TOGETHER FOR EUROPE MUNICH 2016 Together for Europe 2016 under the patronage of Thorbjørn Jagland, General Secretary of the European Council of Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission of Martin Schulz, President of the European-Parliament of UNESCO,

Impress Edited by Thomas Römer, Gerhard Proß, Together for Europe 2016 Encounter. Reconciliation. Future. Munich 29 June to 2 July 2016 Documentation of the Congress and Rally 1st Edition 2017

Selection of the texts: Thomas Römer, Gerhard Proß Translation from the German Version, French and Italian texts by Marianne Clauß, Kerstin Birke, Celia Blackden, Beatrice Bleher, Koni Brand, Sebastian Eisele, Carla Gom- mel , Sr. Nicole Grochowina, Simone Grötz, Werner Hübner, Bro. Franziskus Joest, Christian Krause, Maria Leicht-Rombouts, Christiane Lewerentz, Dagmar Ludwig, Sr. Marion McClay, Andrew Pettman, Dorothea Römer, Ruben Sill, Daniel Spokoinyi, Sr. M. Thomasine Treese, Dan Waggoner Arrangement: Werner Hübner, Br. Franziskus Joest Layout: Heinrich Brehm, PressOffice Schoenstatt; Sebastian Barthel and Marvin Pönisch, YMCA Munich Photos: Volker Graf, Christina Grill, Ursel Haaf, Pal Toth, Heinrich Brehm, Maria Fischer Title photo: Ursel Haaf

2 INHALT New Perspectives – a New Shape of Church Emerges Father Lothar Penners 32 FOREWORD 6 Sketch of a Future Shape of the Church Encounter – Reconciliation – Future Bro. Franziskus Joest 34 Introduction to the Documentation of the Congress Friendship, an Old Recipe Bro. Franziskus Joest 8 Hilde Kieboom 36 Wednesday Night • 29 June 10 Places of Hope Martin Wagner talks with Dorothea Römer 38 Prophets of Hope A biblical impulse on Amos 7:15 Networking Gabriele Deutschmann talks with Martin Steinbereithner 39 Sr. M. Anna Franziska Kindermann 10 Impressions from the first night 12 The Covenant of the Bishops Miloslav Kardinal Vlk 40 Worship with Andrea Adams-frey and Albert Frey 14 The Future Outlines of the Congress Together for Europe – 1st DAY 16 A conversation with Reinhard Cardinal Marx and Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm 41 THURSDAY MORNING • 30 JUNE 18 Final Words by Thomas Römer 46 1 – The is acting in our days 18 THURSDAY AFTERNOON, 30 JUNE 47 Opening speech Congress 2016 Thomas Römer 18 Forums Subjects and movements responsible for the forum 47 The Movement of the Holy Spirit among us Gerhard Pross 20 “The Congress in Conversation” 49 Amazed about a Movement of God’s Spirit in our THURSDAY NIGHT, 30 JUNE 2016 50 Time; The Spirit of God is Mighty in our Time Clear the Ring – a Splendid Night Walter Cardinal Kasper 22 in the Circus Krone in Munich 50 Amazed about a Movement of God’s Spirit in our Time – An Ecumenical Milestone: Impressions from the Circus Night 52 The Joint Declaration CONGRESS Together for Europe – 2nd DAY 56 Bishop Christian Krause 24 FRIDAY MORNING, 1 JULY 58 The Principle of the Open Door Sr. M. Lioba Ruprecht 25 3 – Europe Today 59 “Living the Gift of Unity” Challenges in Europe – Signs of Time arco mpagliazzo Martin Wagner talks with Hartmut Steeb 27 M I 59 Faith in Public Space 2 – How God’s People is Shaped in Future 28 Gérard Testard 61 The Gate is Open Becoming Reconciled with our Future Sr. Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche 28 Michael Hochschild 63 Outlines of a Future Design of God’s People Europe in an “Era of Fear” Gerhard Pross 30 Herbert Lauenroth 66 © Haaf

3 Our Mission of Together for Europe Today 70 Prayers Christophe D‘Aloisio, David Damian 90 Europe Today: The New Commandment Creates a Culture of Fellowships Bernd Oettinghaus 91 Maria Voce 70 Outdoor Rally of Together for Europe 92 Europe Today – Living by Hoping Steffen Kern 72 the 2 July 2016 Europe Today – a Call to Faith at the Munich Karlsplatz (Stachus) 94 The Highlight of “Munich 2016” – An Introduction Thomas Römer 74 with Comments to the Outdoor Rally at Stachus FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 30 JUNE 77 Father Lothar Penners 95 Round table events SATURDAY MORNING, 2 JULY 2016 99 Christians in dialogue with politicians and bishops 77 Subjects and responsible persons and movements 80 Ecumenical prayers in the morning 99

FRIDAY NIGHT, 1 JULY 82 SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 2 JULY 2016 101 Looking back – Decisions – Looking ahead 82 Programme of the Outdoor Rally 101 Something New Springs Up I Unity is possible 102 Henning Dobers 82 Résumé of the Congress Days Introduction 102 Gerhard Pross 84 Unity is Possible What Should we Do? Maria Voce 103 Father Heinrich Walter 85 Video Message By His All-Holiness Ecumenical Bartholomew I 105 Conclusion and Prayer Video Message Thomas Römer 87 Francis 106 Encounter – Reconciliation – Future Testimony by Priests and Pastors from Kurt Cardinal Koch 88 Tibor Györök 108

4 Spiritual Realm Influences our Society, Repentance At the Morning of the Third Millenium Changes Things Wajd Asmar 128 Pavol Strežo 109 AD FONTES -- Back to our Roots! Reconciliation in Wolgograd Jeff Fountain 129 Sergej Altuchov and Hans Scholz 110 Not Walls but Bridges Andrea Riccardi, presented in German II Reconciliation Opens Future – by Marco Impagliazzo 130 500 Years of Separation are Enough 112 Fear Divides, Love Unites IV Mission and Future: “The Open Gate” 133 Miroslav Volf 112 Mission and Future Reconciliation between Reformed Church Father Heinrich Walter 133 and Mennonites „Misiones” – Living in Faith Peter Dettwiler and Larry Miller in Dialogue 114 Johannes Bechtold 134 Reconciliation Opens the Way to the Future What is happening in and around Munich? Gerhard Pross 116 Lukas Lorenz 135 A Conversation between Conversation among Reinhard Cardinal Marx, Bishop Kurt Cardinal Koch , Metropolit Serafim Joanta, Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and Father Heinrich Walter 136 Frank Otfried July, and Sister Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche 118 Conclusion with Message Prayer 121 Father Heinrich Walter 142 A Sign of Hope Together for Europe – Message of 2 July in Munich Olav Fykse Tveit 124 Encounter. Reconciliation. Future 144 III A Culture of Concernment Sharing the Experiences of the Day 145 and Compassion 125 Impressions from the Outdoor Rally 146 Changed Attitudes by Together for Europe Publishers‘ Epilogue 148 Gérard Testard 125 The message of Munich in the original layout 151 Young people speak about their visions and hopes for Europe 126 © Grill

5 FOREWORD

On the way towards the great jubilee in 2017 the members of Together for Europe have jointly set a sign of hope. After 500 years of separation they want to move forward in bold steps of reconciliation and continue witnessing their experience of a real and true reconciled diversity of denominations and cultures.

Therefore the network Together for Europe for the third time invited responsible persons and members of Christian movements, communities, associations and initiatives for a Congress. 1700 men and women came to Munich on 30 June and 1 July 2016. The Congress ended up with a rally on 2 July at the Stachus in Munich. “We cannot separate these Christians any more, they belong together”, said Reinhard Cardinal Marx who was obviously moved by the atmosphere among the 5000 people present at the closing Rally of Together for Europe in Munich. There, after two days of intense programme in Circus Krone, Christians of 200 communities and movements from 32 countries wanted to set a public sign of Christian unity.

This documentation contains the speeches and presentations which were held during the Con- gress and Rally. We hope that they will be reflected and will be understood as an invitation for en- counter and reconciliation. We are concerned about the future. As expressed it in his video message: Together for Europe is a unifying power with the clear aim of translating the basic values of into concrete responses to the challenges of a continent in crisis.

We wish you joy while journeying with this documentation.

For the Steering Committee

Gerhard Proß * Thomas Römer ** © Haaf © Brehm

* YMCA Esslingen, Steering Committee TfE ** YMCA Munich, Steering Committee TfE

6 © Haaf

7 Encounter – Reconciliation – Future Introduction to the Documentation of the Congress Bro. Franziskus Joest *

In recognizing our failure as Christians – individually as well as in total – there was felt spontaneously contrition, sor- row, and repentance. Each one shedding tears asked the others for forgiveness in the name of his or her own church or move- ment regarding the wrong that we have done to each other in the course of history. This was not forced upon by men, or

© Haaf artificially produced, it came spontaneously out of the hearts. The participants experienced it “500 years of separation are and institutions. Bishop Ul- as a work of the Holy Spirit. enough” – definitely so, most rich Wilckens had talked about They realized: God has given of us would say this. “Unity the loss of faith in the Western us such a deep reconciliation, is possible” – indeed? How world which was rooted in the that nothing is to separate us should that be accomplished? wars and quarrels of the dif- anew. In the future, we will no In the first moment, this may ferent Christian confessions more talk about each other but sound as though unity could be in the 16th century. Jesus had rather with each other. What produced, as though we might prayed: “Let them be one, so we think is strange in the life of just make it of our own accord. that the world may believe that other Christians we will not use This makes one suspicious, and you (heavenly father) have sent as pretext to separate us from rightly so. But it is not meant me” (John 17:21). But then the them but rather as a challenge in this way. Unity is possible reverse is also true: Because to ask them and to try to under- because it is given by God, and Christians are separated and stand them. We will appreciate we only give witness to that fighting each other, even wag- others in their respective piety gift. ing war against each other, without giving up our own. the world cannot believe and To explain this, we need to Christ seems to be unreliable. Therefore, at the next big go back some years. See also , the foundress of gathering in Munich in 2001 the opening speech by Ger- the movement of the Focolare, under the heading “Together hard Proß. It was in the year added that we left Jesus alone – how otherwise?” a pact of 2000. There was a gathering just as the disciples did in their mutual love was made as an of several responsible Chris- time. The forsaken Christ at the answer to the work of the Holy tians from various churches, cross is a reality today amongst Spirit. At the same time, these free churches, congregations, us – and because of us. questions came into mind: Was

* Bro. Rev. Dr. Franziskus Joest, Jesus Brotherhood Gnadenthal

8 that which we had experienced it is a testimony of many voices and which is rooted in the only for ourselves? Aren’t we to the one and unique work of Judeo-Christian faith. Most of obliged to our churches and God amongst us and within his the accomplishments of our to the world to give witness to church. To our great joy, some civilization could be traced what God had given us? That bishops have let themselves be back to these roots. If we cut means to give witness to the touched by it and allied with ourselves off from them, we fact that unity is possible? If the will of God and the urgent won’t just lose some convic- these are not to be just rhetori- prayer of Jesus to create unity tions of faith. We will lose hu- cal questions the answer to the amongst his people. This is a manity. Together for Europe second one is clearly: Yes. Yes, sign of hope: unity is possible; aims at keeping and cultivating what God has done must be tes- it can be more than a utopia, if it. tified to in the world in order we yield to the Spirit of God to achieve something there as in our churches and congrega- well. Out of these deliberations tions. the movement Together for Europe came into being with If real reconciliation hap- its big congresses in Stuttgart pens by a true encounter of in 2004 and 2007. This led to each other, then a way opens the Congress and the Rally in leading into the future to the Munich in 2016, at the eve – so benefit of ourselves as well as to speak – of the centennial of of our continent. Europe is just the reformation in 2017. The about to cut itself off from its contributions and talks of this spiritual roots and is in danger event are published in the pres- to lose itself. It is true, by “Eu- ent volume. rope” we don’t mean the EU in the first place, nor the political So there are no resolutions institutions at , Lux- or demands addressed to the emburg, or Brussels. We mean politicians or churches, or pe- rather the peoples and the com- titions what so ever. But rather mon culture in which we live © Brehm

9 WEDNESDAY NIGHT • 29 JUNE

The evening of Wednesday served as “warm up” for the participants. After the welcome and much music of worship, Sr. Anna Franziska from the Franciscan Convent of Siessen spoke. In her opening message she set the tone for the following days. Together for Europe has to fulfill a prophetic mission. Prophets of Hope A biblical impulse on Amos 7:15 Sr. M. Anna Franziska Kindermann* © Haaf

Some weeks ago, Gerhard courage and hope and joy. First Proß invited me to ask of God a of all, we were happy that God word for us all at this evening. had spoken to us in our being Dear sisters and brothers While I was phoning Gerhard, together – so to say in our “to- in Christ, tonight we come to- my fellow-sister, Sister Ema- getherness” for the Together gether to open our hearts for nuela, who is also here today, for Europe – and we both had God and for each other and to was praying for Gerhard and a strong impression: it is that join us in the great event that me. Then she brought me a what God gives us this evening, is to come: The Congress: To- lectionary with a word of the encouraging us in our togeth- gether for Europe 2016: en- Bible for 3 June, the official erness and sending us out one counter, reconciliation, future beginning of the Congress. The with another in friendship! for Europe. word warmed our hearts with

* general of the Congregation of the of Siessen

10 Go and prophesy to my people

On the lectionary is the word of calling that God addresses to the prophet Amos: Go and prophesy to my people (Amos 7:15).

We thought: Yes! That is our vocation as network of - hood at this congress: to speak prophetically to God’s people. The first prophetic sign for Eu- rope is the unity of the commu- nities and movements them- selves: the miracle that God, as different as we are, unifies us in the covenant of mutual love.

We are confident that this prophetic sign of unity is com- municable, that the Holy Spir- © Graf it in the brotherly encounter with the people moves and in- flames the hearts and through The Prophet Amos, who What is our message? us bears witness to the people was appointed by God to lead of Europe, to the cultures and his people to a fresh start in What is our message? Our the churches that separation life, was a simple man, a herds- message is Jesus Christ him- can be overcome and must be man and a dresser of sycamore self, his transforming, reconcil- overcome, that reconciliation figs, no professional prophet. ing and healing power. As Pe- is possible in the church, in so- He receives what he is to say, ter and John spoke to the lame cial and political life, because in the poverty of the spirit, in person near the beautiful door, we are destined for unity by absolute availability. His only we may promise Europe in its God. This is the heart‘s desire legitimation and his authoriza- crucial test in the face of the of Jesus for us! tion is God’s call to him: “Go Brexit: “We don’t have silver and speak to my people as a and gold. However, what we God makes us prophets of prophet”. have, we give you: Jesus his hope Christ!” (Acts 3:5–6) Let’s go In these days of the Con- and speak to God’s people as God makes us prophets of gress God gives his author- prophets! his hope, prophets of his mercy ity and power also to us in and of his justice, his unlimit- the humble knowledge, that ed Yes for life, prophets of his everything has its start in him, solidarity with the fleeing peo- that it is he who has put his ple and with all the oppressed, Spirit in our hearts and says to prophets for the beloved church us: go and speak to my people of Jesus Christ. as prophets!

11 Impressions from the first night

Photos: © Graf, Brehm

12 13 Worship with Andrea Adams-frey and Albert Frey © Graf © Graf

14 © Graf

15 CONGRESS Together for Europe 30 JUNE – 1 JULY 2016 MUNICH CIRCUS KRONE BUILDING 1ST DAY

16 CONGRESS Together for Europe 30 JUNE – 1 JULY 2016 MUNICH CIRCUS KRONE BUILDING 1ST DAY Photos: © Haaf, Graf © Haaf, Photos:

17 THURSDAY MORNING • 30 JUNE

The Holy Spirit is acting in our days The morning session was dedicated to our thankful amazement, what God has done to us until today and how the Holy Spirit has conducted us on our path. Opening speech Congress 2016 Thomas Römer* © Haaf © Haaf

Dear friends, We are facing major challeng- countries in Europe and from es. Our standing together is not different churches. We speak Encounter. Reconciliation. a given fact at this time in Eu- different languages. But the Future. rope, but it‘s definitely neces- Gospel connects us. The Chris- sary. After the dramatic experi- tian communities and move- we invited you to come to ences of the 20th century, peace ments are a reality today in Munich on the basis of these was given to us – a precious Europe: in many places we can three words! gift we have to guard and pre- see the awakening of spiritual serve. life. We are coming together in Europe at a pivotal moment. We come from different I believe there is joy in

* Rev. Thomas Römer, YMCA Munich, Steering Committee TfE

18 heaven over our gathering. Be- as well as the diversity among we have not seen him (see cause Jesus prayed, as recorded God‘s people. 1 Peter 1:8). It is Him in whom in the gospel of John, for us to we trust, and we will not be dis- be “one“ as He is one with the We need reconciliation! appointed (see Romans 9:33b). Father (John17: 20–23). What We are eagerly awaiting Him, we experience in here during We each have a history from He is our hope (i.e. Titus 2:13). these days is a the fruit of Je- which we come which has sus‘ prayer, it‘s an answer to shaped us. In the past many We have just seen pictures prayer! things separated us, divided of the Brandenburg Gate in us. Through guilt and failure, Berlin. As a teenager I was The apostle Paul writes through unrighteousness and pretty sure that this wall be- in the letter to the church at evil much division has taken tween East and West would be Ephesus: Jesus Christ “is our place in Europe. Especially be- there for my whole life. The peace“, and he continues: “He tween us as Christians. gate will stay closed. But one has broken down the dividing night the wall fell and the gate wall of hostility between us.“ Our shared hearing of the stood open. Until today this is (Ephesians 2:14) Gospel has brought us together. still a miracle for us. We have experienced reconcil- Encounter. Reconciliation. iation. This is one of our basic I believe that such a mira- Future. experiences in “Together for cle can also happen concern- Europe“. During these days we ing Christian unity. And we These three words express want to make room for the rec- are already experiencing it: the the hope that motivates us dur- onciliation and for overcoming dividing wall is broken. The ing these days. divisions. Here in the middle hostility has come to an end. It of Europe, we want to be and is now the time for us to live We need times of encounter! become “ambassadors of rec- as friends, with Jesus in our onciliation“ (see 2 Corinthians midst. He is our peace. In His “God gathers His people“ – 5:19–20). name we are gathered here. this has been a central hope of our “gathering“ from the begin- We have a future! I wish every one of us a ning. It is important to see one blessed time during these days another, to talk to one anoth- This future is not uncertain, in the “Circus Krone” and in er, to experience one another it is not a program or an idea. the city of Munich. – and thereby appreciate both Our future bears the face of Je- the things we have in common sus. It is Him we love although © Haaf

19 The Movement of the Holy Spirit among us Gerhard Pross*

reconciliation the further way would have hardly been possi- ble for me.

Reconciliation and pact of © Haaf mutual love

Dear Friends, we are here as that day – the Joint Declaration But the Holy Spirit pushed responsible persons of Togeth- of the Doctrine of Justification forward. In our next meeting – a er for Europe and we are sim- between The Lutheran World really big meeting in Munich in ply astonished about the dyna- Federation and the 2001 – we were led to a mutu- mism among us. None of us in Church. In order to find out al pact of love. What followed our keenest dreams could ever the next music bar of the sym- was really beyond everything I envision such a movement in phony – the score written in experienced so far. With Jesus which we were led step by step. heaven – we invited Chiara in our midst, the pact of mutu- Lubich together with Bishop al love and on the basis of the We live in a movement of Ulrich Wilckens to our Lead- Word of God, we experienced God’s people becoming one ers Encounter in . The a tremendous change of our and we are deeply convinced message of Ulrich Wilckens on attitudes. As reconciled peo- that the Holy Spirit is the direc- how much the division of the ple, we suddenly were able to tor of this process. We are part church affected the credibility see the other person – also as a in His history. of the Gospel in the 16th cen- very different person – in a new tury touched our hearts. The light and could recognize the “The score will be written in living God touched our hearts richness of the other charism, heaven” and led us in a deep process of the other movement and of repentance and reconcilia- the other denomination. With “The score will be written in tion. Reconciliation smoothed changed attitudes the way to- heaven”, said Chiara Lubich, the way for togetherness. All wards the two big congresses the founder of the Focolare 100 leaders who were present in Stuttgart in 2004 and 2007 Movement spontaneously on at that time – and most are still became a real expedition dis- 31 October 1999. This foun- with us – can witness about it. covering riches. dation date of Together for For me this meeting has set Europe displays a deep inner new parameters in my inner These days in 2004 and correlation with the event of life. Without the dynamics of 2007 in Stuttgart were vir-

* CVJM Esslingen, Leitungskomitee MfE

20 tually historical events: both own associations and bring in It is not my intention to tell because of the outside politi- our gifts and strengths in our the whole story of Together cal effect as well as inside the society. We phrased a sev- for Europe but to show us in movement. Even today I can en-folded Yes which helps us few minutes that God himself hear some people wondering- since to serve our society to- directed us on this way. We are ly talking about how suddenly gether. an expression of the movement the presence of the Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit in our time. could be felt in the hall when In a very special way An- He made us moving, he guid- Albert Frey started the song drea Riccardi, the founder of ed us, he has changed us and “Can you see the lamb there on Sant’Egidio, guided us re- transfigured us. the throne”. God led us into a garding Europe and repeatedly deep togetherness. Jesus made drew a great picture: “If Eu- We are astonished about it us one in heart and in spirit. We rope does not walk the way of and therefore want to praise are sisters and brothers; we be- unity it will bid farewell to the God at the end of this part. We came friends and experienced world history”, he challenged are looking forward to the next the differences as richness. us impressively. At the same steps he wants to lead us and And immediately we were also time he led our view to Africa, we can already see the contour. led together with the bishops. I just like the parable of the poor remember the special moment Lazarus. “Europe has to learn And one day we together at the Congress 2004 when 50 to share!” The history went on. will stand in front of the throne bishops came to the closing We realize how prophetic this of God as we can read in John’s session at the Liederhalle and speech was and in today’s chal- Revelation. A people of all lan- we all were gripped by the deep lenges it is more important than guages and nations – and I add: unity along with the episcopa- ever if Europe wants to have a of all denominations. May this cy Cardinal Kasper and Bishop future. congress be a small foretaste of Krause spontaneously shared that future time. their “dream of unity” with us “May hope be at home in and from then onwards we are Europe”, was the summary of together on this path to unity. Helmut Nicklas at the end of the first meeting Together for Together for Europe Europe at Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart and we all felt how “Assemble my people to we were caught by this hope. me”, so did I hear the passion- For this hope we stand and we ate call of God 15 years back are here to affine. and the people of God came together from very different communities, denominations and nations.

But this movement did not remain inside. Through Roma- no Prodi, the President of the EU Commission at that time and many other politicians, our view was widened. Together for Europe means: to lift our eyes beyond the borders of our

21 Cardinal Kasper and Bishop em. Krause have cared for everything concerning Together for Europe. In the following, they are explaining what they regard as important concerning Together for Europe, and what they stand for with us.

