Fiona Kendall new moderator of CCME

Unanimously elected yesterday, the Scots lawyer will lead the Commission of Churches for Migrants in Europe for the next four years.

Drawing by Francesco Piobbichi, staff, Mediterranean Hope programme, Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI)

Rome (NEV), 9th November 2023 – Fiona Kendall, from Scotland, who has for almost six years been seconded as European and Legal Affairs Advisor to Mediterranean Hope by the Church of Scotland, Methodist Church in Britain and Global Ministries, is since yesterday, 8th November, the new moderator of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), which brings together 39 members, churches and organizations from 19 European countries.

Fiona Kendall

Kendall was unanimously elected by the members present at CCME’s General Assembly, held in Rome over the last two days, and will hold the role of chairing CCME’s Executive Committee for the next four years.

“It is a privilege,” says Fiona Kendall, “and a pleasure to be a spokesperson for members who are committed to the rights of migrant people everywhere in Europe. CCME stands as an interlocutor and mediator between churches and institutions, so we seek to influence EU migration policy by giving our Christian perspective, founded on a theological and moral commitment to welcoming the stranger. It is a very challenging time in history, in Europe and a time when words count more than ever: it is a time to speak out’.

Kendall will work between Rome and Brussels, together with secretary general Torsten Moritz whom she will be “honoured to work alongside in this role”.

Kendall recently met the Pope as part of the delegation accompanying the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Nei giorni scorsi Kendall ha incontrato il Papa, insieme a una delegazione della Chiesa di Scozia.