why and how ecology and economy are not opponents. Human behaviour has to reckon, not only with “labour” and “capital”, but also with nature. He made a plea of measures and technics to solve the most urgent problems, but principally summoned for individual responsibility of all of us. On Sunday morning, we heard a very touching testimony beared by Gisèle Laurent, on the history of IEF, more especially the time she was Belgian President, International Secretary and the organisation of the Louvain-conference in 1996. (Our 2009 July-issue of IEF-Bulletin brings a report of that event by Paula Meurice, actual secretary of our region). 2009 (spring) - Brussels, Finisterrae-Church dependencies - 25/4/2009 – 17 participants. Adelbert Denaux gave us an explanation on ‘The actual Jewish view on Paul’, followed by a question time. (autumn) – Protestant Church Brussels 3/10/2009 – 18 participants. Morning program: Speaker: Ds P. Evrard. Theme: Calvin, 500 years after his birth, followed by a question-time. An overview of the heritage of Calvin, with emphasis on the historic and tenacious misunderstandings regarding his lifework, statements and opinions. Afternoon meeting: short explanation on the Card. Willebrands-memorial, by Adelbert Denaux; guided tour in the historic “Chapelle Royale” and ecumenical celebration, with the assistance of the local Pastor L. Flachon. 2010 (spring) - Brussels, Finistère-Church dependencies – 13/3/2010 – 19 participants. On the program: Father Th. Barnas from the Chevetogne Monastery explained the actual position of the dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches; afterwards question-time. In the afternoon: Carla and Jacky Teurlings presented an image report on the Moldavia pilgrimage and the Cluj-Napoca Conference 2009. Finally we prepared Lyon conference 2010. III. Representatives Voorzitters/Présidents 1976-1980: J. P. Lauwers, Brussel 1980-1989: P. Roger Reuse, Brugge 1989-1995: Elisabeth Loze, Antwerpen 1995-2001: Adelbert Denaux, Leuven 2001-2004: Gisèle Laurent, Linkebeek 2004-: Francine Fonteyne, Sint-Andries Brugge Ondervoorzitters /Vice-présidents 1976-: Zr. Thérèse Leemans, Brussel Secretarissen/Secretaires 1976-1977: J.J. De Vaere, Brussel 1977-1980: Vl.: Zr Thérèse Leemans, Brussel; Fr.: Francine Fiévez, Brussel 1980-1995: Josine Hautfenne, Brussel 1986- (?): Philippe Vanden Bussche, Brugge 1995-2001: Carla Teurlings, Halle 2001-2004: Mark Favril, Mortsel 2004-: Mark Viérin, Aalter Penningmeester/Tresoriers 1976-1995: Francine Fiévez, Brussel 1995(?)-2001: Francine Fonteyne, Brugge 2001-2006: Katleen Descamps, Aalter 2006-: Frans Maris Council-afgevaardigden/Délegués au Council 1980-: P. Lauwers en Ds. Cor de Beun 1989-: Phaedra Orlans, Gent ?: Carla Teurlings, Halle 1989-1995 Leen Deckers, Moortsel 1999-2004 Boudewijn Jonckheere, Gent 2004-2007 Gisèle Laurent, Linkebeek 1995-2001: Adelbert Denaux (als president IEF België) Internationale functies uitgeoefend door Belgen/Offices internationales exercées par des Belges Internationale President/Président International 19..: Francine Fiévez (?) 2001-: Adelbert Denaux Internationale Secretaris/ Secrétaire International 1990-1996: Gisèle Laurent 2000-2003: Mark Viérin Internationale schatbewaarder/ Trésorier International 19..: Francine Fiévez Internationale website Manager 2003-2006: Mark Viérin Leden/Membres Aantallen per jaar/Nombre par année 2007: 32 2008: 33 2009: 29 2010: 24 |