Amazed about a Movement of God’s Spirit in our Time The Spirit of God is Mighty in our Time Walter Cardinal Kasper* © Haaf

Dear friends, lovely to see that Jesus is our . hundred years of separation is you again and even loveli- Many have said that this dec- enough. It cannot remain thus. er to see what has become of laration means nothing, that It would be a betrayal of Jesus you since Stuttgart 2004. The it has remained unresolved. Christ and a disgrace before the dream of that time is becom- No, it is not unresolved. You world, if we just leave it at nice ing reality. The Spirit of God are the result; your movement words. is mighty in our time. We have is the fruit. Pope John Paul II reason to give thanks. was right, the declaration was We have a dream. We know a milestone. that is a channel of Our Dream the Holy Spirit throughout the A milestone is one stretch Church. Upon him is our reli- It began on 31 October 1999 along the way, not the goal. The ance. It was he who initiated in Augsburg. Protestant and next stretch stands before us: the ecumenical Movement; he Catholic Christians officially Autumn 2016 in Lund, Octo- will lead it to its end. Unity in and collectively determined ber 2017 in Wittenberg. Again reconciled diversity is possi- this: together we acknowledge there are doubters. We say, five ble. Tell the hesitant experts of

* Cardinal Emeritus of the and President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity

22 division: “We are the experts of It cannot be that the ghosts es. They are children of God. unity.” We have seen, it is more of a nationalistic egoism – long They put new challenges be- possible today than you think! believed dead – should rise fore us, that we should demon- Everyone must get up; every- again from their graves spread- strate to them the attractive- one must change their thinking ing fear and terror. Each of us ness of Christianity – to show and repent! loves his homeland, his lan- them that being a Christian is guage and his culture. We do not a good thing. We can only do Together in Europe want uniformity. The diversity that together as Protestants and of Europe is the wealth of Eu- Catholics, if we set aside our The unity of the Church is rope. But love of one’s country differences. all the more important as to- has nothing to do with nation- day the unity of Europe is in alism, which builds walls and Is that possible? Yes, it is. danger. Together for Europe fences. Nor does it mean that As Christians we believe in the is more important that ever be- we should withdraw to some resurrection and the work of fore. When I was young, after national “Island of the Bless- the Spirit of God. We belive the catastrophe of the Second ed.” Love of country is open; that life is stronger than death World War, Europe was a peace it allows itself to be enriched and that love is stronger than project for us youth: from en- and desires to enrich others. hate. Jesus is in the midst of us; emies friends would arise, and Whoever pulls up drawbridges he goes before us. As Chris- it came to pass – seventy years against it will soon starve. tians we are witnesses to the of peace and prosperity that our hope for a new cooperation be- forefathers could never have Pope Francis recently said tween Christians and a new co- dreamt of. That is no dream; that Europe is a “work in pro- operation in Europe. Not fear, that is reality. That is our fu- gress.” Europe was simply but hope is proclaimed. We ture. never finished; it has always should not be fearful doubters, been “in progress”. It has al- but bridge-builders and those For that reason, we need a ways been its strength to inte- who carry hope about. flourishing economy. No one grate other cultures: the Celts, disputes that. The economy is the Germanic tribes, the Nor- an indispensible basic principle mans, the Slavs and the Mus- of life and survival. It is, how- lims, whom we are not encoun- ever, a basic principle not the tering for the first time. meaning of life itself. That is why Europe needs more than After the fall of the Berlin an economical system. Europe Wall we were swooning, hop- is not just an economical com- ing for borderless communi- munity. Europe is a community cation, universal democracy, of values. It has many Christian universal human rights. Now foundations, without which Eu- the problems of the globaliza- rope cannot be Europe. Many tion are upon us. They do not have forgotten that. So, advo- come as abstract fugures, rath- cating for it again is our task. er as people with concrete fac-

23 Amazed about a Movement of God’s Spirit in our Time An Ecumenical Milestone: The Joint Declaration

Bishop Christian Krause*

ed that this could become true when we met for our first large congress in Stuttgart: from building the tower of Babel to experiencing the feast of Pen- tecost in the power of the Holy Spirit! This has also become possible despite all the differ- ences that we may have in our traditions of faith and piety, be- cause we have turned towards one another and have carefully listened to one another within

© Haaf Christ’s love given to all of us.

Dear sisters and brothers with an almost unlimited free- A milestone on the road of the spiritual movements, dom with consequences for towards full unity fellowships and communions; the whole world. However, we first of all, I wish to thank you have also learnt that there is It is also part of our move- most cordially for your invita- hardly anything more difficult ment Together for Europe what tion to be with you again today than to handle freedom and to Pope John Paul II hast called “a as it was when it all began. At shape it responsibly. Precisely milestone on the not easy road that time it has still been an un- at this point, dear sisters and … towards full unity among certain departure towards a To- brothers, you have been able the Christians”, namely the gether for Europe. Now you to point out a clear direction “Joint Declaration of the Doc- have again invited Cardinal towards a togetherness in the trine of Justification” (JD). The Kasper and myself as witness- discipleship of Jesus. I recall global Roman- es for what has happened at the the “Sevenfold Yes” stating the and the global Communion of time of the turn of the millenni- essentials for a responsible life the Lutheran Churches have um. Even at this point we must in freedom as well as the joint jointly signed this declaration not forget these events when statement “Vision for the Uni- of a common understanding of we try to shape our together- ty of Europe”. Both documents the basic truths of the Christian ness for the future. are impressive affirmations of faith. No more condemnations our togetherness within one and rejections against one an- The miracle of what we spirit and one determination. I other! Forward towards a new are used to call simply “the have to confess my little faith commitment to a universal change” has presented Europe by saying that I had not expect- communion, “par cum pari” as

* Dr. h.c. Christian Krause, Bishop em. of the Lutheran Church of Braunschweig and President of the Lutheran World Federation 1997–2003

24 stated in the declaration, i.e. ranks of German and not because of any merit as equals among equals in the has globally generated a strong on our part, we are accepted common discipleship of Jesus! dynamic – like also in the by God and receive the Holy At the same time, this has been spiritual movement of Togeth- Spirit, who renews our hearts a clear renunciation of all forms er for Europe. It is in this spirit while equipping and calling us of nationalism or confessional- that Pope Francis will travel to to good works.” (JD 15 b) ism and thus also a renunciation Lund in Sweden on this year’s of a withdrawal of the churches Reformation Day for a joint Yes, together we confess! merely to their national or con- worship service at the place May this always be granted to fessional identities. In contrast where the Lutheran World Fed- us by our merciful Lord, dear to that, it is our direction within eration had been founded in sisters and brothers, – to us to- our togetherness: from conflict 1947. Then and there we will gether! to community! And: Unity in a again express our common wit- united witness to Christ! ness to what we have jointly ex- pressed at the brink of the new United Witness century on Reformation Day 1999 in Augsburg: “Together What has often been con- we confess: By grace alone, in tested or silenced within the faith in Christ’s saving work

Coming from a Catholic perspective, Sr. Lioba (Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary) portrays the very different stagesT ogether for Europe has been through since 1998. Afterwards Hartmut Steeb, Stutt- gart, General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance in Germany, is giving an interview. The Principle of the Open Door Sr. M. Lioba Ruprecht*

door signifies a greater quality of life, an unfolding of our charism.

From 1998 until today, time and again God had opened doors to us through the togetherness of the Spiritual Movements. In the following, I will mention some of the most significant ones:

First open door: Pentecost © Haaf 1998

“We are endeavouring (as the guideline of our own plan- For the first time, Pope John Paul) to investigate God’s plan ning and action,” writes Father Paul II gathers together members according to the ‘Principle of Kentenich, the founder of our and founders of various move- the Open Door’ and to make it Schoenstatt Movement. Each ments in . We discovered

* Schoenstatt Movement

25 the workings of the Holy Spirit visits of members of Schoenstatt Christian movements. Being salt not only in our own movement, to other movements. and leaven in various social but in the diversity of charisms. spheres has found the expression The initial strangeness chang- of “covenant culture” within our Second open door: Munich es into the joy of diversity, ap- movement. The various areas be- 2001 preciation of the richness of each gin to take on their own shape. charism, a language of mediation. The congress for the family, We have just heard about it. which took place in the Schoen- Beyond the confessional bound- Fifth open door: Increasing statt centre of the Liebfrauenhöhe aries, a covenant of unity and effectiveness as “salt and close to Stuttgart 2011, was an love was spontaneously conclud- leaven” of society important landmark. Together we ed, which will form the basis for experience: We have not arrived the common path in the future. Precisely one hundred years at the end with the Christian Eu- As movement, we initially went ago, Father Kentenich incorpo- rope - we are at the beginning, a through this open door with some rated the vision of Vincent Pal- new beginning. We unite our- hesitation. But the conviction of lotti of a federally structured selves with the woman of the be- our founder that precisely Mary apostolic World Federation as ginning, with Mary, and trust that and the covenant of love is capa- one of the goals of his founda- the prayer of Christ will also be ble of creating an ecumenism of tion. Our commitment to work- fulfilled today: Father, let all be hearts has since come true. This ing Together for Europe is a one, so that the world may be- gives our movement a new di- way to strengthen the power of lieve! mension.

Third open door: Together for Europe

After the first and second world war, we as Schoenstatt Movement have considered our- selves to be especially commis- sioned by God to engage our- selves for Germany and Europe that they may be sustained by Christian values. We experienced Stuttgart I and II as moments of profiling one’s own identity and of solidarity with many others. The common vision strengthens everyone: to give Europe a Chris- tian soul again.

Fourth open door: growing proximity to each other

This is the phase of getting to know each other since 1999. Visits of Chiara Lubich and other communities in Schoenstatt and © Haaf

26 “Living the Gift of Unity” Martin Wagner* talks with Hartmut Steeb**

I came to see that we are all brothers and sisters, whom Je- sus loves. They belong to Christ; they are filled with his Spirit. That is when it became clear that if they belong to Jesus and I be- long to Jesus, then we are simply brothers and sisters, whether we like it or not.

Würzburg November 2009 –

© Haaf Together for Europe at the Ca- thedral – Picture it: We are there. Martin Wagner: The Evan- no longer walk with us. Then I Which barriers have fallen? gelical Alliance is a federated would not be creating more un- network. It is estimated that 1.5 tiy, but less. That is where we realized that million people agree with its ba- unity is not some optional exer- sic principles. At the first con- In what way did you facilitate cise; it is the main program for ference in 2004, your response cooperation? the people of Jesus. If it was so to Gerhard Proß’ invitation was important to Jesus that he prayed that you could not come, as you After the political reunifi- for it so intently, then we cannot felt it would divide the Evangel- cation of Germany in the early be indifferent to it. The goal of ical Alliance. What was the rea- 90s we had this experience: one unity is that people should come son for this? must ask questions often, com- to believe in the coming of Je- pare notes in conversation, get sus into this world. We cannot Hartmut Steeb: We cannot to know one another and exam- maintain those obstacles after create unity. Jesus prayed for it. ine our prejudices. This is how all. When we emphasize what Now, we simply cannot issue the a lot of the perceived rejection we have in common in our faith, command, “You must be one”. between the Pietistic-Evangeli- then that which divides us loses cal and Charasmatic-Pentecostal its power. There were undoubtedly, at movements were overcome. that time, many reservations A whole “World” was in the Evangelical movement And that is how we have changed by wise and dauntless about anything which seemed tackled it now. We invited the re- measures. Cooperation was Catholic. It was important to me sponsible parties of each move- made possible. What for decades not to act hastliy, as if we could ment to Bad Blackenburg. There was unthinkable has occured. smooth over our past differences we facilitated acquaintanceship, in one fell swoop. If one wishes open dialogue and listening to And we have yet to finish un- to win new brothers and sisters, one another. packing and living out this gift of it would not be worth the cost unity. Let’s stick to it. to throw these past differences What changes came about as in their faces, so that they could a result of this encounter?

* Volunteer in the YMCA Munich ** General Secretary of the German Evangelical Alliance

27 How God’s People is Shaped in Future Unity doesn’t mean love, peace and harmony. This has been clear ever since the penitential act at the beginning of Together for Europe (see introduction, p. 8f).

In her Bilblical meditation, Sister Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche points out that it is the Cross that opens the gate to the discipleship of Christ. The Gate is Open Sr. Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche*

should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glo- ry of God the Father.” (Philip- pians 2:6–11)

To arrive under the cross

The all-creating, all-encom- passing, all-sustaining Triune God comes to us as human © Haaf being in Jesus. Jesus gives up every claim to divinity – he empties himself, it says in the The gate is open. And with- “Although he was like God, original text – and as a human in the gate, we find the Cross. the Messiah Jesus. Yet, he being, he lives in complete All those who walk through did not cling to his likeness obedience to God, the Father. the open gate have to come to God... he did not consider The first man Adam wanted to before the Cross before new equality with God something be like God. In haughtiness he spaces open up for them. What to be used to his own advan- turned on God. However Jesus does it mean “to come before tage; rather, he made himself loves the Father. His hands are the Cross”? It is about realis- nothing by taking the very na- open in trust and confidence to ing existentially, the length, ture of a servant, being made him, even when men nail him width, height and depth of in human likeness. And being to the cross and he dies. God, what has happened by Jesus’ found in appearance as a man, the Father raises Jesus to new offering himself on the cross he humbled himself by becom- unperishable life. In his all-en- and through his resurrection. ing obedient to death – even compassing mercy, he decrees And it is about allowing this to death on a cross! Therefore that from now on all men will shape our own behaviour. Paul God exalted him to the highest find healing and forgiveness describes this process in his place and gave him the name in the name of Jesus. There- letter to the Philippians where that is above every name, that by, through God’s work on he quotes the Christian song: at the name of Jesus every knee the cross, the place of hate, of

* Prioress of the Fratenity of Christ Selbitz

28 pride and of destruction, be- new steps together: “Do noth- any living community, because comes the place of repentance, ing out of selfish ambition or they make it impossible to love and new communion. vain conceit. Rather, in humil- breathe and to act freely. ity value others above your- Amongst ourselves, we selves, not looking to your Fellowship in Christ have experienced much of this own interests but each of you transforming dynamic of the to the interests of the others. In In our days, we realize that cross. For everyone of us car- your relationships with one an- the community of peoples ries in ourselves those imag- other, have the same mind set in Europe is starting to get es and ideas about Christians as Christ Jesus.” (Philippians chapped. Some political groups from other denominations that 2:3–5) use this fear to provoke repuls- depreciate them. Sometimes ing attitudes towards strangers. they stem from our own expe- In this new space that has Today, here, we are called to riences, more often they have opened up for us, it is important outgrow these attitudes and to been passed on over centuries to practice a new way of think- bring about an attitude of re- and are rooted in our collective ing and acting; for our conduct spect that pays more attention memory. “We speak frivolous- is to follow Jesus Christ with to others than ot ourselves. ly of the … unbelieving Protes- all our desire. His love is our Our friendship here may cor- tants, the chaotic Pentecostals, source of life, and it will clean respond with the fellowship we the power-obsessed Orthodox, and change our hearts; because have with Jesus Christ. It is a untrue Catholics and affected here, right in our hearts, we process that will bear flowers Pietists…” so it says a liturgy learn to live and act in a new in our hearts and we will dis- of reconciliation of the church- way. cover its fruits while watching es in Saxony-Anhalt. In that how we treat each other. This regard, we have experienced We need to honour oth- will have a great impact on our much healing from wrong im- ers more than we respect our- society too. ages and prejudice amongst us selves; and we need to pay at- during the passed years – this is tention not only to that which God’s wonderful Spirit will a lasting miracle of God. Here, benefits ourselves, but what guide us on our way reaching beneath the cross, we have re- helps others. We all sense that this new attitude. We rely on leased old things, and we have this command approaches our his strength, so that we may not experienced that forgiveness core, our innermost desire and be infected by the fear occuring was granted. That means: the being. On the one hand, we in society. His power will come fountain for the healing of our desire to act in that new way, to us in worship, when we memories amongst us lies in but on the other hand, the mere jointly sing and confess “that the transformative power of the command tempts us to rebel Jesus Christ is Lord, to the crucified and risen Christ. Let against it. Now, we fear to miss Glory of God, the Father.” us remain open to the work of out something or to come out the Holy Spirit especially in badly. And to win through, to these days together, when our appear as confident and self-as- hearts are asked of our hearts sured, to fight any competition, again to release old experience and to eliminate others – these and to start forgiving. are the ways of acting we are used to when it comes to an- Take new steps together swering fears. Moreover, these ways of acting are being pro- On the basis of mutual for- moted by society. However, giveness, we are able to take these attitudes destroy and kill

29 What will the “church of the future” look like, if the testimony of unity really gains a foot- hold? Gerhard Proß presents a vision which he sketches in delicate strokes, and invites Fa- ther Lothar Penners, Brother Franziskus Joest, Hilde Kieboom, Dorothea Römer and Martin Steinbereithner to colour the sketch. Cardinal Vlk, the former of Prague adds a testomony to that. Outlines of a Future Design of God’s People Gerhard Pross*

development of a person? De- pendence, independence, inter- dependence. As a child we live in a family and are secure – and dependent. Then starts adoles- cence – the independence be- gins. But the ripe form to live does not exist in independence, but in a voluntary mutual de- pendence**.

© Haaf Out of prayer I am moved by a picture from modern ar- chitecture. I saw a picture (as A sentence from Hubertus 1 “The Kingdom of Heaven is below) how different churches Blaumeiser, a priest of the Fo- like a net” become combined through a colare Movement, electrified joint glasses. The churches are me and did not let me go. He This is a quotation of Jesus no more separated but connect- said to me: “There at the Con- from Matthew 13:7. We live ed with each other. gress of Together for Europe in a time of networks, which in 2004 in Stuttgart, I saw the means: not hierarchy is high- The different buildings are profile of the future church”. lighted, but togetherness. Very not demolished and replaced different forms of expression, by a big modern building, but At every time, the Holy different forms of spirituality they are organically connect- Spirit affirms the conformation and traditions will be com- ed with each other. The joint which enables people of God bined with each other. There of glass means to me the trust, to live in their own time and to are different knots in such a that we live and transparency reach the people of their time. net: smaller and bigger ones we share. So we are enabled to live in the – that combine the diversity presence of today. In five decent without hierarchy into a recon- 2 “Europe needs places of lines I want to draw a design of ciled unity. hope”*** the People of God, which will receive more colours through Could it be that similar How do they look like, these the following articles. things are true for the develop- places of hope? Besides the ar- ment of the church just like the ea-wide structure of churches,

* YMCA Esslingen, Steering Committee TfE ** Stephen Covey: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (dependence – independence – interdependence) page 201 ff *** Dr. Markus Müller, Congress Together for Europe 2007 Stuttgart

30 other places shine up where the But yet the aspect of fellowship clergy and the mature members people of God draw hope from. shines in a special way in our each contribute their gift to the Places with radiance where au- time. “For where two or three body of Christ, and a picture of thentic Christian life is lived in are gathered together in my beauty and fullness lights up. an inspiring way. name, there am I in the midst of The sound of this combination them”. Chiara Lubich repeat- cannot bear claim to authority • The Gospel is in the centre edly emphasized on this word and use of power. The key in • The power of encounter of Jesus and underlined exactly that togetherness lies in serving with God leads to the people the new outline of church. each other. • Towards the needs of our time 4 The friendship dimension Already the outline of the future of God’s people shines At these places, in these “You are my friends”, high- up among us. Let us fill the fellowships, a design of God’s lights Jesus in John 15:14. Of profile with colour and life. people shines up and radiates course he remains the Kyrios – hope. but yet he calls us friend. It is not an idealized friendship, be- Besides these both outside cause Jesus gives his life for his elements I want to disclose friends: Church as friends and three more, which are more re- responsible persons as friends. lated with the inner being. We experience the beauty of this dimension of Gods people 3 Communio – the design of among us. People find friend- community of God’s people ship and home.

The three persons of God 5 The togetherness of live together in a dynamic as- charisms in a serving way sociation of love. The nature of seeks its form among its The variety of charisms – people too. Of course, altar and of gifts of grace – finds new pulpit are still important today. room for development. The © Photomontage Michael Proß © Photomontage

31 New Perspectives – a New Shape of Church Emerges Father Lothar Penners*

gelisation means passing on life, by taking what is essential and therefore inside and turning it out.

However, there is more to communio than the intimacy of ‘small groups’. Irenaeus of Ly- ons has coined the word: the Son and the Spirit are the hands of the Father, which he stretches out to bring the whole world home to © Haaf the Father’s house. Therefore being a communio-church urg- Dear sisters and brothers, the perienced the reality of true com- es us to address the Gospel as Icon of Trinity by Andrei Ru- munion. We have experienced such. This means, we all need to bljow allows us to guess what that “church” primarly is not an be literally dragged into the mis- the secret of the one God in three organisation and hierarchy, rath- sions of Christ and of the Holy persons is all about: the original er it is experienced in a new way, Spirit. The more we do this in a communion of togetherness and i. e. as a living “us”. So we ex- wide perspective, the more im- church. The icon shows the very perience unity in diversity that portant it will be to reach out for moment when Jesus – wearing strongly relies on uniqueness de- each other with a vigorous sense the mantle of the passion, red riving from very different roots of openness and sensitivity. In as blood – fulfils his word to the and containing an originality that every friendship, we do not pass disciples: “I will ask the Father is capable of sharing itself. This on objects of friendship. but to send you the helper who will unity entails that we treat each we do give ourselves. And we remain with you always.” other respectfully; we freely of- do not receive simple objects; fer closeness, while permitting rather, we entirely receive our The “helper” is shown as the encounter and new beginnings. friend. “Spirit-Angel” clothed in green- blue: fully humble in his readi- So at first, Communio as a Let me remind you once ness to be sent out and to bring new form of Church stands for more, that on our journey, we hope. After experiencing the ca- the following: Church is a liv- have been led by the Triune God. tastrophe of separation, this hope ing expression of what it actu- He offers us an idea about the offers life, unity and a future. ally believes, expressed through coming shape of Church which Unity grows from humbleness what it lives out. That means we are about to reach. A Triune and hope: the humbleness of the Church reveals itself as being life that leads to the unity of our God-servant and the hope of the “in, with and for each other” church, that is our vision pro- Spirit who heals anything that (Josef Kentenich) which ap- vided by the Triune God. Here was shattered during history. pears to be a kind of Triune life, I would like to remind of the and it passes on what it actually “Joint Declaration on the Doc- On our journey, we have ex- lives (Klaus Hemmerle). Evan- trine of Justification”, Augsburg

* Father Prof. Dr. Lothar Penners, Schoenstatt Movement

32 was somehow pre-sacramen- tal, a bond of unity was formed. This bond created real com- munion among us and carried us forward, without levelling the desire to reach full unity of the church. The diversity given among us sharpen sour vision for what an ecumenical Catholicism could look like (Walter Cardinal Kasper) or how integrative ecu- menism, comes to life. Both are an indispensable part of coming mystical body of Christ.

Communio that depicts the mystery of the Holy Spirit. Look- ing back, this mystery comes into sight. That means, we are look- ing back at fruitful processes of life. The Holy Spirit not only is the living bond of love between the Father and the Son; he is also evidently active in our life together as a “bond in motion”. As Together for Europe we do not establish a new church, instead we see ourselves as a Andrei Rubljows Dreifaltigkeitsikone Troiza – Abrahams Gastmahl mit den mobile “movements” between drei Engeln in Mamre (um 1425) churches and communities. Be- ing at “school” of the Holy Spir- 1999. This was the initial spark should speak into our societies it, who is “quicker to move than of our journey. in Europe. Moreover, the ques- any motion” (Wisdom 7:24), we tion concerning the “Together- would like to stretch the tent of “God gathers his people”, this ness” of cultures arose. We are his sanctuary far above all peo- idea, this option of life became shure that Communion is grow- ples and the cultural clashes and true. All we wanted was to fol- ing among us, as long as we are tensions. low the foreseeing hand of the ready to allow the guiding of the Father: “The musical score is Father to drag us, into the calling There is a unique beauty in written in heaven” (Chiara Lu- of Christ for our times. So we the dynamic harmony of the Icon bich). are talking about Communio that of the Trinity by Rubljow – it is a depicts the mystery of Christ. gift of the Eastern Church to But firmly, the finger of God Many times, he was present Christianity as such. During actually made us aware of to the among us in his Word and in the these day in Munich this beauty situation of our continent, its ca- “unanimity” of our praises, wor- may inspire us and it may grant pabilities, but also the threats of shiping the infinity of God. usthe power of a humble and its unity. We responded by an- bold hope for encounter, recon- nouncing the “seven yes” that In a “pact of mutual love” that ciliation and future.

33 Sketch of a Future Shape of the Church Bro. Franziskus Joest*

ever God will be loved with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul, and with all one’s might. Together we are the people of God. Such people has the call

© Haaf to serve. It cannot be otherwise since Jesus Christ, the Lord of “God’s love has been poured The is there the Church, has become a serv- into our hearts through the Holy within and among all types ant as he himself said (Luke Spirit which has been given to of real existing churches. It is 22:27), and has washed the feet us.” This is what the Apostle but one people of God within of his disciples (John 13:1–17). Paul wrote to the Romans (Ro- all denominations. The true mans 5:5). The Holy Spirit will Church is not invisible. It is This people will be an ap- be given either completely or hidden. But it appears wher- ostolic serving people, be- not at all. He will not be given in pieces. Love is there either totally or not at all. So we cred- it each other that he or she has the Holy Spirit just as we do, and we trust each other to have the love of God. And: “through love be servants of one anoth- er” as Paul puts it (Galatians 5:13).

This means to forsake the use of power, it means a with- drawal of ruling one over the other, also of one part of the people of God over another part. It means to renounce any claims of rights to something or someone. But this is not about the smallest common denomi- nator. It is about Jesus Christ, about his gift and his claim on us.

