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GERMANY, mkf. "Walking Together" is the motto of the Second Ecumenical Congress of the Movement, Works, and New Ecclesial Communities, that will take place in Stuttgart on May 10th and 11th 2007. Three thousand delegates from more than 180 different groups will have the opportunity to learn about other movements, to experience different charisms and to develop a "vision of Europe" in common. As a crowning touch, a public display of faith will be held after the congress in Schleyerhalle of Stuttgart, with the motto "Together for Europe".
"Encounter Stuttgart I" has changed the people and the movements," said Helmut Nicklas recently. The word "Stuttgart" has become synonymous of an experience that hits the nail on the head for the people of the different movements and new communities, according to Chiara Lubich, "One and many, many and one." Father Kentenich has spoken about this: "A unity which does not become mass-mindedness" (Heavenwards, p. 130) and "Let us become one heart and one soul as Our Lord implored during his earthly life and despite each individual way remain united." (Heavenwards, p.143)
"May something, once more, go forth from Europe that will astonish the world!" said Helmut Nicklas.
The shining hour of ecumenism, and the much desired unity of Christians
Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for the unity of Christians, encouraged the leaders of the second encounter. He, himself, spoke at the first encounter of Stuttgart, in the year 2004, of a "shining hour of ecumenism." At that time, highly placed representatives of politics and of the Church, stressed the irreplaceable role of Christianity in the formation of Europe. Fifty-five bishops participated in the final prayer for the unity of Christians. The leaders of the Ecumenical Congress convoked all the works and ecclesial communities to participate in a year of preparation for the second encounter. This can be done by collaborating on the presentation of the subjects for the forums. To make this concrete there was a day of encounter preparation on May 5, 2005 at the house of the Association of Christian Youth, in Wurzburg.
Renewal of the Church and of society from within
The different forums, 22 in total, should offer a platform to illuminate their aspirations with the same goals in evangelization, in prayer, in spiritual direction and in spiritual exercises. Communities representing the many professions of the Christian churches will present the role of Faith Schoolings, the building of communities as well as the common work of movements and networks. An essential point in the contribution of the ecclesial movements for the renewal of the Church and of society is the fostering of intergenerational harmony and the strengthening of marriage and family.
The reflections about a "school of the temporal life" and experiences accompanied by the children and youth, should also direct its gaze toward the young adults, providing them with assistance so that they can better understand and carry out and the mission of their lives.
A mutual Covenant of Love
This is the intention of all the participants who have assumed a common responsibility for the European society. The "walking together" is neither an organization nor a holding, rather it is much more a living community formed by autonomous groupings with completely different fields of action. Its foundation is a mutual covenant of love, so that the Evangelical, Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Reformed Churches, and even the members of the free churches and the new communities can form partnerships.
The promoters of the Encounter of Europe are the founders and the leaders of the various communities from Italy and from Germany, Catholic as well as Evangelical. Recently representatives of the French movements joined the steering committee, in addition to the Anglicans and the Orthodox. The members are now: Chiara Lubich (Focolare Movement), Friedrich Aschoff (Association of Christian Youth, from Munich), Gerhard Prob (Encounter of Leaders and Association of Christian Youth, from Esslingen, Father Michael Marmann (Schoenstatt Movement), Andrea Riccardi (Community of Saint Egidio), Ulrich Parzany (Pro Christ), Gerard and M. Christine de Roberty (Teams from Notre-Dame), Sister Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche (Fraternity of Christ), Gerard Testard (Fundacio) Nicky Gumbel (Alpha Courses) and Christophe D;Aloisio (Syndesmos).
Internet: www.europ2007.org
Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX / Christi Jentz, Milwaukee, WI, USA