At a festive church service in the Lutheran Church in Vienna on 27 April 2026, the new General Secretary of the Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), Dr. Susanne Schenk, was installed in her office, and the outgoing General Secretary, Dr. Mario Fischer, was formally bid farewell. More than one hundred church leaders and companions from various parts of Europe attended the ceremony.
“Christ is among us – often unrecognized, and yet he walks with us on the way.” With this guiding theme, the Emmaus narrative stood at the center of the service marking the transition of office. It took place on Monday, 27th April, at the Luther Church in Vienna. Jesus Christ is “present in our fellowship on the way.” That’s why the dialogue sermon by Susanne Schenk and Mario Fischer was symbolically designed as a journey with several stations within the church space, emphasizing that being church means walking together. Different approaches to Christ are not contradictions, but expressions of lived unity: “All seek Christ with sincerity – each in their own way.” Even as a believer, one cannot lose sight of the realities of life. Thus, the Emmaus disciples’ anxious plea that the Lord “stay with us, for evening is drawing near” remains central both in awareness of human finitude and in times of crisis.
For the community that Jesus desires with his church, the breaking of bread is essential. In the Emmaus story, the guest becomes the host: “Christ himself acts and creates community.”
Finally, the Emmaus narrative was understood as an image of the global church: people from different life contexts come together to share hope and to continue their journey strengthened.
Greetings and congratulations
The regional bishop of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg, Ernst-Wilhelm, from whose church Susanne Schenk was called to Vienna, emphasized the new General Secretary’s special ecumenical expertise. It is important to strengthen the “togetherness of the church across nations and denominational boundaries.”
The General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), Frank-Dieter Fischbach, highlighted the importance of ecumenism for peace and cohesion in Europe. In light of growing national isolation and social polarization, the shared Christian witness is indispensable.
The Austrian bishop Cornelia Richter praised the significance of the CPCE for the Austrian Evangelical Church A.B. and H.B., as well as for its pioneering theological publications.
Ministerial Councillor Martin Fischer, representative of the Austrian Religious Affairs Office within the Federal Chancellery, highlighted the institutional development of the CPCE in Vienna. In particular, recognition as a public-law corporation in 2019 significantly strengthened its operational capacity.
Personnel matters
Dr. Susanne Schenk of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg assumes the office of General Secretary. She previously served as an ecumenical officer with a focus on interdenominational dialogue and European church relations.
The outgoing General Secretary, Dr. Mario Fischer (Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau), has led the GEKE since 2019. During his tenure, church fellowship in Europe was deepened, new churches were admitted, and cooperation with other Christian traditions expanded. In addition, the GEKE was established as a public-law corporation in Austria and registered as an international NGO with the Council of Europe. Fischer will move to the Institute for Confessional Studies in Bensheim on 1 May 2026.
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