* Bro. Rev. Dr. Franziskus Joest, Latrun Jesus-Bruderschaft, Elia Beaver, © Br. Jesus Brotherhood Gnadenthal

34 cause it is sent into all the and men alike, working to- We do not deny our history world, especially to the poor. It gether in mutual appreciation with its ruptures and violations will be a prophetic people, be- and commendation, and in and all the guilt. But we can cause it will listen to the word serving each other mutually. view them in a new light. What of its brothers in faith, and it It is a communion in gifts and men have broken by sin and will speak the word of God charisms, also of the gifts and failures that God by his grace into its own time. It will be a charisms of the variant church- and mercy has brought to full- cross-bearing people that agrees es and communities. ness, to great variety, and to to suffering which results from mutual enrichment. If we live the resistance of the world to It will be a people which de- in the spirit of mutual service, its message. Thus it will stand clares its believe for its roots, this fullness can unfold to the close up to Jesus abandoned, i. e. from which it sprang benefit of all members. This is but it will live out of the power forth. For Christ is the King of possible wherever Jesus Christ of his resurrection in spite of all Israel, this is the meaning of is the pivot point around which contradiction. His title: “Christ”, “Messiah”, everything is revolving. “The Anointed One”. A people It will be a people in which which builds itself up by love all charisms are exercised, be- (Ephesians 4) will be a people cause the church is in need of in which the two: believers out them and will be edified by of the Jews and believers out them (Ephesians 4). Ministers of the nations, will have be- and laypeople as the one uni- come the one new man through fied people of God, the young Christ (Ephesians 2:15). ones and the old ones, women © Haaf

35 Friendship, an Old Recipe Hilde Kieboom*

recipe needs to be rediscov- ered: friendship. I am not say- ing that friendship does not have a social status in our so-

© Haaf cieties but it should also regain its spiritual and ecclesiastical status; also in our communi- In these days, we have reinforce our commitment for ties, which have grown up in gathered in Munich as new a strong Europe united in sol- the meantime. Andrea Riccar- communities and ecclesiasti- idarity. di says that friendship has a cal movements from different theological status taking into denominations to renew and It seems to me that an old account that the Lord calls his

* Vice-President of the Community of Sant’Egidio ** Andrea Riccardi: La paix préventive, p.152, Salvator 2005

36 disciples no longer slaves but who had to flee, will arouse gether in peace. Therefore, friends**. my curiosity for his culture and friendship – together with broaden my horizon; friend- prayer – is a weak weapon of Through friendship, Chris- ship with a person from anoth- the humble, who do not pos- tians can live their sense of er church will lead me to the sess means to impose them- responsibility towards the essence of my faith believing selves, but have this attractive poor, the men and women of in the Gospel. Friendship is not force at their disposition, which other , and towards only something for very young allows to include the whole people in distant countries. people as we often think. It is world in a common destiny of Friendship becomes a way of not a weakened form of love peace and unity and to nourish being community and church: or secularized. Friendship is a the dreams and ideals of the as friends of God, we want to way to live our faith as laymen young generations. develop a friendship with the in a diverse world. Friendship men and women of our time, opens up the doors towards a friendship lived as service new worlds. to promote living together and peace. Abraham, who is called In this globalized world, we friend of God in the Bible, sets witness an increase of self-cen- out with confidence towards a teredness or a way to think only new future. Friendship with an about oneself. This happens elderly and weak person will out of fear, missing curiosity develop my inventiveness to towards the other person, miss- find the resources to support ing vision, forgetting the fact her; friendship with a person, that we are destined to live to-

37 Places of Hope Martin Wagner* talks with Dorothea Römer**

the library. Or a church which started to hold prayer weeks. One day they felt that they should pray for freedom from drugs – that same night the po- lice discovered a drug cartel.

© Haaf And I experienced how peo- ple are attracted to communi- Martin Wagner: Dorothea, friends for a short time, or ties because they see them as you studied Political Science staying from three months to a places of hope. Places, where and you are about to finish a year abroad. Each time I have things are different, where they Master in History. Over the experienced how Jesus unites are welcome as humans. past years you travelled quite a us, overcoming cultural and lot. And in all these places you confessional differences. In all What does this experience have experienced Christian these places I experienced how mean for you today? communities. Can you tell us a God acts in and through com- little bit about it? munities. They were always I have experienced how God engaged to serve the people meets me in the other, in for- Dorothea Römer: Yes, over locally. These communities are eign places: as my home, as my the past years I travelled a lot places of hope. friend, as the hope that joins us abroad – for my studies and in- together. Meeting with the ternships. Places of hope – can you de- ‘other’ makes me hopeful, scribe it a little more. shows me new perspectives I have been to the USA, and possibilities, how to wit- Scotland, Berlin, Brussels, Is- I have experienced how ness about God’s love and to rael and Columbia. In some Christians in these communi- live his love. And I am so of these places there were ties have hope for their cities thankful for the common walk communities that I knew from and countries they live in. I of different denominations and Together for Europe. In others have seen how they invest in communities in Europe. there were not. But, no mat- different ways into society – Together for Europe became a ter where I have been, I expe- where they are using the means place of hope for me: unity is rienced having a worldwide available to them. possible. I am part of the big family. In all these places I family of God. have been received by Chris- One example would be tian Community. Very practi- Scotland: during exams the cally they helped me to find a student group that I was part of new home. Whether visiting gave out free dinner in front of

* Volunteer of the YMCA Munich ** Volunteer of the YMCA Munich

38 Networking Gabriele Deutschmann* talks with Martin Steinbereithner** © Haaf

Gabriele Deutschmann: Could you share what ac- The picture of a net is as old Martin, your friends and col- cording to you makes networks as the Gospel. The early church, leagues often describe you as a what they are? And why are build on the Jewish diaspora networker. Can you recognize they so important for our time? was a network of semi-autono- yourself in this description and mous communities and groups. if yes, how did this description Networks are flat, egalitari- Globally present, light footed come about? an and non-hierarchical. I can and fast-growing. And it decide who I want to network changed the entire empire. We, Martin Steinbereithner: with and there is no institu- as the church of the West, clear- For 36 years I am part of the tion that tells me how to do it. ly are moving into another Di- Sword of the Spirit, an interna- Fast “viral” processes – which aspora-era. Maybe we are even tional, ecumenical network of spread out like viruses – are the in the middle of it. The ability charismatic, covenanted com- norm instead of long bureau- to network might not just be munities. And above this I have cratic processes. Networks are helpful, but necessary to sur- been a “professional network- inexpensive, because they do vive in these circumstances. er” for 15 years. Besides my not need a central coordinat- tasks to regularly visit our 15 ing point, and networks jump own groups in Europe and the across political, geographical Middle East, I was responsible and cultural barriers. The ex- for the contact with about 20 change of resources and infor- other organisations and move- mation is multilateral instead ments in Germany. Another of “top down”. This is why I dozen groups I regularly visit- see networks as an adequate ed in Europe and Africa. Do- organizational form within our ing this one develops very own fast-paced, globalized world. convictions and skills. And why should we as the Church of Jesus be actively in- volved in networking?

* CEO of the YMCA Esslingen ** Dr. Martin A. Steinbereithner, Sword of the Spirit, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

39 The Covenant of the Bishops Miloslav Kardinal Vlk*

we are doing, about our pact of mutual love and that we say: Your diocese is my diocese. He answered: “Well, then every diocese has many bishops.” This pact of mutual love was also the carrying strength of our mutual encounters.

And lastly: once a month, we bishops, who live our spirit- uality, we meet via WebEx – © Haaf something like Skype. And we enter into a living community In 1990, when the com- group. Frequently, we made the with one another, speaking munism collapsed, there were pact of unity. When we shared with one another and renewing three priests who lived our our experiences, difficulties but our pact of love and unity. This spirituality and were consecrat- also nice experiences from our is our way to concretely remain ed as bishops. Then we were dioceses, we promised firm- in a living community. This is invited to a worldwide meet- ly to one another: your cross our contribution to Together ing of bishops, who lived this may be my cross; your diocese for Europe. spirituality. For me something may be my diocese. Once I told very strong occured in this Pope John Paul II about what © Haaf

* Emiritus Bishop of Prague

40 Cardinal Marx and Bishop Bedford-Strohm are at the moment the leading men of the two big churches in Germany. Their personal friendship, but also their vision of unity in diversity con- cerning the 2017 remembrance of the Reformation are a milestone for the way of ecumenism in Germany. The Future Outlines of the People of God A conversation with Reinhard Cardinal Marx* and Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm** Final words by Thomas Römer*** as a priest, was send to a pre- dominantly Lutheran region, I see this as a great enrichment. I have had my prejudices, but walking together with protes- tant Christians and with pupils in Bad Arolsen has made me realize what richness there is present in other churches. This was something really great for © Haaf me. And it did not decrease over the years. The opportunity to work together, not just to- gether for Europe, but together Gabriele Deutschmann: They the Council of the Evangelical for the Church in Germany and see each other on a regular ba- Church in Germany. for all those who are living in sis, they correspond with one our country, this is something another regularly and they get Martin Wagner: Welcome very beautiful. I am glad about on well with each other. Their here in the Circus. We will every opportunity to meet with workplaces here in Munich are start with Cardinal Marx. You people, who are fascinated by located not too far away from conduct many dialogues with Christ. each other, easy to reach by Christians from the most dif- bike. I am speaking of the high- ferent denominations and the You already had the chance est representatives of the Catho- most different Communities. to get to know Together for lic and Evangelical Church in How do you experience this? Europe, and we are interested: Germany. Please do welcome what touches you the most? Do with me His Eminence Dr. Re- Cardinal Marx: I experi- you notice something special inhard Cardinal Marx, pres- ence it as something enriching about it? ident of the German Bishop’s every time. For me, a Catholic Conference and Dr. Heinrich Christian, who grew up in a First of all of it is great that Bedford-Strohm, Chairman of very Catholic region, and later, all of you came to Munich.

* Dr. Reinhard Cardinal Marx, Archishop of Munich and Freising, President of the German Bishop’s Conference ** Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Bavaria and Chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) *** Rev. Thomas Römer, CVJM Munich, Steering Committee TfE

41 © Haaf

When the preparation group onciliation that we walked to- one another – this, in certain came and visited us two, I re- gether. What do you think, what ways, makes us stronger and membered that there already paths of reconciliation are lay- more open, more able. This is had been a big meeting in ing ahead of us? why it is an important point for Stuttgart. Sympathetically I reconciliation and ecumenism noticed that there are Chris- Yes, I do think that reconcil- that we do not circle around tians from different spiritual iation has a real power, espe- ourselves and say: „It would movements who cross denom- cially if we are convinced that be nice for everyone to get inational boarders and invest the People of God, if we may along and to be reconciled…“. in the project ‘Europe’. This call it like this, does not exist But reconciliation becomes a comes out of a spiritual initi- for itself. It has a mission for the powerful dynamic when we ative, out of conviction that, – world. We have heard it from understand: we are here for the something I sometimes share in Irenaeus: the world has to be world. It is about saving the my sermons – the Gospel is not brought home in the commun- world. It is not about us. outbidded yet, not for Europe, ion with the Father in the Holy also not for Bavaria and not for Spirit through Christ. And this It’s almost 2017. In Ger- Germany. There is more to it. mission is accomplished when many we will celebrate a big Not everything has been done the Church is reconciled. When anniversary. We will celebrate yet. Not everything has been we are “unecomenical” or in a the Reformation. The ecumen- said yet, and not everything is conflict mode, working against ical year of Christ will be pro- testified as it could be. And I one another, then we cannot be claimed. What do you wish to have noticed a lot of motiva- a sign to the world that we be- the protestant church for the tion within this group. This is long together. Especially in our anniversary of the Reforma- why I am very glad that this days it is so important that we tion? group has decided to come to make it clear: our walk togeth- Munich. er does not make us weaker. Ah, we only have common Our community and the abili- wishes, I would say. It is no We have heard about recon- ty to overcome boarders to get longer about the other or about ciliation, about paths of rec- to know the Other, to discover ourselves, but it is a thought

42 that has inspired us in the Bish- op’s Conference – and also oth- er believers – brought up by the Bishop and Chairman of the Evangelical Church in Germa- ny: let us celebrate Christ! It is not about looking back, but to follow the message that Martin Luther actually wanted to bring in: let’s put Christ in the mid- dle. And we want to bring this into this society, together with the Lutheran Church with its important reflection of the past

500 years. We promised to one © Haaf another coming from the initi- ative of the Bishop: We do not want to just walk alongside one another, but we want to witness Christ together at the important events this year and this is our contribution for this country.

From the applause you hear the approval of the people. Many share your passion. It is a great privilege that we live in such a wonderful time, where walking together is possible, where we stand here together. © Haaf Gabriele Deutschmann: Now I look forward to hear from you, Dr. Bedford-Strohm. Un- der the title “The Sparkflight” you write about your dream of the new Church. Which inspir- ing sparkflights have you dis- covered here at Together for Europe?

Bishop Bedford-Strohm: First of all I would like to share how great it is when you as Chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church can boldly underline every single sentence said by the President of the © Haaf

43 © Haaf

German Bishop’s Conference Even without this event you made. And – as the cardinal has on the anniversary of the refor- are walking together quite a already mentioned – this is our mation. lot. What is your experience future. And this is why, when of the togetherness of the two we speak about the state of ec- And then you asked about the churches? What moves you? umenism, we also have to talk inspiration, coming especially about our dialogues of doctrine, from the Christian communi- I have mentioned this sever- about institutional questions. ties and from this congress. It’s al times already that my main But first of all we should notice very simple: Together for Eu- experiences are the common how living together as brothers rope is the title of this event. I services, the presence of Je- and sisters is daily reality in know that it has been planned sus Christ. We have celebrat- many of our communities and for years. Your visits took ed many ecumenical services also between our churches.. place about two years ago. And together. In the Munich Ca- This is why the state of ecu- we have to realize in which sit- thedral, there I preach, and in menism is a lot better and more uation we are currently living. the church of Matthew promising than what we would This is a week when the entire or another evangelical church recognize if we only focus on world is talking about Europe; the Cardinal preaches. I really certain topics. This is how I ex- the whole world is worried enjoy listening to him. I always perience when I write or speak about the future of Europe and have a strong spiritual experi- about it. Those topics are also the split up of Europe, that Eu- ence. I am strengthened in my important, but I believe: The rope will drift apart. And here spirit. In those moments it is foundation is what I like to call we find ourselves at a congress not important anymore what the ecumenism of the hearts. simply called: Together for denomination we are part of, When we experience and feel Europe. I don’t think we have but that Jesus Christ is in our that Christ is in our midst to say anything more than the midst. This is not a word. It and that he is the main reality title of this event. is an experience that we have among us. And when Christ is

44 among us there is no other way German Bishop’s Conference second week of the great lent, than him bringing us together. and representatives of the in the beginning of March, we Evangelical Church’s Council. want to confess to one another Cardinal Marx talked about We want to go there as pil- where we have hurt one anoth- the Christ Celebration in 2017. grims. We want to receive pow- er. We want to confess these How are you planning to ex- er. We want to listen to Christ things to one another. We want press of those common things at those places where Christ to ask forgiveness from God that have grown. What steps lived. And we want to take this we want to gain new power to do you want to go? What hopes power home with us and live of step out in unity towards the do you share for 2017? What it, in our remembrance and in future. about “500 years of separation our celebrations. I am con- are enough”? sciously emphasizing both. This is why the beginning is al- Well, now my heart is so full ready very symbolical and Gabriele Deutschmann: that you might be in trouble to hopefully it is going to mark You can hear the applause. keep the time limit. What we this entire year. Obviously we It brings hope to experience are going to start with is a trip are planning a big service, a both of you here. Thank you so to the Holy Land. Even before service aimed at Healing of much for joining us. … Thomas 2017 will begin. Mid October Memories. This is a term that Römer, what is on your mind we will be visiting the Holy has just impregnated itself, after the words that we have Land, representatives of the healing of memories. At the heard from these two men? © Haaf

45 © Haaf

Final Words by Thomas Römer***

Thomas Römer: It is great say: situations really change much applause he added: “We to know that the bishops of and doors open. Let us be cou- only can follow Maria in say- this city are standing behind rageous and step through the ing: May your word to me be us. We are living in really ex- open doors. fulfilled”. And as we are com- citing times. It’s not true that ing from different denomina- ecumenism does not make pro- Earlier on today some were tions and churches I would like gress. The unity of Christians is sitting at a table, a dining ta- to add: We say “Yes” together possible! We have to use those ble. This reminds me of the with Mary, the mother of our opportunities that are presented tables that are standing in our Lord and with the fathers and to us right now. Now we have churches, of the altar. Over the mothers of our different church- the people who are friends with past years we have developed es and communities. We also one another, who are connect- a longing that we will be able have to do something. We need ed to one another, who want to celebrate the Lord’s Supper to start loving the fathers and to serve one another, who together at this table. Doors are mothers of the other churches. share hope with one another. opening, let us be courageous. We need such pilgrimages to We want unity and we ask the But this is important for us: we the Holy Land also for us. But Bishops: please keep going this as God’s People do not want to we also need pilgrimages to the path of unity. go without the bishops. We are of the other churches, to waiting for you. You have to their father and mothers, to be We are excited about next lead the way. reconciled with them and to year, about the “Healing of start expressing our love and memories and Remembrance”. One very last point: How awe to the saints of the other These liturgies need an inner shall we respond to everything churches. I believe that this preparation. For the past 15 what we have heard today? I could heal us within our souls. years Together for Europe am reminded of our first mo- Let us say “Yes” with Maria has been the path to such inner ment, when we were together and the fathers and mothers preparation. We have experi- in the Cathedral of Munich on from our communities and enced such a healing of memo- 8 December 2001. Helmut churches. ries, of forgiveness and recon- Nicklas then asked: how shall ciliation. Looking back we can we respond? And, following

46 THURSDAY AFTERNOON, 30 JUNE

At Thursday afternoon 19 Forums were offered as the so called “Congress in Dialogue”. Here, representatives of different communities dealt with different subjects in order to share and enlarge views and perspectives. Forums Subjects and movements responsible for the forum

1 Yes to social responsibility: reconciled co‐ 7 Culture of reconciliation in marriage and existence in border regions? family – experiences and expertise Equipes Notre‐Dame (END), Euregio Christenge- Ecumenical network of responsible persons in meente (ECG), , Charismatic marriage‐initiatives, YMCA Munich, Alpha mar- Renewal in the Lutheran Church (GGE), Mission- riage course, EFA foundation, Équipes Notre ary Holy Spirit‐Community Steyl (MHGG) Dame, Families with Christ, Focolare Movement, Spirit and Mission, IGNIS, Youth with a Mission, JMS 2 Integration and reconciliation – “I was a Altensteig, LISA marriage atelier, network Mar- stranger and you invited me in … you did riage and Family, Offensive of Young Christians it for me” Matthew 25:35 (OJC), proMarriage – Family life mission, Stand Youth with a Mission, Focolare Movement, Com- up, Schoenstatt Family Movement, Team–F, Chris- munity of Sant’Egidio, German Christian Legal tian Life and Training Center (Woernersberger Society (Christ und Jurist) Anker) 3 How are we called to live as Christians in 8 Cost and reward of unity -– overcoming the area of economy? frictions and conflict, nurturing together- Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, Ter- ness. With Walter Cardinal Kasper, Rome tiary Community of the Fraternity of Christ Selbitz Focolare Movement, Edith Wenger (BFP), Schoen- (CCB), Christians in Economy (CiW), Comunità di statt Movement, Tertiary Community of the Frater- Nomadelfia, YMCA Munich, Focolare Movement, nity of Christ Selbitz (CCB), Ecumenical Life Centre Community Immanuel, Schoenstatt Movement Ottmaring, Gospel Centre Munich (EVZ) 4 “Dialogue of life” – experiences of recon- 9 Being pilgrims of the world –- pray and ciliation lived out walk together the paths of reconciliation The Sword of the Spirit, Schoenstatt Movement, Pray & move together (Gemeinsam beten & be- Focolare Movement, Protestant Michaels Broth- wegen), Schoenstatt Movement, Community of erhood, The Transfiguration Fellowship of Minor Christ the Redeemer (CCR), Tertiary Community Orthodox Brotherhoods (Russia) of the Fraternity of Christ Selbitz (CCB) 5 Involvement and the hopes of young 10 Give Europe a soul – lived brotherhood people in Together for Europe. What is the Jesús Morán Cepedano, Co‐President of the Fo- experience so far? How can it be en- colare Movement; The Sword of the Spirit, Interna- couraged? tional Association of Catherinites, Efesia, Focolare The Sword of the Spirit, YMCA Munich, JAHU Biel, Movement Jesus Brotherhood Gnadenthal, Focolare Move- ment, Gospel Centre Munich (EVZ), Schoenstatt 11 “Round tables” – models of reconciliation Movement Free Christ Church Munich (Freie Christengemein- 6 Yes to solidarity with the weakest de), Schoenstatt Movement, Focolare Movement, Rinnovamento Carismatico, Lumen Christi Tyrol, Efesia, ACAT, Community of Sant‘Egidio, Services Loretto Community, Christnet, Intercession for at the Lutheran Saint Matthew church Munich, Austria, YMCA Austria, Pentecostal churches, Life YMCA Munich Center (Julius‐Schniewind‐Haus) Schoenebeck

47 12 Living reconciled. Itineraries, outcomes 16 Renewal of the Church and experiences in the urban environ- Regional Bishop Ulrich Mack, Professor Dr. Tobias ment Faix, Dr. Johannes Hartl, Charismatic Renewal in Dr. Stefan Kiefer, Lord Mayor of Augsburg; Herman the Lutheran Church (GGE), Schoenstatt Move- Weber, Senior Counselor at Mayor‘s office Augs- ment, YMCA Esslingen, Augsburg House of Prayer burg; Father Elmar Busse, Schoenstatt Movement; 17 Living reconciliation – daring to cross YMCA Augsburg, evangelical “Stadtkloster Berlin”, borders evangelical “Stadtkloster Zurich”, evangelical “Quartierkloster Philadelphia Zurich”, Focolare , Tertiary Community of the Fraternity of Movement, Schoenstatt Movement Christ Selbitz (CCB), Communauté du Verbe de Vie Notre Dame de Fichermont , YMCA 13 Path to joy – testimonials of reconciliation Munich, Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic in pastoral care Church (CE), Community Immanuel Ravensburg Tertiary Community of the Fraternity of Christ Sel- 18 Celebrate Jesus with our Jewish brothers? bitz (CCB), IGNIS Academy, ConVita (Germany) We wish to heal our past and Network of incarnation and pastoral care (NIS), YMCA Esslingen, Offensive of Young Chris- Jesus Brotherhood Gnadenthal, Charismatic tians (OJC), Focolare Movement, Berneuchener Renewal in the Lutheran Church (GGE), Equipes Movement Notre Dame 14 Evangelization today – experiences of 19 Spiritual movements and institutional togetherness churches – routes towards mutual enrich- mit Walter Heidenreich (FCJG Horizont), Dr. Chris- ment tian Bearership Sisters, YMCA Esslingen, Tertiary Thomas Maria Renz, Lutheran Community of the Fraternity of Christ Selbitz Rev. Dr. Frank Zeeb, Focolare Movement, Schoen- (CCB), Alpha Germany, Christ‐Treff Marburg, Prot- statt Movement, Tertiary Community of the Fra- estant free church (EFS)‐Sohland, Free Christian ternity of Christ Selbitz (CCB), Families with Christ, Youth Community (FCJG) Horizons, Loretto com- YMCA Esslingen munity Salzburg, Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (OFS), The Sword of the Spirit, Totus Tuus 15 Giving voice to the Word in the New Media Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (OFS) Germany, Mission is possible, Verbum Dei Portugal, Carmel- ites © Pal Toth © Pal

48 “The Congress in Conversation”

© Dobers

© Haaf © Herter

© Pal Toth © Meyer

© Pal Toth © Pal Toth

49 THURSDAY NIGHT, 30 JUNE 2016

Clear the Ring – a Splendid Night in the Circus Krone in Munich

The evening session was completely different – after the first day of the Congress with its stimulating impulses and moving testimonies. And it fitted perfectly to the original surround- ing of the Circus Krone building. Encounter – reconciliation – future, the themes of the whole Congress were expressed in an artistic manner, so colourful and manifold, fitting to the world of a circus. A real circus evening was performed with artistic elements, dance, pantomime, magicians and of course clowns. Men and women from the movements of TfE with their many gifts and abilities got involved this evening with great joy.*

* That’s how Father Elmar Busse from Schoenstatt Movement characterizes this evening. Found in Schönstatt aktuell 2/4 2016, page 11.

50 51 Impressions from the Circus Night

Photos: © Graf, Brehm

52 53 The participants of the Congress enjoyed a very special circus night, prepared and organized by Sr. M. Vernita Weiß and Kornelia Orlob from the Schoenstatt Movement. The “Minions” (Johannes Höfle and Matthias Koch) presented the different parts of the evening: encounter – reconciliation – future. The circus big band (Wil- fried Röhrig, Timo Wagner, Gregor Botzer, Amin Jan Sayed, Lothar Ruf, Carolin Ankenbauer) fascinated the audience with swing, jazz and genuine circus music. Reconciliation needs courage; this was demonstrated at the balance beam by young ladies of the gymnastic teams from the clubs TV Weingarten and SSV Ulm. The pauses were filled by the clowns “Straccia and Blitz Blank” (Anita Lossin und Urs Huber). Melanie and Mario Jäkel, Andrea Sommer

54 and Evelyn Schulz performed an artistic dance with light and cloth. Udo Knöfel and Jürgen Böhme played a musical parody, which linked classical music to rock music. Christian comedy was perfect- ly presented by Thilo Krämer and Bernd Bentele. Barbara Richter showed the perfect clown theatre. Even predators were presented in a show by the mime artist Ralf Knauthe. A highlight of great intensity was created by Frauke Menger in her sand performance: “We are one Europe”. Rap meets Hip Hop, Marie-Catherine Rausch with a dance group and Philipp Obrigewitsch made the audience moving. Mr. Joy enchanted with his high art of illusion and led into an unbelievable deception with undeceived faith. David Brähler, the compere, led in four languages through this splendid evening.

© Haaf

55 CONGRESS Together for Europe 30 JUNI – 1 JULI 2016 MUNICH CIRCUS KRONE BUILDING 2ND DAY

56 CONGRESS Together for Europe 30 JUNI – 1 JULI 2016 MUNICH CIRCUS KRONE BUILDING 2ND DAY Photos: © Haaf Photos:

57 FRIDAY MORNING, 1 JULY Opening © Haaf

Michelle Moran* held a represent this cloud. It may en- meditation on Hebrews 12:1. courage us to grow in faith.*** “We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses”. We ourselves

The Taste of Shared Bread has no Equal

her to three imperatives:

• Let us all sit at one table – and let us do this way more than before! • Let us take a close look at our own wounds, and then, let us disarm ourselves, our speaking, and our way of thinking! • Let us all become mission-

© Haaf aries of hope in our world! And let us be positive that By taking a nightshift, Sr. outcome of all 19 forums. Here, God needs all our genera- Nicole Grochowina** man- she chose the quote: “The taste tions as missionaries!*** aged to put a square peg into a of shared bread has no equal.” round hole and summarized the Coming from this insight lead

* Michelle Moran, England, President of the International Charismatic Renewal Services. Steering Committee TfE ** Sr. PD Dr. Nicole Grochowina, Fraternity of Christ Selbitz (Germany) *** Found in Schönstatt aktuell 2/4 2016, page 14

58 Europe Today On Friday the participants of the congress focused on analyzing the situation of Europe: Where had we got to? And what do we need to confidently look ahead? To gain further insights, Marco Impagliazzo, Gérard Testard, Michael Hochschild and Herbert Lauenroth pre- sented their ideas coming from political, sociological and philosophical points of view. Challenges in Europe – Signs of Time* Marco Impagliazzo**

suit at Flossenbürg for his op- position to Nazism or of Pastor Paul Schneider, who shouted the good news of the Gospel to the prisoners from his cell in Buchenwald, while the guards © Haaf tried to silence him with blows from sticks. I remember the Once again, Christians have The Christian martyrdom in resistance to the processes of to decide in favor of Europe. the 20th century wrote a Euro- dehumanization by the Mafia. They have to do it out of real- pean story of humanism, which Here, we cannot but think of ism: you cannot face the future embraces the whole Continent. Don Pino Puglisi, priest alone. But most of all because These are not archeological in the neighborhood of Bran- Europe is ours: its story is a his- roots or proclaimed values, but caccio in Palermo. He was tory based on Christianity; not actually lived reality. It goes killed because he withdrew the only that of ancient times but from the resistance to Com- young people from the Mafia. also that of the last half centu- munism in the Russian world Furthermore, many missionar- ry since its foundation. 1989 is and the East, which paid an ies, who gave their life in the very much bound to the Chris- enormous death toll: in Russia, world, remembering that Eu- tian roots of this continent: we 300 bishops and one million rope cannot live for itself, but only have to think about the people were killed; Albania has to have an extrovert reality. Fall of the Berlin Wall and the was proclaimed the first atheis- In this sense, Christianity is the liberation process in , tic State of the world suppress- root of European humanism. where the religious elements ing any kind of faith. It is the played an important role; the resistance to Nazism, in which Europe must not live for itself ability of the believers to resist the Christian martyrs became to be seen in the role of John defenders of freedom. I think The Christian faith has a Paul II. of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who strong message for Europe by was hanged after a farce law- turning to the Europeans. It

* Presented in Italian ** Prof. Dr. Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Community of Sant’Egidio

59 calls to live not for oneself. The It is life, solidarity, bonds as a fighting diseases (I think of Apostle Paul writes: “And he shared culture. The way people curing AIDS or Ebola), fight- died for all, that those who live live can become a true culture, ing wars are European tasks. should no longer live for them- even a cultural proposal in the selves but for him who died for void of thoughts or in the midst Africa needs Europe. It is the them and was raised again.” of shouted debates. true answer to the unstoppable (2 Corinthians 5:15). flux of emigration, which will Today, a European culture not be stopped at the boarders The strong call to the Gos- moves between the local, the or by controls in the Mediter- pel of Jesus, brought by Paul to nearby, but also the faraway ranean Sea. Economic rebirth Europe from Greece to Rome, and the global. A European and hope in Africa will stop it! worries the culture of living for view knows how to unite the oneself. It worries the culture inevitable perspective of my Let us make ours the dream of living alone. Europe cannot life’s local scenario with the of the Senegalese President live for itself. The perspective worldwide scenario. We clear- Senghor, a man of European cannot only be the economic ly live this point of interception and African culture: Eurafri- expansion of the own region between these two scenarios in ca, two continents united on a or country. If men and wom- the reality of immigration. It level of equality needing one en only live for themselves, a is a decisive appointment of another. The first mission of country, a community, a nation Christian humanism: welcom- Europe is called Africa. Here, dies. ing people does not mean to be it makes sense to be united. a starry-eyed idealist or only Pope Francis shows that practicing charity, but it reveals Europe is a sign of peace Christianity is a critical cor- an idea. rective when society is only Another appointment for reduced to economic dimen- Europe has a mission Europe is peace. Europe was sions. Despite our limits, the origin of two World Wars which we all know, we already Here we talk about Europe and of the Holocaust. Could it live a humanism in our Chris- and Africa. The European Un- not be a paradigm of universal tian communities, in our com- ion cannot live for itself either. peace and solidarity? Could it mitment – being a true people Yes, Europe has a mission. I not give a decisive contribution in many angles of and am thinking about Africa. We to the story of peace instead of Europe. I would like to call it have an epochal task before us: degrading in the headlines? In a spiritual humanism. The life to connect profoundly and per- the world, Europe is a sign of of the churches and communi- sistently the future of Africa to peace. It is a continent living ties is already very often a re- Europe. A painful and rich his- in peace for 70 years. Europe source of humanism. It is a re- tory binds Europe and Africa. is diverse: different languages, source for the poor and those in But many European countries traditions, cultures, religions, need; it represents a true page withdraw from Africa, which smells and tastes. If Europe is of humanism written in the life only remains the place of im- united in its diversity, it will of societies. We must have the migrants towards Europe. The realize the civilization of liv- courage to let all this emerge. cooperation to develop Africa, ing together. It is civilization that is missing in the world of a homogenized and flattened globalization, which reacts with clashes of civilizations and religions; it is missing in an inhumane economy without

60 humanism. The civilization of will do the same to our values. institutions count a lot in the living together is our answer to We have to have a united Eu- different countries. The human terrorism and fundamentalism. rope with its mission to be Eu- and cultural tissue in which we ropeans, to not be disappoint- live is European. It is the task Civilization of living together ed, to exist in a big and terrible of the Christians to give new world. A more united Europe vigor and verve to the values, The diverse and united Eu- will make the world a lot less on which the European fathers rope represents the civilization terrible. founded Europe, so that Eu- of living together: its ingredi- rope will not only be the one of ents are dialogue, the respect Europe is not a faraway the fathers but also of the chil- of every liberty, the art of liv- dream. Dear friends, we are dren. ing together. Today, we need Europeans more than we are Europe more than ever. Other- aware of. The citizens of our wise, globalization will make countries are more Europeans us irrelevant and, even worse, than they know. The European

Faith in Public Space Gérard Testard*

Europe, because it is not want- ed by everybody.

Public space in modern days

For some people, only concerns their private space. They are tempted to withdraw from public life to the private life given to them by society. If they don’t want

© Haaf to give up the combination of their membership in a church How should we imagine the the future – because nostalgia with their daily life, they com- contribution of religious dis- doesn’t lead anywhere. mit themselves to associations, course in a pluralistic, dem- groups and networks which ocratic and secular society? Bonhoeffer said: “We must certainly represent part of the Every religious community has dare to say contestable things, civil society, but also avoid to ask this question and to deal if this helps to ask vital ques- touching the political field. with it, with regard to the soci- tions.” ety in which it has been placed. For other people, the cur- We are no longer living in an The presence of religions rent profound changes make it epoch dominated by Christi- in the public spotlight causes necessary to reflect on the pres- anity and we have to focus on – here and there – a discord in ence of Christians to guarantee

* President of the community Efesia, Paris. Steering Committee TfE

61 civil rights. As secularism of- atheists and agnostics – as well questions concerning the sense fers only one solution, which as for believers.” He adds: “A of justice in a democracy. is to eliminate the presence of political regime cannot change religion in public, it doesn’t re- the conditio humana, the con- Laicism can neither give ally help to solve the problem ditions of human existence. leave to Christians with regard of religions. Religion has its place in peo- to their historical mission, nor ple’s life. banish churches from pub- A new phenomenon is lic. Even if it protects society changing some of the circum- More than ever, Christians against all forms of religious stances: the growing presence are called to rise and speak in hegemony, it doesn’t silence of Muslims in our countries: in public as well as in the political churches. Their word is legiti- France, Belgium, Germany and sphere, and to be proactive – if mate and often even expected – in Europe. The worrying forms possible, in dialogue with oth- sometimes more than we think, of expression chosen by a radi- er religions. That’s also what especially for answering ques- cal Islam confirm the suspicion Pope Francis tells us. Recent- tions concerning the end and of a general global threat, rep- ly, his encyclical “Laudato si” the meaning of life. resented by religions which are attracted a lot of attention. It said to be the principal factors deals with transformations and If Habermas defines pub- for separation and conflicts, changes to be realised by in- lic space as a sphere, which also including the Catholic dividuals and by communities has been constituted between and Protestant denominations. in order to preserve our planet a civil society of individuals Some people want to strengthen and to be able to pass it on to and the state, Christians can the implementation measures further generations. The World make use of this space to begin for the principle of laicism: in Climate Conference COP 21 a free, contradictory and criti- public space, there shall only was inspired by this encycli- cal debate. Thus, they can form be emancipated citizens who cal, and politicians have often public opinion which provides are free of any religious affil- quoted from it. That’s how so- orientation for state decisions iation. In France the debate is cial ethics look like. or makes a stand against them. held intensively and it reveals, In all these cases, it is the hum- in its political culture, two con- Christians and churches in ble expression of a strong faith cepts of laicism: one which social responsibility which makes us act like that. wants to eliminate the presence We have to present a manifes- of religion in public, whereas Christians, as well as the tation without violence, with- the other concept adheres to the churches, cannot evade social out any will to power, without theory that, even though secu- responsibility. Religions make replacing political power, but larism and the state itself are societies aware of the existence as European Christians – and objective, the society is not ob- of the beyond which transcends citizens with political aware- jective and that therefore, the them and encourages them to ness and the resulting engage- religions may participate in the take risks in history; they rep- ments. discourse of citizens. resent a wonderful source giv- ing life meaning and a place for Communities and church- In the opinion of the philos- ethical training, thanks to the es must acquire a minimum of opher Pierre Manent “religion impulses they give for a good competence for the topics that has to be taken seriously, quite life which invites people to act are concerned. Otherwise, they simply because the idea of God, beyond their capabilities. Re- risk remaining pious communi- or of the Divine, represents ligions also represent a “coun- ties which only react emotion- an indispensable question of terpart” of the society. They ally or leave the upper hand our human existence for both, constitute a critical pole asking to those people who control

62 discourse and the exercise of ter”. Encounters between men Conclusion power. In the end, modern so- and women, encounters with cieties require that religious poor people, encounters with Our faith has to make a pos- traditions commit themselves other people who are different, itive contribution to the politi- to modernize their faith or, at and – above all – encounters cal community. There is not on least, to modernize their use of with Muslims. This is a very the one hand a heavenly citi- language without relativizing present topic and we dedicate zenship and on the other hand their own truths. ourselves to joint actions by an earthly citizenship. There is praying together, by giving tes- one way to live citizenship as a The breath of life emerges timony and in conferences on Christian, which is to contrib- from the encounter between current issues. By doing this, ute to common good and to co- Christians and the world. The we are experiencing real “mir- habitation. This contribution important thing is to create acles” of friendship, in a dy- requires, for sure, that we draw trust, friendship and places of namic which is both, spiritual, strength from our innermost cohabitation. By living this generally popular and civic. belief. friendship, we are empowered to speak. That’s why the role “Always be prepared to give of laypersons is very impor- an answer to everyone who tant for proclaiming the Gospel asks you to give the reason for message. And this without fear: the hope that you have. But do one of the most important char- this with gentleness and re- acteristics of spirituality at Ef- spect.” (1 Peter 3:15–16) esia is the “culture of encoun-

Becoming Reconciled with our Future Michael Hochschild*

Ladies and gentlemen, I came to Munich to offer you a simple, but highly impor- tant question: Does hope have good prospects? I am asking you, since I believe that you as movements may be the answer to that question – no matter what each and every movement of your network might answer separately. Why do I trust you so much? © Haaf

Well, this not due to you, but or is our world enmeshed in a would we call this new world? to the question, which I would hopeless tangle of crises and And, moreover: How can social like to state more precisely now: problems? And if we give our and religious groups support Does hope have good prospects world a second chance, how this new world?

* Prof. Dr. Michael Hochschild, director and professor for post-modern thought at Time-Lab, Paris/Institut d‘Études et de Recerches postmo- derne, studied education, sociology, philosophy, psychology and theology at the Universities of Hamburg, Frankfurt and Bielefeld.

63 Answering these questions ality appears far more complex uation was to start a dialogue in a broad way might be as easy than this. This is due to at least and rely on its success. Here, as asking them, but I believe two challenges. One of them is churches, democratic parties or that this will lead us directly to the disposition of the problems even media were invited to me- the movements and their mean- we are facing right now: We are diate between conflicting part- ing for putting up and support- experiencing a severe crisis of ners. The idea was to strengthen ing the new world. Therefore, I our modern society. Now, it is society and to prevent conflicts would like to state the follow- not sufficient enough to adjust by allowing very different play- ing: to the new circumstances given, ers to take an active part in the 1 If we do not want to get lost since our society has started to public discourse. It is amazing, within our contemporary crises, change in a fundamental way. In that neither social nor religious we need to strengthen our hopes this case, new ways of thinking movements were asked to join for the future. and acting are highly necessary. this process. 2 But there is more to it: The second challenge addresses We also need a new way of de- the new religious movements as Today, this situation has scribing our new world, since such: Now, their faith, their en- changed. Former ways of dia- the term “modernity” does not gagement and their trust is put logues do not seem to work an- work anymore, because our for- to the test. If they pass, they will ymore; in the beginning of the mer mentality of “let’s keep go- lead the way into the new world 21st century new ways of deal- ing” is being bothered in a very which is characterized by trust ing with conflicting parties need sensitive way; eventually, right into the future. But to achieve to be developed. And suddenly, now, we do not know where to this goal the new religious the movements get into sight. go. That means: If our future movements need to understand Can you imagine why – and should become much better, themselves in a new way, i. e. what this means? then I am sure that we should as creative social and cultur- end up in a post-modern society. al powers who act along these Without a doubt, today, 3 This only works out, if lines. To put it in a nutshell: re- movements are more important new cultural players enter the ligious movements need to be- than during the end of the 20th game and provide us with fresh come social movements. century. This is due to the way breath. Here, I would like to ad- in which they have developed, dress the new religious and so- I would like to give some but it is also due to the severe cial movements, since they are further insights into these two crises the society is experienc- led by very sophisticated ideals, challenges and I do start with ing right now. Consequently, which are necessary right now. the disposition of our current a lot of people are looking out That means: You, the move- problems: these problems are for authentic ways of living ments, are looking out for the different from the challenges we and dissociate themselves from daybreak and, consequently, had to face at the end of the 20th attitudes which they judge as for a new way of living which century, when some researchers formal and bureaucratic. Here, could invite churches and socie- were afraid that we were head- it becomes clear why move- ty to share your path. In concre- ing into a “clash of cultures”. ments appear to be more attrac- to: Already today you are show- After the “cold war”, they ar- tive than other organizations. ing us how we can act and live gued, the conflicting differences It can also be stated, that the tomorrow. between cultures might become increasing importance of the the new battleground for inter- movements coincides with the You see, it could be so easy national conflicts. Therefore, systemic crisis of our modern to reconcile ourselves with our orient and occident appeared to society. Here, social processes future – especially for move- become the conflicting parties. which ensure the modern way ments. But, unfortunately, re- The only way to defuse this sit- of dividing labor within society

64 became entangled and therefore to succeed? This might explain you some time and, thereby, ex- started to stumble. “Systemic why religious groups are called presses how helpless you are. In crisis” became the metaphor for now to provide some help and fact, this even shows your lack the modern operating system support, since all the systems of vision! Now it becomes clear which quitted working proper- given seem to disintegrate. that it is highly essential to look ly. Since the financial crisis in forward, or – in other words – 2007 we realize that economy Today, we suffer from indef- to seek reconciliation with our ceased to be our major way to initeness! Let me give you an future. lead us through the challenges example: in modern times free- given. But, unfortunately, right dom has been promised to us. Here, the new social, but even now, there is no other system But nowadays, this freedom has more the new religious move- available, which could fill this turned into a remarkable impo- ments come into play. They are gap, since art is exploited com- sition. If the system does not important, because seeking for mercially while political deci- provide any steadiness, freedom visions and trusting them is a sions are made by central banks cannot be carried out. I would genuine feature of their organi- and not by politicians. I call like to add another example: the zation. They not only offer con- these “hybrid times”, in which “clash of cultures” has been ex- crete ways of alternative living, movements are asked to offer pected and feared, but it turned they also widen all the modern alternatives. And I believe that out to become a “clash within narrowing which characterizes they could do this, since they cultures”. “Cultures” are no ho- the current society in its sys- are capable of showing how life mogeneous entities anymore: as temic crisis. Let me give you an could look like in a different you can see, the current Islam example how this works: take a way – even in modern times. tears itself to pieces; even the look at the modern individual. EU acts in a similar way, and Within your movement individ- The problem we are facing I do not want to go any deep- uals can regain their religious right now cannot be described er into the struggles about dis- strength again. Consequently, as pluralism which we know tributing the earth’s resources, they are willing to and capable from the 18th and 19th century which remarkably threaten the of taking over responsibility for onwards. No, the current prob- world’s social peace. themselves and their environ- lem of pluralism is, that it is out ment, too. of shape! While the world’s so- Under the circumstances ciety was organized as a system given, it is not sufficient enough Having said this, you might relying on dividing labour, it to look back and check out why realize that movements are put was possible to adjust to this or conflicts arose in the past and now to the test. Under these cir- even to “humanize” the system. then to hope that current mech- cumstances and coming from But if the system is out of shape anisms of communication could the research about movements, you have nothing to adjust to! solve them. If you try this mod- it is their task not only to per- Therefore, we need to take into ern strategy, for example, to form as religious, but also as account, that we are watching work on the “refugees’ crisis” social movements. This means the end of the social system you might find out that knowing that they need to believe in known to us, while new pro- about the causes why people are their creative force to shape the cesses of socialization still need leaving their countries might world in a new way. Here, re- to occur. How could modern not help to come to terms with ligious movements are superior institutions answer these chal- the question how we all should to social movements, since their lenges, since it was them, who live together in one country. engagement cannot be restrict- were set up in modern society Asking for the causes, there- ed to one single topic. On the and desperately need that type fore, is no strategy which leads contrary, being aware of God of social system to exist and to reconciliation; it just buys dealing with the whole world,

65 there is an indefinite number manded in this case. All oth- the culture shaping powers of topics religious movements er solutions cannot live up to which lay within your move- can turn to. Instead, it is crucial, the promises which lay within ments, you will become a living how movements and churches global movements like the Fo- testimony that there is a path work together: Experiencing colare Movement, Sant’Egidio, that leads us all out of the cur- reconciliation within one’s own Schoenstatt and all the others. rent crisis onwards right into a movement or church is the only better future. Here, you are con- possibility to preach and postu- To sum up: Does hope has vincingly showing that new re- late reconciliation in an authen- good prospects? I asked you ligious movements are born by tic and trustworthy way. Indeed, this question, because I am very future – and, therefore, you are a single “Together for Europe” sure that you are the answer. absolutely capable of reconcil- might not be sufficient enough You will be needed when it ing all of us with our future. to reach this goal; instead, a comes to our reconciling with “Together for the world” is de- the future. Whenever you seize

Europe in an “Era of Fear” Herbert Lauenroth*

Europe is hiding in the un- derbrush, stuck in the entan- glements of its own limitations and a history of guilt. This un- derbrush is Idomeni, the Mace- donian border, the barbed-wire fence at the Hungarian-Serbian border, but also the various ex- clusions in society.

If we read the biblical sce- nario as for turning Europe into © Haaf a fortress, a measure against Dear friends, I would like to the underbrush, full of shame migrants, it allows another start my – rather fundamental and driven by fear. To the one different reading: It´s the Eu- – reflections on the subject of hiding from the sight of God ropean sovereign standing be- fear, fear in Europe, with two because he has become aware fore us, it´s his exposure and striking biblical respectively of his existential nakedness homelessness we`re looking at. secular images: and wretchedness. This image He is the real refugee, trying to depicts the present situation in escape from himself, the most 1 In a dramatic moment in Europe in a quite drastic way: fatal of all flights. the book of Genesis God calls A continent barricading and en- man: “Where are you, Adam?” trenching itself in its seemingly Therefore Europe has to This call is addressed to the hopeless presence. hear this call from the Biblical one who has sought refuge in God once again. It´s a question

* Focolare Movement; cultural scientist at Ecumenical Center Ottmaring

66 of its destiny, mission and re- fear of the future can be exactly space of bodiless voices, which sponsibility for itself and the what forces us to do everything unceasingly recall the elemen- world: “Adam/Europe, where to make the future better.” tary life-data of the innocent are you?” victims and I feel a new, deep Finally, the great protestant solidarity – especially in view 2 This image of an existen- theologian Paul Tillich takes of this profound primal fear of tial narrowness God calls out fear for the basic experience not only being physically de- of, finds its counterpart in the of human existence: “The stroyed, but being even elimi- visions of men`s cosmic for- courage to be,” he writes, “is nated from the cultural memo- sakenness in an indifferent, rooted in the God who appears ry. The testimony of this place inhospitable universe. Philoso- when God has disappeared in becomes my own experience: pher and mathematician Blaise the fear of doubt.” to provide a place for the lost Pascal expressed it like this: name, to preserve a memory “The eternal silence of these This means: only the expe- for the name of God and its infinite spaces terrifies me!” rience of fear – as the loss of creatures. My guestbook en- It´s about a sense of being ap- an image of God, man and the try is a sentence of the proph- palled or exposed that frightens world that was formerly form- et Isaiah that expresses both man, as he is isolated and be- ative and considered to be im- my consternation and the new ing thrown back on his own. In mutable – unleashes what is hope in the captive closeness of European history this recurring called the “courage to be”. The a fatherly God: “Fear not, for theme has been described as true – divine – God appears so I have redeemed you. I called “loss of the center” or “tran- to speak in the heart of fear, and you by name, you are mine!” scendental homelessness”. he alone causes de-frightening. (Isaiah 43,1) In turn this experience leads 3 However, this fear of loss man to deeper experiences and 4.2 In view of the great Eu- of self and the world can make horizons of being. God reveals ropean tales of fear, Czech phi- room for new experiences at himself in the supposed face- losopher and theologian Tomáš the same time: Czech poet lessness and ahistoricity of the Halík describes a similar ex- and President Vaclav Havel, world as the face of the other. perience: “We do not build the looking back on the peaceful bold project of European unity revolutions in Eastern Central 4 It is therefore necessary to on unknown ground or waste- Europe in 1989/90, spoke of descend into these ‘inner rooms land. We build it on a ground, fear as “fear of freedom”: “We of the world’ of biographical in whose layers forgotten were like prisoners who had as well as collective fears and treasures and burned debris become accustomed to the pris- experiences of loss, in order are stored, where gods, heroes on, and then, being released to to meet the God who saves us. and criminals are buried, rust- the long-desired freedom out of Two examples: ed thoughts and unexploded the blue, did not know how to bombs. From time to time we deal with it and became des- 4.1 Yad Vashem: my visit have to set out on looking into perate because they constant- to the Shoah memorial site last the depths of Europe, into the ly had to decide on their own autumn is an unforgettable ex- underworld, like Orpheus to and take responsibility for their perience for me: I walk through Eurydice, or the dead Christ to own life.” It is, according to the mazy-like architecture as if Abraham and the fathers of the Havel, to face this fear. This is in a daze and finally reach the Old Testament.” how it “enables us to acquire Children`s memorial, a subter- new abilities: The fear of free- ranean space where the light of 5 For me, these various “de- dom can be exactly what teach- burning candles is reflected by scents into the depths of fear” es us to fulfil our freedom. And mirrors. It`s a dark resonance converge in the description

67 © Thierry Bissat © Thierry of the of Jesus in the “sons and daughters of God”, learning for our faith where Gospel of Matthew: “As soon in which “dignity of man” and diffuse, “blind” fears converge as Jesus was baptized, he went “God-likeness” form an indi- and transform into the authen- up out of the water. At that mo- visible unity. tic “fear of God” of Jesus that ment, heaven was opened, and offers new insights. he saw the Spirit of God de- 6 In his book “Letters and scending like a dove and light- Papers from Prison” (Wider- As: ing on him. And a voice from stand und Ergebung) Dietrich • In, with, and through Jesus, heaven, said, ‘This is my Son, Bonhoeffer describes the core de-frightening takes place as whom I love; with him I am well of the Christian identity as a a real frightening-through of pleased.’” (Matthew 3:16–17) response to the question of Je- man towards God: The sup- sus at the moment of his mortal posed exposure of the Son We have to descend with fear in Gethsemane: “Could changes to devotion to the Christ to reach that point of you not watch with me one Father. origin, above which the sky hour?” (Matthew 26,40) – It is • Unity grows as an expe- opens up quite surprisingly. It´s an invitation to the night watch rience of mutual trust. It where God’s law of life shows at the side of Jesus, in his pres- grows from sensitivity for itself: “What comes from above ence facing the Father, in a the mystery of God which is must grow from below.” secular – supposedly godless not at our disposal, the oth- – world. This presence of Jesus erness (alterity) of the other. In this way, in, with and transforms different locations French-Jewish philosopher through Jesus, the “frater- into places of experience and Simone Weil expresses this nal” community of solidarity expectation of Trinitarian life. experience in a striking is formed, in which the indi- way: It´s only the uncondi- vidual members do not only 7 In this key section of the tional “consent to the dis- recognize themselves as “sis- Gospel of Matthew “fear” ap- tance of the other” that al- ters and brothers” but also as pears as a privileged place of lows for authentic closeness

68 and communion with God societies from their margins. fragile, risky intermediate state and man. Klaus Hemmerle, Bishop of of “grace and gravity”: the • So that´s what it is about: Aachen and religious phi- grace of weightlessness, yet Preferring the unknown, the losopher wrote concisely: the creature always having a unfamiliar, the marginalized “Let me learn from you the knowledge of being held and – as a “learning place” of message that I have to pass secure, in a certain sense “re- faith – in, with, and through to you”. deemed” from itself and lib- Jesus. erated for turning towards the • This especially applies to 8 This attitude, however, other. the different charisms and requires a “thrust reversal”, a their communion: in Paris in true metánoia of many a Chris- With this in mind, Henri November 2013 at a meeting tian on their understanding of Nouwen writes: “A flyer must of Together for Europe themselves and the world. It fly, and a catcher must catch, with Jean Vanier, founder calls for a new faith in God’s and the flyer must trust, with of “L’Arche”, it became ap- love for the world which is re- outstretched arms and open parent to us: one of the real vealed in Christ. hands that his catcher will be aims of the charisms is also there for him. […] Remember to receive the “charism of It´s a matter of growing ever that you are the beloved child the world” and to reflect it more into a “culture of trust”, of God. He will be there when to this world. Vanier’s tes- including a worldly trust in you make your long jump. timony has been very im- God that is founded in Jesus. Don’t try to grab him; he will pressive: primarly it´s not grab you. Just stretch out your about living with and for 9 Looking up into the dome arms and hands – and trust, the “addressees” of the Be- of the Circus-Krone building, trust, trust!“ atitudes of Jesus, but from we might think of some trapeze them. In fact they – the sup- artists. For me, they are the true posedly needy and receiving artists of de-frightening: Flyers ones – are the God-gifted hovering in the air, always tak- and giving ones. They are ing the risk of trust, letting go the bearers of a message, a and stretching out again for fu- presence of God that has to ture spaces. An artistic moment return to the center of our in that prophetic and always

Dance performance © Haaf

69 Our Mission of Together for Europe Today The Biblical message meets the present situation: Maria Voce explains how love interacts with political and social circumstances, Steffen Kern emphasizes the strength of hope and, in his Bible study, Thomas Römer invites everybody to cling to one’s faith. Europe Today: The New Commandment Creates a Culture of Fellowships Maria Voce*

Almost 60 years after the Treaty of Rome, it seems that our continent is being pushed towards disintegration rather than European integration.

There are new egoistic ide- as of regionalism, new nation- alisms and local communities start to base their identities on an unwillingness to include and share, and do reject the eth- © Haaf nicity and historical narratives they are actually coming from.. The early stages of Togeth- countries bordering the Medi- It is paradoxical that the new er for Europe were weaved terranean did escalate; we have Europe, which arose after the into the beginning of our new seen massive movements of Berlin Wall coming down, is century, marked by the hope of migrations, and growing intol- tempted right now by fear! And achieving the so-called “Mil- erance. All this has had a big it is tempted to shun itself be- lennium Development Goals”: impact on Europe: there have hind new fences, to build new These goals aimed to end hun- been terrorists’ attacks in cap- walls and fences, and to keep ger, to ensure education, health ital cities, borders have been up the illusion that it could and progress for all, to reverse closed, freedom got lost. Wel- suspend history that is once the consequences of pollu- fare, which used to be Europe’s again knocking at our Europe- tion, and so on. But they are symbol of equality, is decaying, an doors. goals that are far from being values are being attacked, a achieved. feeling of inadequacy is grow- The single currency project ing, more and more people fear was supposed to be a big new Instead, during these few that our culture and way of liv- step towards political union, a years, we have seen global ter- ing is getting lost, and anguish great new identifying moment rorism rising and developing, questions arise what the future in which solidarity and the we have realized that wars in may bring. sharing of sovereignty, in order

* President of the Focolare Movement. Steering Committee TfE

70 to achieve common objectives, In the search for total freedom, religions, ethnicities and cul- were to represent the funda- Europe no longer recogniz- tures, in a 360-degree dialogue, mental pillars. es that its culture was formed until we rediscover that every- through 2000 years of Chris- one is our brother and sister. Actually two examples tian tradition. Denying this show us how little this has been means cutting its own roots and In this way, we have found achieved. First of all, we real- finding itself like a lifeless tree. the root of our European cul- ize that the serious delays and ture once again, and, on this heated debates that followed The idea of fraternity bases foundation, we have tried to the Greek debt crisis, greatly in Heaven, and it aims to understand what is going on in undermined the foundations of shape the whole live on our present times, which affect solidarity among the member earth. and change the entire planet states, even leading to specu- and all humankind as never be- lation on Greece leaving the So, is everything collapsing fore. In fact, applying the ideals Euro. Secondly, there is the then? Is the continent’s dream of peace, justice, freedom and Brexit issue and other separa- of unity being shattered? No. equality today means gaining a tist tendencies which also test We are here together, as Chris- universal dimension, which al- solidarity severely, because tian movements and commu- lows fraternity to become true. leaving the Union is not like nities in Europe, because we leaving a club. Instead, it is believe there is something that We need to nurture a con- like abandoning partners with does not collapse. It is love; scious and responsible vision whom we no longer share the God who is love. Our move- for our future; a vision, that same reason for being together: ments are bearing charisms knows that we need to find the founding pact. which are certainly very differ- creative ways of integration, ent from each other and yet all because we know that various Right now, Europe is going are the work of the Holy Spirit. identities grow together, en- through the dark night of its But the Holy Spirit is precise- rich each other and work for a own principles, the dark night ly the one who creates frater- more just and equitable world. of its dreams. In fact, a great nity – so to speak – among We may not extinguish these sense of disorientation reigns the persons of the Trinity and identities. And that means: we our continent because we ex- who unites all Christians. So need to go beyond a paradigm perience three simultaneous the idea of fraternity originates of security understood as en- crises: an unprecedented mi- in Heaven and it also aims to trenchment and rejection. We gratory crisis, a deep economic shape the whole life on earth. need to learn that this is a false crisis, and a demographic cri- security, Instead, we need to sis. All of us can bear witness enter into a wider framework that we met Christ one day and of “human security”, that is, a While leaving it to others to let ourselves be fascinated and security that gives priority to analyze the reasons for these drawn into his Gospel. Living people and their destiny, the crises, I would like to say that his words led us to change our- preservation of life, the pros- I believe that the deeper causes selves and reach out to others, pect of hope. of Europe’s weakness today is building relationships of gos- due to the denial of God and of pel love and thereby creating We answer: the Risen Lord is the transcendent. This is a re- communities that become leav- right among us sult of the gradual emergence en wherever they are. We have and spread of secular culture discovered a new willingness This creative integration can which wants to get away from to be open to all, crossing the also be sketched out in the net- any link with the supernatural. boundaries between churches, work of our movements: We

71 are all God’s children, who are inspire individuals or associ- self-absorbed, in order to re- united and distinct at the same ations in their commitment to vive and encourage a Europe of time. We are all bound by mu- a free, reconciled, democratic, leadership, a repository of sci- tual love which generates the supportive and fraternal Eu- ence, art, music, human values presence of God among us; rope. We are not talking about and faith as well; a Europe “Where two or more are united an “old” continent, but about which contemplates the heav- in my name, I am there among a living and lively continent, ens and pursues lofty ideals; a them.” (Matthew 18:20). His which discovers, that it has a Europe which cares about, de- gospel is the greatest gift this project to accomplish and that fends and protects man, every network of movements and it can be a gift for the rest of man and woman; a Europe communities can give to Eu- humanity. which bestrides the earth sure- rope. So, this is our answer: the ly and securely, a precious Risen Lord is right among us, I would like to end with point of reference for all hu- and he consoles, revives and Pope Francis’ words to the Eu- manity!” renews through our charisms. ropean Parliament in Novem- ber 2014: “The time has come We believe Together for for us to abandon the idea of a Europe is something which can Europe which is fearful and

Europe Today – Living by Hoping Steffen Kern*

Dear sisters and brothers, we cannot live without hope. Hope belongs to our life. It en- courages us get up in the morn- ing, it allows us reach out to the future, and it helps through our days. Ernst Bloch, the great philosopher of hope, once had said: “If we stop hoping, then we may need to deal with what we fear. So we hope.” We al- ways hope, whether we believe © Haaf or not, there is always a little hope in everybody. We can- come from philosophy.. But, ears, which he said to his disci- not live without hope. Even sometimes it is difficult to jus- ples in his farewell sayings of Friedrich Nietzsche, the great tify our hope. John’s Gospel: “In my father’s atheist, had said: “Hope is like house are many dwellings. I am the rainbow shining above the Let’s hope, we have to hope, going there to prepare a place falling brook of our life.” We but what are we hoping for? As for you.” And we follow him. need hope, it is inevitable from Christians we hope in a con- We shall go this way, because a psychological point of view fident way. We have the word we are hoping. Yes, we do hope – and it is indispensable if you of our Lord Jesus Christ in our in a confident way.

* Rev. Steffen Kern, Chairman of the Evangelical Community Association Wurttemberg, (APIS)

72 Dear sisters and brothers, lice estimates, that here, right be there. We like to offer them the hope of heaven needs to be in the middle of Europe, about sincere relationships. And we accompanied by the responsi- 4000 women are prostituting like to point out, that God does bility for the world. God offers themselves. Among them you not regard any person as hope- us heaven, but he sends us into find old women, who are doing less case. On this basis, we like this world. He gives us this this business for decades, who to show them how to get out of world back, and God also gives have surrendered and sold their prostitution. And by doing this, us Europe. And who, if not souls and their bodies altogeth- we like to show, that God is not Christians, are called to carry er. And there are young wom- willing to forsake our world! the hope to a Europe that has en aswell, very young women. And that even in the deepest to deal with rising nationalism. We used to call this: girls part- miseries of our cities and of Here, it seems as if Europe is ly from Eastern Europe. They Europe, and in the face of bro- drifting apart! In this crucial have been towed or lured to ken existences – supposedly situation we are called to hope, Stuttgart with false promises. broken – salvation is there. And for we do have hope for this Some of these girls have been hope is there. ... Yes, there is world, and everybody should 18 years old for three years – if violence, there are evil forces, see and feel that. you know what I mean. there are abysses, but, still, there is also hope. We need I am from Stuttgart, and I We have started a new pro- people who keep hoping. So let admit, Stuttgart is quite a bit ject with our association in us leave Munich as blessed provincial if you look at Ger- Stuttgart. A project of hope. A people who know that there is many as such – or if you look “house of hope”* in the middle hope for this world and for our at Europe. But despite its pro- of the red light district. Hope life. vinciality, Stuttgart has become we call it and we want to be a hub of prostitution. The po- there for these women, just to

Pantomime to Psalm 65: „… you stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations, …“ Ralph, Knauthe, Stoffwechsel (metabolism) Dresden © Haaf

* www.hoffnungshaus-stuttgart.de

73 Europe Today – a Call to Faith Thomas Römer*

We have seen the challeng- es we are facing in Europe today. We are living in an era where fear and uncertainty are rampant. Things are changing. What will the future bring? What will define our life? Which voice will we listen to when it is all about living with and dealing with these chal- lenges? © Haaf

In his letter to one of the first European churches, the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul verses 22 to 25: One day Jesus they reap the sail and try to bail writes: “And now these three said to his disciples, “Let us the water out of the boat. remain faith, hope, love, but go over to the other side of the the greatest of these is love.” (1 lake.” So they got into a boat Jesus sleeps Corinthians 13:13) Faith, hope and set out. As they sailed, he and love shall define our life – fell asleep. A squall came down And Jesus sleeps. He is in our families, in the economy on the lake, so that the boat was there! But he does not join the and in our political convictions. being swamped, and they were business that the danger, fear in great danger. The disciples and the storm have provoked. Some time ago the chair- went and woke him, saying, He sleeps. By doing that, he is man of the liberal faction of “Master, Master, we’re going to the calming pole in that whole the European Parliament, Guy drown!” He got up and rebuked story. He is fully confident in Verhofstadt, said: “If the pol- the wind and the raging waters; his heavenly Father – this con- itics of hope and passion can- the storm subsided, and all was fidence lets him sleep in peace– not replace the politics of fear, calm. “Where is your faith?” even in the storm. He believes. Europe will keep on march- he asked his disciples. In fear ing into a storm of increasing and amazement they asked one Jesus enters the boat and proportions.” (ZDF Heute, another, “Who is this? He com- the water starts to rage. It is 09/11/2015) mands even the winds and the whipped up by the storm. The water, and they obey him.” four Gospels tell us the story in In the storm a way that we get the impres- Everytime I read or hear sion: This is about a struggle Europe in the storm – yes this story, I am amazed anew. of power! The faith of Jesus – many of us feel that way. The storm is raging, the waves disturbs the powers. These are For this reason I will read a are crashing into the boat and the powers Jesus was talking familiar story from the Gos- Jesus is asleep. The disciples about when he told his friends: pel today. A story against fear start to work, just the way they “Go, preach the Gospel, heal and for faith. Luke, chapter 8, had learned to do as fishermen, the sick and cast out the evil

* Rev. Thomas Römer, YMCA Munich, Steering Committee TfE

74 powers.” In Luke 9:1 it says: Where is your faith? rope has a secret. This secret in “He gave his disciples power Europe’s history is recorded in and authority over all evil spir- Jesus gets up! And he asks the Bible, in Acts, chapter 16. its...“. These evil powers have his disciples, He asks us: There we read in verses 9 and an enemy they cannot defeat: “Where is your faith?“ Jesus is 10: “During the night Paul had the faith that trusts in the love looking for our faith. His ques- a vision of a man of Macedo- of God the Father. Jesus lives tion about our faith is like a gift nia standing and begging him: this faith, and the powers rage to us: he wants to give us faith, come over to Macedonia and against him. he wants to let us partake of his help us. After Paul had seen the faith. And we respond to his vision, we got ready at once to The disciples are not so full question and pray: “Lord, we leave for Macedonia, conclud- of faith. They say: We have to ask you to give us this faith that ing that God had called us to do something or else we will relies on God‘s love first, al- preach the gospel to them.” die. When they realize that ways and in everything. Lord, their previously acquired skills strengthen our faith.“ When we talk about Eu- are insufficient, they wake Je- rope we have to remember this sus up. They talk to him: “Je- We are in the boat with Je- event. The Apostles came to sus, now it is time to get up. We sus. I know that some of you help Europe with the Gospel. are sinking. Do something!“ might be saying today: the boat Since then the Gospel is God‘s “Europe” is filled with no space help for Europe, the calming left. We cannot take anyone else pole in Europe is Jesus Christ. in. But every one of you who Since this beginning, the power takes a closer look will see: Eu- of the Gospel has expanded in © Haaf

75 Europe. It has shaped Europe: In the end the sea is calm. born where fear and egoism Mercy has moved in, and so Jesus has calmed the storm. lose their power. have attention for the poor and Psalm 65 has already said about the weak, humanity, freedom, it: “… you stilled the roaring Will we stand up and stand love, forgiveness, reconcilia- of the seas, the roaring of their with Jesus, who commands the tion – the Gospel has shaped waves, and the turmoil of the powers so that they have to be Europe and made the soul of nations.” (Psalm 65:7) silent? Will we let go of fear Europe come alive. and egoism? Will we relinquish With this Psalm in mind, we them? Jesus got into the boat discover that the story of the called „Europe“ calming of the storm carries a Where is your faith? This global political dimension. The question that Jesus is asking is Jesus got into the boat message of the Gospel shall an invitation to live with him called “Europe”. He has never soothe the turmoil of the na- today and to let our life be de- withdrawn or quit, he is there; tions. It is the word of recon- termined by the Gospel. This he is there even in the middle ciliation that creates this peace. boat with Jesus in the midst of the storms. He trusts and Jesus came into the boat of this will not sink. It will reach the sleeps! Nowadays he is over- world so that this word of rec- shore. Security and integrity looked, he is laughed at, often onciliation could be proclaimed on our journey are not guar- rejected, but his disciples know and produce its effect. This is anteed but with Jesus we will him. They shall call on him and why he surrendered himself definitely reach our life‘s goal. wake him up. It is time to stand to the evil powers. Jesus over- The power of fear loses its hold up – to stand with the resurrect- came them at the cross through over those who take the plunge ed Jesus. his love and is risen from death to walk with Jesus and to stand to bring the word of peace and with him. Faith, hope and love Wherever he is and gets in, love to all the nations. In Jesus, will fill them. the purpose of the boat chang- with Jesus and through Jesus, it es. Any boat that Jesus gets in shall happen. Where is your faith? This is is a lifeboat, not a luxury cruise what Jesus is asking Europe. ship for a nice vacation! It is a And together with the first Jesus is sending us. We shall boat for fishers of men who get disciples in the boat, we fall stand up and go, and call to be- people saved and keep them down and worship Jesus: “Je- lieve in God the Father who from drowning. The boat Jesus sus – who is like you, even the loves us and loves us and loves is in is there to get people into wind and the waves have to us. it so that they may be safe and obey your word.“ sound. That they may also dis- cover the faith of Jesus in that Today Jesus is calling us to boat, get to know Jesus and believe. He is not only calling receive faith from him – faith us, but with us and through us in the Father who loves us and he is calling Europe not to be loves us and loves us. bound by fear and egoism but by this reality: Jesus is here. He is asking about our faith. Our life, our communities and movements, our churches and the whole of Europe shall be- come alive through faith. An atmosphere of faith shall be

76 FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 30 JUNE Round table events Christians in dialogue with politicians and bishops* 17 round table events took place in the city of Munich. The communities and movements were in dialogue with interested persons from Munich. The impulses came from politicians, church representatives and speakers of business and society. © Graf

“The future of Europe relies on its roots” tainability” the experts, Cardinal Turkson, the environment engineer Daniele Renzi, Hans-Her- “The meaning of Christianity is not to satisfy mann Böhm and others, encouraged the audi- religious needs, but to set the world into a new ence to follow the invitation of Pope Francis to light.” This was emphasized by Reinhard Car- a serious and open debate on the climate change dinal Marx in his statement at the round table and its ecological consequences. Cardinal Turk- “The future of Europe relies on its roots”. This son emphasized: “Science and religion should includes the exertion of political influence. Hu- start a dialogue in order to give a common con- man rights or the constitution of Germany have tribution to society.” essential roots in the message of Jesus. But this shouldn’t make Christians proud. They should Solidarity among generations instead start in a humble attitude to make this message concrete within the world. This could Emilia Müller, Bavarian State Minister of La- contribute to overcoming the new threat of a bor and Social Affairs, Family and Integration, primitive nationalism, said Cardinal Marx. commented on “Solidarity among generations”. Europe must live a flexible togetherness of the “Ways to a Europe of sustainability” generations, not isolate itself, but be open for the new: “We must have a wide roof and open In the round table “Ways to a Europe of sus- doors.”

* A report from SCHÖNSTATT Aktuell 2/4 2016, pages 16–17

77 Christian values in professional life

The refreshingly youthful round table on Christian values in professional life interesting- ly turned to European values. Business men and leadership people shared their personal experi- ence such as their commitment to keep jobs in an underdeveloped region, the rehab of a psy- chologically ill mechanic in the familiar sur- roundings of his job, and the combination of family life and professional life in the manner that a married couple could share both. Anoth- er important issue was to be more aware of the “European” forms of poverty – such as compul- sive gambling or excessive debts. © Fischer

“Mysticism of the encounter” tion of people with different ideologies. His fi- nal statement: “The harmony today between us Both, representatives of the “New Left” think gives us reasons for hope.” tank, and theologians and philosophers of Chris- tian movements, came to a dialogue in the round “Martyrdom – a painful witness of Christians table “Mysticism of the encounter”. Walter Bai- today” er, member of the Austrian communist party (KPÖ) and coordinator of the European network “Martyrdom – a painful witness of Christians “transform! Europe”, encouraged the Christians today” was the title of another round table. One to have no fear of secularism: ”Concerning the of the speakers, Michael Brand, member of the last questions of life, we are closer together than German parliament, reminded the audience of we think, it is all about humanity in fullness”. a statement of holy Bonifatius: “We don’t want Jesús Moran from the Focolare Movement to be like silent dogs!” “Personally, I got the pleaded for new and inclusive forms of integra- opinion that we are threatened from outside by © Haaf

78 terrorism and from inside by an aggressive secu- larism. I have less fear of Islamization of Europe than of a fading Christian faith.”

“What stage are we at on the way to unity of Christians?”

“What stage are we at on the way to unity of Christians?” This was asked at the round ta- ble in the crowded Church of the Saviour (Er- löserkirche). Kurt Cardinal Koch said we may have the impression that not many things are moving. But e.g. the Swiss Reformed Church is on the way also to adopt the Joint Declaration of the Doctrine of Justification. The Lutheran Bish- op of Wurttemberg, Frank Otfried July hopes

that “the big sign of unity, the common Lord’s © Ledergerber Supper will be possible, even before the path is fully completed.” The General Secretary of the not by cultures or religions. One should always Wold Council of Churches in Geneva, Olav Fys- be concrete and realistic. Imam Baztami invited ke Tveit, urged: “There is no way to unity which everybody to encounter and get to know each doesn’t include repentance.” other. Many ideas and projects came from the debate between the Catholic philosopher of reli- “Christians and Muslims in dialogue” gion Beate Beckmann-Zöller, the protestant Rev. Thomas Amberg and the French bishop M. At the round table “Christians and Muslims Dubost. Gérard Testard (Efesia, France) de- in dialogue” there was the desire to know each clared: “The medicine against the separation be- other more deeply, to encounter and to cooper- tween Christians and Muslims is to recognize ate, in order to commonly face the social and the other person as brother or sister.” cultural challenges of our time. Pasquale Ferr- ara, newly assigned Italian ambassador in Alge- ria, emphasized that dialogue is led by people, © Meyer

79 Round Tables Subjects and responsible persons and movements* 1 Yes to life from beginning to end 7 Immigration – drama and opportunity for Dr. Marcus Knaup; Mechthild E. Löhr; Stephanie the old continent Merckens, Austria; Jesus Brotherhood, Gnaden- Senior Church Council Member Dieter Kaufmann, thal; Focolare Movement; Elke Pechmann, Offen- Wurttemberg; Michael Schöpf SJ; Archbishop sive of Young Christians (OJC) Emeritus Dr. Robert Zollitsch; Project examples 2 Youth and the elderly – solidarity among of the Community of Sant’Egidio (Rev. Dr. Mat- thias Leineweber) and the Focolare Movement generations (Stefano Comazzi); Comunità Papa Giovanni Emilia Müller, Bavarian State Minister; Michael XXIII; Schoenstatt Movement; Youth with a Mis- Götz, YMCA Bavaria; Community Immanuel; The sion; Agnès Rausch, Community of Christian Life, Sword of the Spirit; Father Hans‐Martin Samietz, Luxembourg Father Stefan Strecker, Schoenstatt Movement 8 The future of our society: mission and 3 Marriage and the family – foundations responsibility of the younger generation for a sustainable society Prof. Dr. Jürgen Eilert; Paul Metzlaff, Office for Youth Prof. Dr. Christoph Raedel; Prof. Dr. Thomas Schirr- Ministry of the German Bishops‘ Conference (afj); macher; Lioba and Andreas Ennemoser, Equipes Philipp Obrigewitsch, Lena Postic, YMCA Esslin- Notre‐Dame Italy; Marly and Hans‐Peter Stasch, gen; Marius Häffner; Lucia Reinsperger, Vienna, Focolare Movement; Bernhard and Monika Stock, Schoenstatt Movement; Christiane Rohn The Sword of the Spirit; Michael and Petra Kiess, Prof. Dr. Hubertus Brantzen, Elisabeth and Hans‐ 9 Together we are strong! – Reconciliation Georg Hagmann, Schoenstatt Movement is alive – future is already here! 4 Ways to a Europe of sustainability Michael Prince of Salm‐Salm; Prof. Miroslav Volf, USA; Rev. Peter Dettwiler, ; Johannes Peter Cardinal Turkson, Vatican; Daniele Renzi, Fichtenbauer, MA, Austria; Rev. Sergej Antunoch, Italy; Rev. Siegfried Großmann; Sr. Nicole Gro- Russia; Rev. Hans‐Joachim Scholz; Claudia and chowina, Fraternity of Christ Selbitz (CCB); Prof. Fred Jung, Prof. Dr. Lothar Ruf, Schoenstatt Move- Luca Fiorani, Focolare Movement; representatives ment; Renate Henning, Community Immanuel of regional protestant churches; Sebastian Eisele, Marianne Pfaffinger, YMCA Munich 10 Gospel for people of today 5 Being called into professional life – do Dr. Christian Hennecke, Diocese Hildesheim; Lutheran Bishop Dr. Hans‐Jürgen Abromeit; Dr. Ro- Christian values work today? land Werner; Alpha France; Charismatic Renewal Dr. Iris Hauth, President of the German Associa- Bamberg; Chemin Neuf; Community Emmanuel, tion for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; Prof. Dr. France; Student Mission Germany (SMD); Commu- Luigino Bruni, Focolare Movement; Manuela and nity of Sant’Egidio; Schoenstatt Movement; Rev. Peter Miller, Schoenstatt Movement; David Denne- Jürgen Baron, German YMCA (AG) moser, Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII; Fraternity of Christ Selbitz (CCB); Christians in 11 What stage are we at on the way to unity Economy (CiW); Comunità di Nomadelfia; Prof. of Christians? Dr. Klaus Henning, Community Immanuel; Dr. Re- Kurt Cardinal Koch, Rome; Lutheran Bishop Dr. inhardt Schink, YMCA Munich h.c. Frank O. July; Metropolitan Seraphim Joanta, 6 Solidarity in the one world Germany; Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches; Dr. Larry Miller, Bishop Emeritus Jürgen Johannesdotter; Ursula Mennonite, USA/France, Secretary of the Global Kalb, Community of Sant‘Egidio; Juan Simoes Christian Forum; Lujaina Toumah, Syria; Dr. Joan Iglesias, Spain, YMCA Europe; Barbara Beu, Stras- Pavi Back, Heike Vesper, Focolare Movement; Dr. bourg, Community Emmaus; Eberhard Schulte, Christian Löhr, Schoenstatt Movement; Sr. Anna‐ YMCA Ansbach Maria aus der Wiesche, Fraternity of Christ Selbitz (CCB)

* The last persons – one or two – in each list were responsible for the preparation and the presentation

80 12 Christians and Muslims in dialogue 15 The future of Europe relies on its roots Dr. Beate Beckmann‐Zöller, Communitiy Imma- Reinhard Cardinal Marx; Jeff Fountain, Schu- nuel; Gérard Testard, Paris, Efesia; Bishop Michel man Centre for European Studies, ; Dubost, France; Pasquale Ferrara, Uni- Branislav Škripek, Slovakia, member of the Euro- versity and Italian government; Rev. Dr. Thomas pean Parliament; Ortwin Schweitzer, Adoramus Amberg, protestant Michaels Brotherhood; Imam Community; Günter Refle, Community Immanuel Mustapha Baztami, Italy; Gérard Testard, Efesia; Prof. Giuseppe Milan, Italy; Antonella Bianco, Fo- 16 Mysticism of the encounter colare Movement Jesús Morán Cepedano, Co‐President of the Focolare Movement; Walter Baier, “transform”, 13 Martyrdom – a painful witness of Christi- European network for alternative thinking and po- ans today litical dialogue, Brussels/Vienna; Cornelia Hilde- Anglican Bishop Michael Nazir‐Ali; Michael Brand, brandt; Petra Steinmair‐Pösel, University Innsbruck; Member of the German parliament, Susanne Nikos Filis, Ministry of National Education and Bühl, Rev. Dr. Matthias Leineweber, Community Religious Affairs of Greece; Father Prof. Dr. Lothar of Sant’Egidio; Kuno Kallnbach, Christian Guest Penners, Schoenstatt Movement; Herbert Lauen- Center Wurttemberg (Schönblick) roth, Franz Kronreif, Focolare Movement 14 The treasure of prayer – importance and 17 Unity – possibilities and obstacles after mandate 500 years Sr. Anna Franziska Kindermann, Congregation of Rev. Dr. Klaus Rieth, Wurttemberg; Prof. Dr. Peter the Franciscans of Siessen; Hanspeter Nüesch, Neuner, Rev. Friedrich Aschoff, Charismatic Re- Zurich, Campus for Christ; Michelle Moran, Eng- newal in the Lutheran Church; Father Dr. Michael land, Catholic Charismatic Renewal; Rainer Harter, Marmann, Prof. Dr. Joachim Schmiedl, Schoen- Prayer House Freiburg; Rev. Dr. David Demian, statt Movement , Director of Watchmen for the Nations; Bir- git Janke, Free Christian Youth Community (FCJG); Bernd Oettinghaus, Evangelical Alliance Frankfurt

© Ledergerber © Hübner © Altner

81 FRIDAY NIGHT, 1 JULY

Looking back – Decisions – Looking ahead

What lies ahead? The Lutheran Pastor Henning Dobers interprets the prophetic word from Isaiah “God is doing a new thing”. In his summary of the Congress, Gerhard Proß emphasizes the “yes” to Together for Europe. Father Heinrich Walter points out the next steps. Thomas Römer encourages us to be Europeans and he prays for the continent. Then Kurt Cardinal Koch di- rects us with his spiritual input to look forward: it is about reconciliation. Something New Springs Up Henning Dobers*

focused on optimizing his life in Babylon. But he inquires and then receives the news how it is going in : things © Graf are bad. And do you know what “See, I am doing a new continent, and maybe also in Nehemiah does? He does not thing! Now it springs up; do our together-process. I would first of all roll up his sleeves, you not perceive it? I am mak- call it the ability to mourn. but he starts to weep. Mourn- ing a way in the wilderness and ing, grieving. He is standing streams in the wasteland” (Isai- My experience is that things there, fasting for days. And you ah 43:19) go very fast in our time. The know, in a sense that is what I media supply us with imag- desire for us as well, that we Dear friends, I would like es. We receive news, and this take the time, that we have the to look ahead with you, asking goes on day by day in a very courage to mourn. Mourning the question what is our specif- fast pace. And we do not take some of the things that have ically Christian contribution, the time to digest what we have become difficult over the last the aspect only Christians can experienced and what we have few years, which have changed contribute to the healing of Eu- seen. I would remind us of the a lot. rope; but before that, I would great city builder Nehemiah in first pause for a moment togeth- the Old Testament. Nehemi- And out of this grieving be- er with you, as I have realized, ah inquires, how is it going in fore God and in prayer, on his there is one thing lacking in our Jerusalem? He could also have knees before God, a new vision

* Rev. of the Lutheran Church of Hannover, Chairman of the Charismatic Renewal in the Lutheran Church (GGE).

82 grows: we will build up the city candle in your hand you cannot But after this, something walls of Jerusalem again. This become violent. Then one hand needs to happen. And that way, Nehemiah begins to build holds the candle, and the oth- something will happen, will be it up again in conversation with er one has to protect the light. connected to our becoming one his Lord and in conversation Thus we experienced a peace- in prayer as God’s people. with friends. What lay waste ful reunification in our coun- Maybe it is also possible that for 150 years, was then com- try with candles and prayers. tonight – I want to pass this on pleted in 52 days. This is the I personally have experienced to those steering this confer- first thing I would like to pass this as the biggest miracle of ence – that we pray once again on tonight. I would encourage our modern time here in our tonight specifically for those us to take time, over and again continent, and I do not want to who are here from Britain. That to grieve before God. That we forget it. we do not only talk about them won’t just tick off everything and hear from them but that we but are honest and open with And we have not made it bless them and pray for them. our feelings before him. happen, but we have prayed And God will do the rest. and God has heard our prayers, And secondly, that in the and therefore I believe the time presence of God, we can then has come that we intensely pray turn it into a positive energy. together as God’s people. And And I believe this is something our prayer will be especially only we as Christians can do. effective if we pray in unity. I This is our specific contribution believe in this, we still have to which only we as Christians in do some homework ourselves. Dance Performance Europe can make, something We can be a model for Europe that no one else is capable of, if we ourselves are able to live which is prayer. I am reading unity in diversity. If we respect a passage from the first letter one another and esteem and to Timothy. There we read in value one another in our tradi- chapter 2: “I urge, then, first of tions and still are one in Christ. all, that petitions, prayers, in- Then we can be an example for tercession and thanksgiving be Europe, and we have to prac- made for all people – for kings tice this a lot more. and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet And then we enter into lives in all godliness and holi- prayer together that God will ness.” work new miracles in this con- tinent as we act together. First I come from a country where of all the miracle of unity of a bit over two decades ago, we the two large Christian de- experienced what is probably nominations in this continent. one of the biggest miracles of Yesterday and today it has al- modern time, a peaceful re- ready been pointed out that unification. I was fortunate to something is being planned still know Christian Führer, the for March of next year, on 12 former pastor of the Nikolai March, a “Healing of Memo- church in Leipzig. And he ex- ries”, a public confession and plained it to me in this way: prayer for forgiveness. You know when you hold a

83 Résumé of the Congress Days Gerhard Pross*

is like we from Together for Europe would be a prophetic sign”. Some people asked if the word prophetic is not exagger- ated. But then – from listening to God – Sr. Anna Franziska On my heart are two things shape already in us. So much had the impulse for Wednes- at the end of these two con- „New“ is alive among us. Let day night: we should speak in gress days. The one thing that us move forward with courage. a prophetic way. moved me was the speech of Let us live the seed of the new Cardinal Kasper. He took up shape that is among us. Dear friends of Together our slogan „500 years of sep- for Europe, I have the impres- aration are enough“ and at the The second thought is about sion that we are called in a new same time turned against all Europe. During the prepara- way to raise our voice. Little those who raise objections and tion for Munich I was already while ago we heard the view said, this step of reconciliation moved several times by this. that Together for Europe de- is required now. And then at Twice when we as the Steering veloped from a child to a teen- the end of that morning we ex- Committee were together we ager and became adult. This perienced Cardinal Marx and got surprised by the negative links to the question: are we Bishop Bedford-Strohm, how news about terror attacks und at ready to take responsibility for both of them have shown us the same time experienced how Europe? Are we ready to speak that we are no more divided but deeply Europe is shattered. out to the inside and to the out- also the churches are connect- Now we met again in these side: “Yes, we are for this Eu- ed with each other. I saw many days and realized how Europe rope, for together in Europe”? of us who were deeply touched is again shaken. This has its Exactly these three words: To- by this in their hearts. These effect on us. And it also affects gether for Europe. I invite us: words and this attitude give us Together for Europe and sud- let us say yes to our responsi- hope. Gabriele Deutschmann denly the three words we have bility for this Europe. just expressed it in the same chosen as motto more than ten way. Hope for becoming one years back become our agenda: and how the new shape of Together “for” Europe. In the Gods people will rise out of it. morning after the decision for We carry the seed for the new Brexit Pater Heinrich said: “It

* YMCA Esslingen, Steering Committee TfE

84 What Should we Do? Father Heinrich Walter*

cret of our Together for Eu- rope is that we became friends. Hospitality is a key issue here.

© Haaf Using the culture of hospi- tality – one small step, which was then followed by hundreds What should we do? This Today we just heard from and thousands of little services was the set question to which the sociologist, Professor to each other. This is how we we were all asked to give an Hochschild, we need to be seen grew. Every step, which we answer. Over the last few days in society. He also spoke of the now continue to take, must be the quote from St. John’s Gos- social and cultural strength he deeply rooted in our friendship pel which we also received wishes us as a movement to for each other, otherwise we twice, came to mind: “I chose have. will lose each other. Therefore, you and appointed you to go that is what I mean by growth. and bear fruit – fruit that will Fruitfulness last.” (John 15:16) We have If we ask ourselves the been chosen not to have an How does fruitfulness come question, how do we contin- easy life but that we may bear to life? In this regard, I would ue? What should we do now? fruit. And this fruit is not just like to say something about I think it has to continue to de- a one off but something that the core structure of our to- velop from within. Of course, remains, something that con- getherness. What is our se- there are some among us, and it tinues to grow, something that cret? Our secret is simply that even brings a shiver down my has a positive outcome on our it lives within each one of back, who want to reach their entire society. us, something I would like to goal much quicker, we want call healthy growth. When is to do something, but if we do I remember the words of Car- growth healthy? It is healthy that, we do run out of breath. dinal Kasper about fruitfulness. when it develops and grows I believe this has been written He said that what happened from the inside to the outside. into our history as a secret in in Augsburg were theological Not something that can happen order to remain healthy that we events which were then signed. overnight, but gradually from develop first of all from with- However here at Together for within, just like a seed grows in; from the inside to the out- Europe, this has borne fruit. He into a plant and a plant into a side, an in this way growth de- used the word: fruitfulness. tree. Therefore, to me one se- velops slowly but in a healthy

* Schoenstatt Movement, Steering Committee TfE

85 manner. Even when we experi- moment in time. That is why I ten to know and taken into your ence spring where everything like to talk about the extension heart? Which step towards sur- is blossoming, where the buds of the pact, it is not the same render is possible for you, so are starting to open, this pro- pact from 2001 and 2004, but that this pact is updated and cess still takes a long time to has grown in depth and width personal? get there. Therefore, we should with new countries. We have not be down heartened or dis- also heard today about the fu- To conclude may I remind appointed if things do not seem ture pact. We just need to think you again of the verse from St. to go quick enough with our about Europe. Moreover, from John‘s Gospel so that each one Together for Europe if this or Maria Voce we heard how it of us can understand it correct- that project does not take shape grew in depth. Whenever it is ly: “I chose you and appointed etc. about surrender, this pact is you to go and bear fruit – fruit worth the cost. that will last.” I would just like to say one last thing. Tomorrow we will So today, I would like to seal the pact with each other invite and encourage you, up once again. This is a pact of until that very point when we mutual respect and love. We seal the pact tomorrow, to ask did it in 2001, 2004, 2007. The yourselves, which expansion pact tomorrow will only reveal or development does this pact and develop its strength when from 2 July 2016 contain for it receives an update by each you? What additional aspect is one of us in our daily lives, ex- there now to this pact? Which actly where he or she is at this new community have you got-

Praising God with Andrea Adams-Frey and Albert Frey © Graf

86 Conclusion and Prayer Thomas Römer*

Some of you have been say- ing that you are experiencing a taste of heaven here. I believe this is the message of Together for Europe: heaven and earth are no longer two separate worlds, but they have become one through Jesus Christ, and we already live this unity in his name. And we want to ex- perience heaven on earth: faith, © Haaf love, hope. you are you in?

For me Europe has become rope, from Portugal to Russia, And I want to invite you to much more concrete again dur- in Poland, in the United King- stand up right now and to com- ing theses last few days than it dom, in France, in Greece. I mit ourselves to the living God had been. Europe is a continent should enumerate all countries in prayer, to the triune God of friendship. Friendship is you are from. I‘m proud to be who is love. an important word, and now I a European, and I have friends have friends from all over Eu- across the whole of Europe. Prayer:

Jesus Christ, we have gathered during these days and dedicated them to you, and we thank you that you have come and that you have been living in our midst. You are risen from the dead. Through this the victory at the cross was validated, the victory over sin and separation, the victory over all powers and principalities that want to keep us from being together, the vic- tory over death which no longer has the power to separate us from you and from one another. Jesus Christ, we want to trust you and to be yours. Help us to follow your commandment to love one another. Help us to follow your commission to live the Gospel in this world and to spread it. Your kingdom come. Your kingdom come into our communitites. Your kingdom come into the churches. Your kingdom come into our peoples in Europe. And your kingdom come espe- cially into the relationships among us. We pray for mercy for all the people in Europe, for those who have lived here for a long time and for those who just arrive. Jesus Christ, we ask you to stand up in Europe and to work among us. Amen

* Rev. Thomas Römer, YMCA Munich. Steering Committee TfE

87 Encounter – Reconciliation – Future Kurt Cardinal Koch*

The crucial contribution that we Christians possess, which we can offer to the future of Europe is that we would be rec- onciled to one another and live © Graf as those who have been rec- onciled. This conference and tomorrow’s Rally are there- reconciled. Reconciliation is until one side has the courage fore reperesented by three key first and foremost a gift which to begin to call it quits. Recon- words: Encounter – Reconcili- God gives to us and from there ciliation begins when the the ation – the Future. Yet the word can it become our mission. other is invited to commit him- reconciliation is located in the With that, God shows us how self to the same way. middle between “encounter” reconciliation is possible. and “future”. This sends the Secondly, in God’s act of signal, that the fundamental re- In the first place, it becomes propitiation it becomes evident quirement for reconciliation is clear that God takes the ini- that reconciliation is no trivial encountering one another and tiative in reconciliation. God matter, rather it is hard work. that from reconciliation the fu- does not wait until we humans It is nothing less than the con- ture can arise. Above all, rec- come to be reconciled. By all sistent love of God towards an onciliation takes center stage experience, God would have to enemy, that was revealed of in Christian belief, as the won- wait a long time. God comes to the cross of Jesus. According derful text of of Paul’s letter to humanity first and reconciles to human logic, the cruelty of the Corinthians, chapter five, them to himself. This demon- Jesus’ crucifiction must im- demonstrates (2 Corinthians strates that reconciliation is ply vengeance to the extreme, 5:18–21). From this I would possible where someone dares so that the world might be re- especially like to accentuate to take the first step, indeed di- turned to order. But in the cross three themes. rectly into the cycle of the mu- of Jesus God made an end of tual building up of arms which all wrath and retaliation. The 1 “It was God who recon- is ever to be observed in hu- only “wrath” that God knows ciled the world to himself in man relationships and common is his uncomprimising No to Christ.” With this statement affairs – even in the economy. retaliation and his love to the Paul plainly shows us that rec- One side arms itself under the extreme. God did not react to onciliation among us human assumption that the other side the escalation of human wick- beings and Christians is only has already done so. And this edness by means of retaliation, possible if we ourselves are cycle of build-up does not end rather with an increase in his

* Prof. Dr. Kurt Cardinal Koch, Cardinal of the Roma Curia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity

88 unending love, which includes ed Christ to his disciples when through prayer Jesus brought a willingness to take suffering he said to them: “Receive the himself to pray for forgiveness upon himself. This is the crux Holy Spirit. If you forgive any- and reconcilaition while on the of reconcilation, to which we one’s sin, they will be forgiven cross: “Father, forgive them, have to attest jointly and ecu- him; if you retain his sins, they for they know not what they menically. will be retained” (John 20:23). do” (Luke 23:34). Reconcilia- The disciples are then sent out tion originates under the cross. 2 From there the view is to dispose of the old and the As a consequence of emulating opened to the Apostle Paul’s outworn, namely guilt, and to Jesus, Stephen, the first martyr second point: For our sakes, bring to the world the new, that of the Church, cries out after God made him sin, who knew is, forgiveness. Therein lies the being stoned, “Lord, do not no sin, so that we could be- task of reconcilation for which count this sin against them!” come the righteousness of God. the disciples of Jesus Christ are (Acts 7:59). By that it becomes completely sent into the world. obvious that reconcilation is These biblical witnesses more than merely a sentimen- 3 “We are therefore ambas- document the wonderful mes- tal feeling. When reconcili- sadors of Christ and it is God, sage that prayer for one another ation is born of love it goes who through us urges, ‘We is the intensive care unit of rec- without saying, that true love plead on the behalf of Christ: onciliation. The precious pearl is willing to understand, but Be reconciled to God.’” This of reconciliation, between not to approve or to declare third point, which appears in Chrstians of different denomi- harmless, that which is in no the Apostle Paul’s letter, does nations and in today’s world way harmless, such as division not just bring to light that we begins in prayer and desires to among Christians. Reconcil- Christians are called to minis- radiate into our everyday lives. iation is the exact opposite of ter reconcilaition, but also and, Let us pray, that from this ecu- a weak hands-off approach to above all, that we do this by the menical meeting reconciliation wrong-doing or to the trivi- mandate and in the authority of may point the way into the Eu- alization of evil which leaves Jesus Christ. rope’s future. Then the three well enough alone, that which key words of this conference is wrong. In fact, one can only In order to be in the minis- and tomorrow’s Rally, Encoun- forgive that which one holds try of reconciliation we must ter – Reconciliation – Future, to be expressly evil and which always take care that we our- will be fulfilled, not just in one would not just ignore in his selves are reconciled. The best words, but in our lives. darker moods. Forgiveness and way that that the Gospel offers reconcilation presuppose that us is prayer. It helps one to see that which was done has been others in a new light, especially explicitly evaluated as evil and those with whom one is yet un- that one is willing to put recon- reconciled, as much as possi- cilation into effect. ble, from God’s point of view. Prayer enables even “enemies” Thus, reconcilation is an to turn into „brothers and sis- exacting enterprise. This is ters“, as Jesus commands us in clearly evident where it is de- the . It is termined by Christ to be man- no coincidence that Jesus ties datory. It must constantly give his call to love of one’s ene- us pause to think, that forgive- my with the further command, ness and reconcilation were “Pray for those who persecute the first gifts of the resurrect- you” (Matthew 5:44). In and

89 Without prayer we cannot achieve anything. Therefore, prayers close the day and prepare us for the Outdoor Rally. Prayers Christophe D‘Aloisio*

That we may see what we nor- mally don’t see. God may open

© Graf the eyes of our heart to see his I shall not speak a long the name of a woman with face in the persons which he prayer, but I want to emphasize wide eyes. I want to invite you leads into our way. Lord, open one word: A word which is a to keep a moment in silence our eyes.. calling, which will be a pro- and to pray that God may give gramme for Europe. It comes us wide eyes, a great and wide Amen. from the Greek mythology. vision. That our eyes may be The meaning of this word is opened – the eyes of our heart.

David Damian**

The prayer I want to pray for go way before when divisions the King of Glory to come in. tomorrow. The Lord asked me started. You can role away the Who is the King of Glory? The to read Psalm 24:7–8: shame all the way to the ori- Lord Jesus Christ, strong and gin when the church was born mighty. “Lift up your heads, oh you in unity. So Father, we are not gates; be lifted up, you ancient asking for a new work only but Amen. doors, that the King of Glory we ask that you will restore might come in. Who is the King all what the church have lost of Glory? The Lord strong and and today Lord we say, as we mighty.” march across the streets may your kingdom come and may So Father we ask that you your will be done and may the will open the ancient gates. We ancient gates be opened for

* Orthodox Fraternity in Western Europe, Brussels, Steering Committee TfE ** Dr. Rev. David Demian, Vancouver, Canada. Director of Watchmen for the Nations

90 Bernd Oettinghaus*

Father in heaven, we pray for a rain of mercy when you open the doors of heaven. Your grace, which spreads across © Graf our country and across our con- tinent. You may, by your love tween the generations – you spread at the Stachus. And let it and mercy, present us with rec- may help us to realize it. And become a real experience for us onciliation, which only can be also a reconciliation between and for the people, who don’t received from heaven. And we the cultures – you may help us know you, that they may ask: want to stand there tomorrow to realize it. And that you may Where does this peace come with our hearts to receive from help us to spread across our from, a peace that reigns on you this rain of mercy. That our continent and in this world the this place of the Rally. heart may be soaked by your heritage of freedom from vio- love. And that reconciliation lence, the peaceful revolution, Amen. will be possible, not only in in your name, for you are the our desires, but in the reality Prince of Peace. Let it be, to- of our daily life, and that this morrow, a day of peace, that reconciliation may happen be- the shalom of heaven may be

* Bernd Oettinghaus, protestant theologian, leader of the prayer initiative “Round Table of Prayer” of the Lausanne Movement in Germany

91 OUTDOOR RALLY of Together for Europe 2 JULY 2016 MUNICH – KARLSPLATZ (Stachus)

92 OUTDOOR RALLY of Together for Europe 2 JULY 2016

MUNICH – KARLSPLATZ (Stachus) Photos: © Grill © Photos:

93 OUTDOOR RALLY OF Together for Europe the 2 July 2016 at the Munich Karlsplatz (Stachus) © Brehm

94 The Highlight of “Munich 2016” An Introduction with Comments to the Outdoor Rally at Stachus Father Lothar Penners*

In the afternoon of 2 July that in the following not even the highlight of “Munich 2016” 20 years such an extent of in- took place: the Outdoor Rally ner and outer developments at Stachus with a focus on: rec- would be achieved as became onciliation and future – in the apparent during the Outdoor sense of our shared responsi- Rally. bility for the future of faith and the continent Europe. It had In this sense the Outdoor been prepared primarily by the Rally was in fact – as envi- intense encounters of the Con- sioned, of course – a display gress especially the preceding of the inaugurated goal – on Friday evening with prayer im- the eve of the Reformation me- pulses and contentual reports morial year 2017. However, on topics like “Reconciliation” it was significantly more than (Cardinal Koch, Rome), Eu- that at the same time: a public rope as a continent of friend- presentation of what had grown ship (Thomas Römer) and an together. And all that in an un- introduction to renewing, deep- spectacular fruitfulness of sev- ening and extending the “Cov- eral vital processes. enant of Mutual Love“ (Father Heinrich Walter). The prayer Some of that was mirrored meetings in different churches in the setting and course of in the city centre of Munich the Outdoor Rally. Those who held by various groups (see the came to Stachus, or rather to following list) also served as the half of the square Karlsplatz a preparation for the Outdoor that was initially reserved for Rally in the afternoon. the Outdoor Rally, encountered a prepared but hardly intrusive However, the Outdoor Rally terrain: a stage, that somehow was not only intended to be and resembled a matchbox given in fact was the highlight of the the surrounding proportions; event in Munich but also the right next to it a screen that was arrival point of the joint path not larger proportionally – any that had started in the years relevant large company in Mu- 1998–2001, as was summed up nich would invest more in and several times during the Con- make more fuss of any adver- gress. At the beginning of this tising event. joint path no one could predict

* Father Prof. Dr. Lothar Penners, Schoenstatt Movement

Photos: © Haaf, Graf

95 About the same can be said I would like to highlight pri- about the gate that was opened marily: step by step in the course of the event. It did not suggest a • Pope Francis and the Ortho- golden fairytale-like future but dox Patriarch Bartholomy I rather showed the opportunity – both appreciated the gath- to remove the barriers of his- ering notably in their greet- torically grown alienation to ing messages. open the way for a new togeth- • In his speech Prof. Miroslav erness. Volf, Anglican theologian, Yale-University, showed a That covers the general set- path to reconciliation in four ting. Whoever wants to under- precise steps – equally rele- stand what happened in this vant for the religious church framework – maybe expecting area and the political social to discover God’s deeds and area. historic impulses generated by the Spirit – should not only In both areas the central reflect the speeches and dec- message was deepened by larations but also specifically means of declarations and sym- the pictures and gestures: the bolic actions in the course of young presenter “couple” who the Outdoor Rally. not only skilfully moderated the event but also showed and First of all the highest rep- radiated the unconcerned sin- resentatives of the church: Car- cerity or sincere unconcern of a dinal Koch (President of the new beginning; the representa- Pontifical Council for Promot- tives of the Steering Committee ing Christian Unity), Seraphim of Together for Europe did not Joanta (Romanian Orthodox seem like senior officials at all Metropolitan for e.g. Germa- but as bearers of life from dif- ny, Central and Northern Eu- ferent groups who contributed rope) and Frank Otfried July their respective share accord- (Vice President of the Lutheran ing to their charisma and main World Federation and Lutheran focuses. In and through all the Bishop in Wurttemberg) asked situational framework the cen- Jesus Christ and each other tral message of the network for forgiveness for their mutu- was expressed prominently al exclusion, for denying each during the Outdoor Rally in other’s love and truth and the its individual contributions as corresponding signs of strife well as in its central actions: and division. Particularly the Unity in Diversity is possible following mutual embrace was – in the religious world among one of the most impressing Christians as well as politically gestures of the Outdoor Rally. in Europe and beyond. “In an embrace there is enclos- ing and release. This is how the path to reconciliation can reach its goal.” (Miroslav Volf)

Photos: © Haaf, Grill

96 As already during the Con- As an outer sign of the will- gress the German represent- ingness to make all efforts as a atives of the Catholic and the network for a Europe of unity Protestant Churches, Reinhard in reconciled diversity in the Cardinal Marx (Archbishop face of a possibly divergent of Munich and Freising and continent (“Brexit” in these President of the German Bish- days, issue of refugees), keys ops‘ Conference) and Heinrich were distributed among the at- Bedford-Strohm (Chairman of tendees. They were labelled the Council of the Evangelical “Together – Reconciliation – Church in Germany (EKD) and Future” as reminders of the Bishop of the Lutheran Church gate that was opened step by in Bavaria) affirmed their in- step, as an encouragement to tention to express the appar- open doors on an individual ba- ent unity in diversity e. g. by sis and to “carry what we’ve celebrating Christ together in experienced into our own so- the memorial year of the Ref- cial environments, not least ormation 2017. Regarding the through the gates of hospitali- ongoing event they reported ty” (Father Heinrich Walter). that there were not only efforts The fact that the keys were dis- to unify Christians but also en- tributed by the teenagers and couraging experiences of tan- that children and teenagers gible unity already. were not only present but even contributed to the event and es- The Outdoor Rally closed pecially to the concert and with the present representa- prayer night following it (with tives of Together for Europe a considerable number of about reading and affirming the mes- 2000–3000 young attendees) sage on 2 July 2016 in Munich: showed that the aspect “future” “Together for Europe. Encoun- had a real historical starting ter – Reconciliation – Future.” point.

Photos: © Haaf, Graf, Grill 97 © Fischer © Grill © Grill

98 SATURDAY MORNING, 2 JULY 2016

In the morning of 2 July ecumenical prayers have been held at six different places. They invited us to spiritually reflect the events happened so far, and to prepare hearts and minds for the Outdoor Rally at the “Stachus”. The preaching based on the Gospel of the day, from: Luke 1:39–47 and 56. Ecumenical prayers in the morning Mary’s visit at Elisabeth (The visitation of Mary) At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechari- ah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. … Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (NIV)

1 Cathedral, Frauenplatz 12 in German language: Chairing: Prioress Sr. Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche, Fraternity of Christ Selbitz (CCB) Co-working: Congregation of the Franciscans of Siessen Preaching: Dr. Gabriele Rüttiger, director of the di- ocesan ordinariate ; Rev. Dr. Walter Dürr, Commu- nity in the Swiss Reformed Church, JAHU Biel; Musical programme: Swiss choir, assembled from diverse communities 2 Saint Michel, Neuhauserstr. 6 in German and Spanish language Chairing: Bernd Oettinghaus, Evangelical Alliance Frankfurt Co-working: Sr. Vernita Weiß, Arnulf Rausch, Schoenstatt Movement Preaching: Father Ludwig Güthlein, Schoenstatt Movement Musical programme: Immanuel Worship Work- shop, Ravensburg 3 Buergersaalkirche, Neuhauserstr. 14 in Italian language Chairing: Jörg Rohde, Community of Sant‘Egidio Co-working: Salome Vischer, Ilona Toth, Focolare Movement Preaching: Marco Impagliazzo, Community of Sant‘Egidio

© Grill Musical programme: Community of Sant‘ Egidio

99 4 Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Holy Trinity Church), Pacellistr. 6 in Polish language Chairing: Walter Kriechbaum, YMCA Munich Co-working: Max Stebler, Focolare movement 5 Saint Jacob, Am Anger 2 in Chairing: Christophe d’Aloisio, Orthodox Fraternity in Western Europe, Brussels Co-working: Gerard Testard, Efesia, Paris 6 Saint Mattew Church, Nussbaumstr. 1 in English Language Chairing: Martin Wagner, YMCA Munich Co-working: Christoph Hemberger, Catholic Char- ismatic Renewal (CE) Preaching: Michelle Moran, Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCRS) Musical programme: John Angelina, Gospel Life Center, Munich © Grill l.: © Fischer, r.: © Grill r.: l.: © Fischer, l.u.r.: © Haaf l.u.r.:

100 SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 2 JULY 2016

5000 participants from over 20 European countries and guests from all over the world came at 2 July 2016 to the Outdoor Rally at the “Stachus”, a central place in Munich. They made it to a great event. The participants came from more than 200 Christian communities and movements. Moreover, ten thousands watched the event by livestream at home or in their local communities. Programme of the Outdoor Rally

Karlsplatz (called Stachus), 2:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Musical programme of the day Outbreakband; LZ7; King’s Kids; KISI from Austria and Germany, Jesus Revolution and many others.

2 p.m. Unity is possible! Words of welcome and video messages from Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew Maria Voce, Focolare Movement: Unity is Possible Short statements of successful unity from different European countries

3 p.m. Reconciliation Opens the Future – 500 Years of Separation are enough Professor Miroslav Volf: Fear Divides, Love Unites Peter Dettwiler and Larry Miller: Reconciliation between Reformed Church and Mennonites Gerhard Proß, YMCA Esslingen: Reconciliation Opens the Way to the Future Kurt Cardinal Koch, Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Bishop Frank Otfried July, Lutheran World Council, Metropolit Serafim Joanta, Romanian Orthodox Church: a conversation Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, World Council of Churches: A Sign of Hope

4 p.m. A Culture of Relationship and Mercy Gérard Testard, Efesia: Changed Attitudes by TOGETHER FOR EUROPE Young people: their visions and hopes for Europe Jeff Fountain, Youth with a Mission and Schuman centre: AD FONTES – Back to our roots! Andrea Riccardi/Marco Impagliazzo, Community of Sant’Egidio: Not Walls but Bridges

5 p.m. Mission and Future: “The Open Gate” Reinhard Cardinal Marx; Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm; Father Heinrich Walter, Schoenstatt Movement: a Conversation Concluding Message: Thomas Römer, YMCA Munich and Steering Committee

6 p.m. Meeting and Music

7 p.m.–10 p.m. Music – Impulse – Joy Walter Heidenreich, Free Christian Youth Community (FCJG); Paul Manwaring, Bethel Church; Gerhard Kehl, Jordan foundation; Matthias Kunick, YMCA Munich; Jessica Angelina, Gospel Life Center Munich; Christof Michos, Gospel Centre (EVZ) Munich; Father Hans-Martin Samietz, Schoenstatt Movement

101 I Unity is possible Introduction

In their greeting statement members of the Steering Committee of Together for Europe were already setting the wide horizon of the Outdoor Rally which took place at the end of the Con- gress. Gerhard Pross (from the YMCA Esslingen) welcomed the participants on behalf of the Steering Committee and explained why Together for Europe had invited to join the Rally.

For 15 years, we have expe- ed Europe. We are aware of Hope was given by Father rienced that reconciliation and our responsibility: the destiny Heinrich Walter of Schoenstatt unity are possible. We could not of the refugees and migrants Movement: be more diverse, coming from who seek a better future while different denominations, spirit- we see our doors and hearts We decided to give a testi- uality and culture. And yet there closed; the difficulty of a true mony of our experiences. Leav- is Jesus Christ in our midst, and “living together” in a tie of vio- ing fears and limitations be- that experience is deeper than lence and fear due to the terror- hind, we sincerely stick to our all the other differences. From ist attacks in Paris and Brussels hopes, and this leads us to this common experience, we do – just to mention some of the deeply believe in the future. say today: 500 years of separa- trials. In our settings, and per- Therefore, today’s principal tion of the churches are enough. haps even in our communities, symbol is a gate: a locked gate Unity is possible. we can notice a certain weari- has to protect the city, but an ness or even resignation; we open gate promises encounter Hilde Kieboom, Community of are too weak, too few, too pow- and reconciliation, cultural, Sant’Egidio, emphasized the erless to respond and act effec- economic and spiritual ex- European dimension of the tively. But: we will not give up, change. Jesus Christ is our liv- Rally: our hope is stronger. Together, ing gate. Believing in him, en- we want to build enforce this. counters, reconciliation and We came here to strength- future become possible. en our commitment to a unit- © Grill

102 © Haaf

Unity is Possible Maria Voce*

“Unity is possible”. Is this This Love has opened our an absurd affirmation today, eyes and our heart to embrace in a Europe marked by glob- the fears, tears and hopes of al terrorism, a multiplication this continent. In all that is of wars, migrations of biblical negative, which seems to over- proportions and growing intol- whelm us, we perceive the pain erance? Are we talking about a that God who became man suf- We can be reconciled with dream, a utopia? fered on the cross and through one another because on the which he showed his limitless cross Jesus reconciled us with No. We are talking about love and gave us the hope of God and amongst ourselves. an experience which sever- resurrection. al movements and Christian We can walk securely to- communities in Europe have Three key words character- wards the future because the already been living for over 15 ise this event: meeting – recon- one who conquered death is years, bearing witness that uni- ciliation – future. walking in our midst and is ty is possible. We have experi- leading us towards Europe- enced that there is something We can meet one another an unity and the unity of the indestructible and timeless because God came to meet us world, until his prayer “May which binds us: it is Love, God first through his incarnation. they all be one” is fulfilled who is Love. (John 17:21).

* President of the Focolare Movement. Steering Committee TfE

103 It is worthwhile committing

our lives for such for such a © Haaf high goal.

Together we want to ask for- with and for all the men and land … for the sake of the mu- giveness for the divisions of women on earth. tual love among states which the past which caused wars and God asks of us, just as he asks death in Europe. Dialogue can happen be- mutual love among brothers cause of the so-called “Golden and sisters, that day will be the Together we want to bear Rule” which says “Do not do start of a new era”. witness to our unity while re- to others what you would not specting the beauty and diver- wish done to you” (Cf Luke So let’s live for this new era! sity of our churches and com- 6:31). Basically it means to Unity is possible! munities. love. And if love becomes mu- tual it brings fraternity to its Together we want to be at fullness among all. In universal the service of something new fraternity Europe can rediscov- which is needed today so as to er its vocation. make progress once more on the European path. In the 1950s Chiara Lubich wrote: “If one day all peoples What we can offer – by were able to set themselves committing our lives – is the aside, setting aside the idea newness of the Gospel. Be- they have of their own home- fore dying Jesus prayed: “Fa- ther, may they all be one”. He showed that we are all brothers and sisters, that one “single hu- man family” is possible; that unity is possible; that unity is our destiny.

We commit ourselves here, today, to be catalysts of this change, catalysts for a new vi- sion for Europe, so as to speed up the journey towards unity by starting a profound dialogue © Graf

104 Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew could not attend the congress personally. Yet, they attended virtually by sending video messages. Here, they specifically addressed the Rally of Together for Europe. Their thrilling messages marked its wide horizon. Video Message By His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I © Brehm

It is with great joy that we Even when the temptation is member his wise words when- share this brief, but whole- to avoid being together, Chris- ever the world presents us with hearted personal message with tians especially are called to challenges that tend to divide the hard-working organizers demonstrate the fundamental us, that tempt us to withdraw and beloved participants of the principle of the Church, which from communion and being to- Together for Europe event. is communion (koinonia). gether.

Your goal is simple, but It is only when we share Dear friends, “come, let your purpose is immense. the gifts so generously and us look at one another in the There has perhaps never been freely bestowed on us by God eyes.” Because in the eyes of so much need and call for be- that we are able to experience our fellow brothers and sisters, ing together and acting in sol- them fully ourselves. When- we will see the glory of God idarity – both in Europe, more ever he faced difficulties and broadly in the surrounding re- problems, the late Ecumeni- May God bless you all in gions, as well as globally. Our cal Patriarch Athenagoras, our your wonderful initiative to be world is facing unprecedented venerable predecessor, used to Together for Europe. challenges, which oblige us to say: “Come, let us look at one stand together and to work with another in the eyes.” And so we and in support of one another. pray and hope that you will re-

105 Video Message Pope Francis © Brehm

Dear Friends in Together respect for the life and dignity lenges facing Europe and to for Europe, I know that you of every person. highlight testimonies of life in are gathered in Munich, Bavar- society which enable network- ia, from many movements and Europe finds itself in a- com ing, so as to welcome and show groups, for your meeting called plex and highly mobile world, solidarity towards those who “Encounter – Reconciliation – which is ever more globalised and are weak and disadvantaged, Future”. therefore ever less Eurocentric. to build bridges and overcome conflicts whether they are open You are right. It is time to get If we are aware of these mo- or latent. together, to face the problems mentous issues, then we must of our day with a true Europe- have the courage to say: we Europe’s history is an ongo- an spirit. Apart from some vis- need change! Europe is called ing encounter between Heaven ible walls, other invisible walls to reflect and to ask itself and earth. Heaven indicates are being strengthened which whether its immense heritage, openness to the Transcendent, tend to divide our continent. so permeated with Christianity, to God, which has always been These walls are being built in belongs in a museum or is still characteristic of European peo- people’s hearts. They are walls able to inspire culture and to ple. Earth represents their prac- made of fear and aggression, a offer its treasures to the whole tical and concrete ability to ad- failure to understand people of of humankind. dress situations and problems. different backgrounds or faith. They are walls of political and You are meeting so as to You too, Christian commu- economic selfishness, without look together at these chal- nities and movements which

106 began in Europe, are bearers of which grows in unity in so far of your charisms; continue many charisms, which are gifts as its members can fully and to be “Together” and extend of God to be made available to fearlessly be themselves. If it further! Make your homes, others. Together for Europe is Europe as a whole wants to be communities and cities into a unifying power with the clear a family of peoples, it should workshops of communion, aim of translating the basic put the human person back at friendship and fraternity, which values of Christianity into con- the centre; it should be an open can bring people together and crete responses to the challeng- and welcoming continent, and be open to the whole world. es of a continent in crisis. continue to establish ways of working together that are not Together for Europe? Today Your lifestyle is based on only economic but also social this is more than ever neces- mutual love, lived out with and cultural. sary. In a Europe made up of Gospel radicalness. A culture many nations, you bear witness of reciprocity means talking God always brings newness. to the fact that we are children things over, esteeming one an- You have experienced this so of one Father and brothers and other, welcoming one another, often in your lives! Are we sisters to one another. You are a helping one another. It means open to surprises today too? precious seed of hope, so that appreciating the diversity of You, who have answered the Europe can rediscover its voca- charisms so as to move togeth- Lord’s call courageously, are tion to contribute to the unity er towards unity and enrich it. called to show his newness of all. The tangible and clear presence in your lives and bring to life of Christ among you is the wit- the fruits of the Gospel, fruits ness which leads to faith. that have grown from Christian roots, which for the last 2,000 Every authentic unity draws years have nourished Europe. on the wealth of diversity And you will bear even great- which forms it – like a family er fruit! Maintain the freshness © Graf

107 Testimony by Priests and Pastors from Hungary

Tibor Györök*

the city itself. 100 young peo- ple worked for the concert giv-

© Graf en by a rock band.

Feedback form the partici- I am a Catholic priest from from 15 different churches in pants convinced us that our co- Hungary. I speak in the name of more than 20 cities and towns operation will contribute to many pastors and priests from in Hungary take part in these breaking down the barriers be- different churches. In our coun- gatherings. tween people of different views try there are various Christian and between believers and non churches which were mutual- A concrete outcome of our believers. We have learned that ly hostile in the past. Twenty shared journey has been the often Christ’s disciples in a so- years ago, a network of priests „Open Space” project which ciety which is still sleeping in a and pastors from the Catho- was held in Szeged in the au- “post-communist dream” can lic, Reformed, Lutheran and tumn of 2015. We wanted to bear witness to our responsibil- Baptist churches began. We connect more with society. So ity to engage and participate in seek what unites us. Through we decided to organise a festi- civic life. periodic meetings we became val with different institutions, like brothers in Christ. Shared organisations, communities prayer put us in front of God. and artists. 60 different stands We shared the experience of portrayed the activities tak- the daily Word of God, the ef- ing place for the city and its forts and successes of our pas- citizens. The „Open Space” toral work, our spiritual goods project conveyed the spirit of and often our material ones too. receptiveness, cooperation, mutual help and brotherly love. Bishops and key people in We learned that unity is possi- the churches have supported ble. us. The pastors in the Pentecos- tal churches have also set out Over 2000 people including on the path to unity. Currently bishops took part in three days about 200 priests and pastors of community experience of

* Tibor Györök, Catholic priest from Hungary

108 Spiritual Realm Influences our Society, Repentance Changes Things

Pavol Strežo*

eras didn’t helped so much. I prayed and the Lord gave me idea, to identify: which hous- es belonged to Jews and which to Christians before the war. I © Haaf did so and when I came with In 2011 I discovered in ize it. So in September 2012 we the map to the main square, I my home town Dolny Kubin had a first reconciliation meet- was in shock! All problematic a Jewish woman who was ing. The mayor, church author- pubs were in houses, which be- daughter of a man, who per- ities and all the people asked longed to Jews before the war ished in Holocaust. 250 Jewish for forgiveness to God and to and were stolen from Jews. citizens of my town were de- official Jewish representatives ported and killed in a Nazi-de- and Holocaust survivors. Af- I immediately knew that struction camp. I asked her: ter the repentance, one Jewish we had to organize another “did anybody ever say sorry to woman expressed forgiveness repentance meeting with the you for this?” She said “No”. and prayed Aarons blessing focus on the main city square. I called my Christian friends over our city. So I went to the major and told from Slovakia, who love Israel him my plan. I invited a pastor, to Dolny Kubin and we prayed. Few months later I realized, who is the son of a Nazi-sol- It was good, but in my spirit I that a new factory came to our dier and a priest, who is the knew, that this should be a mat- city and two other big compa- grandson of a Slovak guardist ter of authorities of our town – nies enlarged their capacities. (member of the military force spiritual and secular. Our major sees a clear connec- of the Slovak party, which col- tion between repentance and laborated with Hitler). They I went to the mayor with release of blessing in our city. prayed with whole their heart a request for a reconciliation Nehemiah’s prayer: “Lord, meeting. I promised him, that Next year, I saw on the forgive us and our fathers …” God will bless our city for that, website of our city that “the (Nehemiah 1:5–11). because he promised, that if his city government was asking people will repent, he will come for help, to deal with vandal- Two weeks later, young peo- and heal the Land (2 Chronicles ism of the young people in ple from our community came 7:14). The mayor, who was not our city centre.” They stated to me with a request. They a believer, was open to organ- that police guards and cam- wanted to pray every Monday

* Pavol Strežo, Co-leader of “New Evangelization community” in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia

109 and Friday in main city square. things. The two worst pubs Praise the Lord for his mer- Few months later, our major were closed and a third one had cy and for the great weapon in called me and invited me to his problems, so they needed to our hands, which is repentance! office. He expressed his thank- move to other place. fulness that we helped to deal with vandalism in city square. Lutheran young people He told me, that reports of po- opened alternative club called lice decreased rapidly, and they “Garage”, where many young do not need to spend so much people go to instead of going money to repair destroyed to pubs. Reconciliation in Wolgograd

Sergej Altuchov* and Hans Scholz**

Russian television in Kazakh- stan.

© Haaf The message was received: Christians from Germany bring Sergej Altuchov: Christians The tears have washed our blessings and reconciliation, belonging to various Christian souls. And hearts were healed. where previous generations had denominations came to us in sown destruction and hatred. Stalingrad for a week in May Hans Scholz: The prayer But it has become very clear in 1995, 50 years after the war. service on reconciliation was recent months that our genera- For a whole week, they went held in the biggest hall for tion must not only take the re- to nursing homes, schools, kin- Volgograd celebrations. There sponsibility for the sins of their dergartens, factories, hospitals, were about 2500 visitors, rep- forefathers, but even more so and universities. They have resentatives of all Christian today, we have the duty to be asked for forgiveness from us churches and the Jewish com- ambassadors of reconciliation. Russians for the sins commit- munity together with the gov- ted by the during the ernment officials of the Volgo- This is why last year we par- Second World War. They have grad region. It was broadcast ticipated once again together touched old and deep wounds. not only in cities, but also on with a group of Christians in

* Rev. Sergej Altuchov, Protestant community in Volzhsky near Volgograd, the former Stalingrad. ** Rev. Hans Scholz, Baden, Germany, Charismatic Renewal in the Lutheran Church (GGE), Initiative “Road to reconciliation” 1954/1955

110 Volgograd at the 70th anniver- The Prince and Princess had the courage to ask for for- sary of the end of the war and Salm donated a shoe to the mu- giveness for those who cannot, the victory over Nazi Germany. nicipal museum, which their and to use my hands to bless We did it so that forgiveness father had made from a car tire and to say words of comfort. may heal our hearts. This was during the Russian captivity our experience. and had brought it home. Here we are, side by side, embracing each other: a Rus- Together with the Orthodox At the Sunday Mass celebra- sian and a German. bishops, priests and tion, we prayed for the pres- and a large number of pilgrims, ent representatives of Russian Like the Apostle Paul, we we went from the city cen- veterans and we have blessed are “ambassadors of Christ ... tre to the “Mamayev Kurgan” them. and we ask: be reconciled to Memorial. The Easter greeting God.” that followed has united us all The President of the Vet- in this commemoration of the erans Association then took a dead: “Christ is risen – he is commemorative medal from truly risen!” his lapel, and Rev. Scholz placed it in his protestant cas- Although our ecclesial tra- sock to represent all those who ditions and theological knowl- identify themselves part of the edge of the Eastern churches journey towards reconciliation are very different, this proces- in Stalingrad. sion of more than six and a half kilometres made us understand I was surprised because this and live reconciliation. was not part of the program. I © Haaf

111 II Reconciliation Opens Future – 500 Years of Separation are Enough

It was a ground-breaking experience of reconciliation that opened the way of Together for Europe. Gerhard Proß reports that under the heading “Reconciliation opens Future”. Professor Miroslav Volf, Yale University, USA established a wide frame for the topic. The reconciliation between Reformed Church and Mennonite Church shows very vividly the effects a propitia- tion can develop even 500 years later.

The highlight was the concrete act of reconciliation between Kurt Cardinal Koch, Lutheran Bishop Frank Otfried July and Metropolitan Serafim Joanta. This act was accompanied by many bishops from different Churches and by the Steering Committee of Together for Europe, and lead to opening the gate. The joy and cheers of the 5000 participants underlined the enormous significance of this act of reconciliation.

Fear Divides, Love Unites

Miroslav Volf*

against Protestants. Ecumen- ism was dead, a casualty of the war. But the war killed ecumen- ism because ecumenism was sick to begin with. Ours was © Haaf not unity in the common Lord, Jesus Christ, not even unity in a common set of fundamental European unity is under ralistic democracy. But what values. Ours was unity in fear, threat today. I recognize in it replaced it instead was aggres- mainly an instrument of op- patterns of the tensions in the sive, bellicose nationalism. The position to a common enemy. former Yugoslavia in the eight- wars of newly independent na- Once our enemy was gone, we ies. tions were also wars among re- returned to being each other’s ligions – the Orthodox and the enemies. Fear builds fortresses After 1989, we had great Catholics fighting each other, with tall walls and wide moats; hopes that socialist authoritar- and both, each in their sphere fear doesn’t know how to build ianism would give way to plu- of influence, discriminating bridges.

* Professor Dr. Miroslav Volf, Yale University, USA

112 In May of 2005, about a dec- violence is this: the level of It is easy to name the key ade after the war ended in Bos- its identification with a polit- elements of reconciliation, nia, I was walking the streets ical entity and entanglement though it is very difficult to of Sarajevo with a friend, a with the agents of its power. If practice any one of them well. Franciscan priest and a pro- we let the fear of enemies in- We can express them in 5 sim- fessor of theology. In the city, fest our Christian convictions, ple injunctions: new mosques were springing if we let the fear of those who up and the old ones were being want to erode our values from • Remember! Or rather: Re- restored to new glory. within or assault them from member rightly! Without without, drive the search for purified memory, without “We’ve lost the fear of God,” Christian unity, the cross on perceiving ourselves rightly, he said somewhat abruptly. which Christ died to reconcile whether we are perpetrators humans to God and with each or victims, no reconciliation “Fear of God?” I wondered other will morph in our hands process can commence. out loud. into a blood-spilling sword. • Apologize! Without admit- “Largely, the building spree If we, the Christians of Eu- ting publicly and unambig- is not a testimony to deep spirit- rope, want to foster reconcili- uously the wrong we have uality seeking spaces for out- ation and help unite Europe, perpetrated and without ward expression and nurture,” we need to learn how to love committing ourselves to a he argued. “These mosques are God more than we fear one an- changed life, the work of political statements. Muslims other and more than we fear reconciliation would either are asserting their identity and outsiders, above all immigrant not start at all or it would be marking their territory.” Muslims. Christian unity and halted in mid-course. unity of Europe inspired by a “We Christians are not Christian vision cannot be built • Forgive! Without willing- much better,” I noted. In Mo- on fear. It can only be built on ness not to count wrongs we star, a city some 120 km to the love. No, I am not invoking the have suffered against those south of Sarajevo, a 30 meter warm and fuzzy feeling that who have wronged us, rec- tall Jubilee Cross was erected, the flower children of the hip- onciliation will lack its sub- on the very place from which py generation called “love”. stance. Croatian forces used to shell “Love” means giving our ul- the Muslim part of Mostar. The timate allegiance to God, the • Restore! What would apol- cross as religious artillery! source of our life and of all our ogy and the entire journey good. “Love” means acting on of reconciliation turn out to “You make my point,” my the conviction that though we be if we refused to restore- friend replied. may be able to prosper if we -at least in some measure-- live apart and against our near that which we have taken by Christians and Muslims and far neighbors, we can only wronging others? It would alike use religion to occupy truly flourish with them, when be a mere ruse designed to spaces, to celebrate and legit- we flourish together. hide the benefit we enjoy imize their own identities, to from the wrongdoing we keep others at bay, to defend have committed! themselves, and to conquer. • Embrace! In embrace, we The single most significant both close and open our factor determining whether a arms. Without closing our religion will be implicated in arms to embrace of one an-

113 other, the journey of recon- other, decided to forgive both Friends and fellow Chris- ciliation would fall short of the soldier and the nanny. For tians, European unity cannot reaching its goal; but with- each, the same words from the rest on fear, opposition, or en- out opening our arms again Bible provided the motivation: mity; it must rest on justice, to let each other go and be “Be kind to one another, ten- generosity, and flourishing for ourselves, reconciliation derhearted, forgiving one an- all, on what the prophets of old would cancel itself and turn other, as God in Christ has for- have called “shalom”. And our into oppression. given you.” own Christian unity must be rooted in Christ, the embodi- European unity requires rec- A few months after the fu- ment of God’s generous love. onciliation on all three levels: neral, my father traveled a Let us open our arms to one an- political, social, and personal. day’s journey to find the offend- other in knowledge that love, But at the foundation of all rec- ing soldier, assure him of his God’s love, is greater than fear! onciliation is a heart willing to and my mother’s forgiveness And let us not exclude outsid- open its invisible arms to em- in person, and tell him about ers from the circle of our em- brace another. God’s love in Christ. The nan- brace; above all, let us not ex- ny, a Serbian woman whom the clude the poor, who are – with I was one year old when war had left a widow, stayed in the words of Benedict XVI – my six-year-old brother, Dan- our home and became an angel “God’s first love”. iel, was killed because of the of my childhood. Love drove carelessness of a soldier and out of my parent’s hearts the the negligence of our nanny. desire for revenge and fear, and My mother told me that the day it bore the costly but beautiful Daniel was killed she and my fruit of reconciliation. father, independently of each

Reconciliation between Reformed Church and Mennonites Peter Dettwiler* and Larry Miller** in Dialogue

Peter Dettwiler: It hap- the Reform movement in Zu- the history of Felix Manz and pened on 5 January 1527 in rich and spread rapidly from his friends. And I am convinced Zurich: Felix Manz was led, there. Despite brutal persecu- that they were not rebellious with hands bound, by boat to tion, Zurich became “Zwingli’s heretics but heroes of faith and a little house for fishermen lo- city” and not “Manz’s city”. fathers of the church. cated in the middle of the river. Zwingli is part of the history of During his last journey he sang Switzerland – but who knows For Mennonites, Zurich is loudly: “Into your hands, Lord, anything about Felix Manz? the cradle of the church, mean- I entrust my spirit.” Then he ing not only your church, but was drowned in the river Lim- Larry Miller: Who knows ours aswell. But it was as late mat. He is considered the first Felix Manz? I do! I am a Men- as 1614 that the Zurich gov- martyr of the Anabaptist move- nonite, being rooted in the Ana- ernment arrested a 70-year-old ment, whose roots go back to baptist tradition. I grew up with farmer, Hans Landis, judged

51 Rev. Peter Dettwiler, Reformed Church Zurich 52 Dr. Larry Miller, Executive Secretary of the Mennonite World Conference

114 persecution – now and forever. And due to this we feel free and open to embrace the gifts of your church and to regard them

© Grill as gifts for our church. We ex- him as “seditious rebell” and held on 26 June 2004 in Zu- perienced that by confessing, beheaded him. rich. We inaugurated a plaque forgiving and reconciling the which recalls the execution of past has been changed into fu- Peter, in certain ways, the Felix Manz. Our President read ture. past has never passed. For a confession of guilt, in which many centuries, your and my he said, among other things: Peter Dettwiler: Yes, I was histories are completely differ- We confess that the persecu- surprised to experience that ent! They were histories driven tion which took place then, after 480 years of conflict rec- by conflicts, Mennonites and according to our convictions onciliation became possible. the Reformed Church did not today, was a betrayal of the In our Zurich Confession from manage to solve these conflicts. Gospel and that our fathers 2004 the Reformed Church But at last, we come up with a in the Reformation were states: new history; a history rooted in wrong on this point. reconciliation and unity; a his- It is time to understand that tory both of us share. Larry Miller: Peter, it was the Anabaptists’ history is part that day that your church – the of our history, too. Moreover, Peter Dettwiler: Yes, Larry, church of Zwingli – invited we are invited to learn from my brothers and sisters in the me, as a representative of Fe- Anabaptist traditions and to Mennonite tradition opened lix Manz and Hans Landis, to carry on our dialogue with my eyes. I began to see history ascend Zwingli’s pulpit and Mennonite parishes in order to from a different point of view. preach in the Grossmuenster strengthen our common wit- Little by little I realised that church. And as you see, I was ness of the Gospel. we in the Reformed church- not beheaded because of this! es in Switzerland chased out Instead, I came across a parish the Anabaptists not only from full of humility and vulnerabil- our country but also from our ity. memories. For Anabaptists/Mennon- The time had come to open ites this was a breath-taking up the history and give a sign experience. I do not hesitate of reconciliation. Larry, you to call this a day we were de- were part of that historic event livered from being victims of

115 Reconciliation Opens the Way to the Future

Gerhard Pross*

Catholic priest asked forgive- ness of the Lutherans for all the painful things the Catho- lic Church had done to them

© Haaf over 500 years. We Lutherans granted forgiveness and asked Reconciliation opens the more liturgically, others more forgiveness in our turn because way to the future. This is what according to the diaconate. To we have all been guilty. It was we have just heard in our two these were added national and as though a heavenly dyke had statements and this is what we cultural differences. been opened. Together we real- have experienced in Together ized that in that process, which for Europe (TfE) and this is Yet we found ourselves in lasted an hour, something new why we are here and why we deep unity in Jesus Christ. and fundamental came about. have invited you to this day. We are one! Everything began The burdens of centuries van- with the miracle of reconcili- ished and the future opened up We are looking back over the ation. I still remember clearly before us. Forgiveness and rec- 17 years history of TfE, which the “Meeting of those Respon- onciliation were possible and began on 31 October 1999 – sible” in the year 2000. Of we felt as though the moats of the day on which the Joint Dec- course we all knew the his- past centuries had been filled laration on Justification was tory of the divisions between up. signed between the Catholic the churches that occurred 500 Church and the Lutheran World years ago. But on that day the This reconciliation made Federation. Members of other Holy Spirit, through a talk that possible the way of Together churches have joined quickly Bishop Wilckens gave, touched for Europe. We were trans- after that. our hearts and we were deeply formed: our attitudes, prejudic- struck by the extent to which es and our assessments. Almost We come from different the divisions have damaged all of us can bear witness to denominations, Lutherans, the credibility of the Gospel. this and we want to profess to- Catholics, Orthodox, people With good reason Jesus prayed day that unity is possible, unity from the Free churches. We his last prayer for the unity of in Jesus Christ. We live a deep live different spiritualities: the Christians so that the world unity as Christians from very there are those who live in a may believe. We were struck different churches. This recon- Marian , those who live in and spent time together in si- ciliation has enabled the path a charismatic way, some live lent prayer. Into this silence a of Together for Europe.

* YMCA Esslingen, Steering Committee TfE

116 We stay different; we do not level out the road towards the – so that the Churches may re- become the same, and our or- future. Therefore we invite you flect the prayer of Jesus: “may ganisational structures are still to further steps of reconcilia- they all be one, so that the independent, because we have tion. world may believe”. a God who made us different and who loves multiplicity. Yet I feel an enormous response Our unity as Christians will we are one. in the People of God. The Body be a fruit for the unity of Eu- of Christ yearns for unity: 500 rope, for peaceful living in the We are grateful for the amaz- years of division are enough! world and for a new atmos- ing steps that have been taken phere of faith in Europe. by our churches towards unity We are here in this square during the last 50 years. Never- and we are looking towards the Let’s take courageous steps theless, we keep suffering, be- gate. Pope Francis has invited towards unity today, because cause our churches are still not us this year to open a gate of 500 years of division are yet completely one. Division mercy. Let’s open the gates of enough! in the Church is and remains a mercy to one another today, wound in Christ’s Body. But it and as denominations ask for- does not have to stay that way. giveness of one another – and Reconciliation and forgiveness grant forgiveness reciprocally

1500 excited and joyful young people arrived at the “Stachus” during the Rally. They had started their own programme in the morning, called the “Holy Spirit Night” (HSN). When they reached the “Stachus” everybody cheerfully gave their hands to welcome the young people. Later, they celebrated at the “Stachus” until late at night. Here, music and worship filled the air. © Graf © Graf

117 A Conversation between Kurt Cardinal Koch* , Metropolit Serafim Joanta**, Bishop Frank Otfried July*** , and Sister Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche**** © Haaf

Sister Anna-Maria aus der is by the water of baptism. We suffer martyrdom. There are Wiesche: You have a passion have rediscovered the common many Christians who give their for unity and have been in- baptism and are called to dis- blood, and it doesn’t divide us volved in many processes. You cover it anew. It is reported that but unites us. The blood of so saw our gate and how plank when Martin Luther was tempt- many martyrs today is the seed after plank was removed with ed he told himself imploringly: of unity in the body of Christ. every step of reconciliation. Martin, you are baptized! That This is my greatest hope. . What are you grateful for? is said to have helped him very What are your experiences re- much. And it will help us, too. Bishop July represents the garding reconciliation? In the baptism we immerse global Lutheran Church. He is into Jesus Christ and emerge Vice President of the Luther- Cardinal Koch: The most as people who have fellowship. an World Federation and in beautiful fruit of the past 50 The closer we come to Christ charge of Central and North- years is that we rediscovered the closer we come together. ern Europe. What is your expe- fraternity. A global net of And today I think especially rience? friendship was created. And of those Christians who are this net is so fruitful because it not only baptized but have to Bishop July: One wonderful is nourished by good water that take on a baptism of blood and experience is this conference

* Prof. Dr. Kurt Cardinal Koch, member of the Roman Curia, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity ** Metropolitan Serafim Joanta, Romanian Orthodox Archbishop and Metropolitan for Germany, Central and Northern Europe *** Dr. h.c. Frank Otfried July, Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Wurttemberg, Vice President of the Lutheran World Federation **** Sister Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche, Prioress of the Fraternity of Christ Selbitz”

118 and this final Outdoor Rally. Germany and in Western Eu- we need more and more en- This kind of ecumenical to- rope. What is your experience counters and joint prayer to get getherness is something I pray of togetherness and unity, what to know each other better. And for and desire for our future. you are thankful for from the the Holy Spirit will establish This is one experience that it bottom of your heart? the mystical unity within and is possible, that among us more we are able to and more.. do what we are doing right now. There are still And the second some planks left, beautiful expe- the gate isn’t rience I have is fully open yet. that the church- Still there are es showed their painful experi- colours togeth- ences where we er last year and © Haaf have to stand into this year the pain. Bishop when the refugees stood at the Serafim Joanta: I am really July, as you’re holding the mi- gates of Europe – many church- happy about and thankful for crophone, what’s one of those es in many European countries the movements, communities experiences of which you say together! This, too, is an ec- and associations that have con- it’s really painful that we hav- umenical experience in Cari- tributed so much to our unity. en’t managed to resolve them tas and deaconry. That was a I know very well and I am in yet and I want to believe for great witness in Europe. And close contact with the Focolare and dedicate myself to further the third experience is that we Movement, the Community of growth among the Lutherans? as churches in Germany, as Lu- Sant’Egidio and the Fraternity therans, as Protestant Church of Christ Selbitz. We pray to- Bishop July: First of all in in Germany together with the gether, we share thoughts, we general: I think we do way too Christians are really feel we are one. There many things separately which going to cele- we could do to- brate next year gether already as a Christ Cel- despite all the ebration. Then differences. We it will be evi- still have to get dent that Christ better at that. is the centre in And I person- spite of all the ally suffer from denominational the fact that on differences that the road to Em- we have. And maus we have © Haaf this is exactly not come as far what we need to as I would like show this society in Germany really is a mystical unity that regarding table-fellowship and Europe again. many Christians experience in reconciled diversity at the already. I am convinced that table of the Lord. And this Metropolitan Serafim, you precisely this mystical unity is is what I desire primarily for are Metropolitan of the Roma- a precondition for the visible married couples from mixed nian Orthodox Church here in unity of Christians. This is why denominations, too. Often

119 they form a believing home But an apology is not enough, the world is weakened. Young church together, many married it needs forgiveness – and the people, too, suffer – maybe un- couples to whom this is im- door to forgiveness is suffer- conscientiously – because they portant. And I wish we would ing together by the un-whole- haven’t found the meaning of achieve some progress quick- ness of the Lord’s tunic. Only life in God. As Christ’s serv- ly so they can experience the then the motto “500 years are ants we bishops and spiritual grace and the sacrament of the enough” is really credible. fathers can only say one thing: altar together. Come and see how good the Lord is. Don’t Cardinal be afraid to Koch, what look at Christ, is your pain, to listen to your painful Christ, to fol- experience low Christ. and what is your hope We can ex- where we can press thank- take a further fulness, pain step? and interces- © Haaf sion to the triune God. It Cardinal Koch: Already when Metropolitan Serafim, the is him, who is unity and leads I was still at school one de- Orthodoxy, the Catholic and us the next steps towards unity tail of Christ’s passion really the Protestant Church all have step by step, deeper and deep- touched my heart. The Roman their own experiences. What er. And this is what we would soldiers divided everything that is your pain and what is your like to pray together. belonged to Jesus among them- hope for a further growing uni- selves, everything but his tu- ty between the Orthodoxy and nic. They left it as a whole. And our Churches? thus it became a symbol for the unity of the church. Howev- Serafim Joanta: Yes, I suf- er, the tragic thing is that we fer by the fact that there still Christians did exactly what the are fundamentalist groups in Roman soldiers did not dare various churches which ruin to: we divided the tunic of the the pursuit of unity of many Lord. Today I suffer most by Christians. Especially in the the fact that there are so many Orthodox Church. This is a sin Christians who don’t suffer by against the Holy Spirit. I also that anymore. Because suffer- mourn that there are so few ing by this broken unity is the young people in our church- precondition for us to apolo- es. Without them the church gise for what we did wrong. ages and thus its witness to

120 Prayer:

Bishop July: Over the last few days many of us have prayed and asked for mutual reconciliation and forgiveness and for new paths we can walk on. And thus, the following prayer is at the core of these days.

Eternal, triune God, we are beggars, this is true. Repeatedly we come to you with empty hands and ask you to fill them for us. Today we are coming to you like this and ask you for forgiveness. We should have been and should be witnesses who proclaim your presence, your love and your mercy. However, we have often proclaimed ourselves, our importance, our will, our claim to power.

Serafim Joanta: Lord Jesus, we divided your body, did not see it as a whole. We narrowed our view and mistook this for the wide horizon of your presence.

Cardinal Koch: Holy Spirit of God, we have prayed for your presence but in fact preferred to be left alone. We hear about renewal in your spirit and rather prefer to remain unchanged. We hear about new understanding and rather speak our familiar language.

Serafim Joanta: Eternal, triune God, we are beggars, this is true. We are standing in front of you in this truth. Fill our hearts, minds and hands again on our pilgrimage through life.

Cardinal Koch: In your presence we ask each other for forgiveness. We have excluded each other and mutually denied love and truth. We have set an example of dissent and discord to the world.

Bishop July: We are really sorry for this. Forgive us, so we forgive each other. Lord, have mercy. You construct paths of trust, bridges of hope and here and today you grant us a new togetherness in the diversity of our traditions and denominations.

So far we have one thing in common: we pray the Lord’s Prayer, everyone in the language he or she prefers. And in doing so we as bishops we’ll take each other by the hand as a sign of reconcilia- tion. If you like you can do that, too.

Collective Lord’s Prayer © Grill

121 Bishop July: We as bishops a sign, that we ask each other us, which is to accompany us will now embrace each other. for forgiveness and that we are continually on our future paths, You may know that from church granted forgiveness. This way especially on our path to unity. services as a greeting of peace. here in Munich a sign of recon- We will never forget this sign. But today we also do that as ciliation is to be raised among May God help us.

Embrace of the Bishops © Haaf

Gerhard Proß: Dear the same time among the corre- At the same time I ask the friends, something of great sponding churches. This opens bishops from various churches importance has just happened. up new perspectives for the fu- among us whose heartfelt de- We all here at this square feel it ture. sire this is to come on stage for and you have expressed that by this sign of reconciliation and your applause. Forgiveness and Now it’s our turn. Do we join unity. reconciliation have taken place. in to this reconciliation? Do we We experienced the specific re- carry it out? Everyone individ- quest for forgiveness and the ually, among each other? Then declaration of reconciliation let’s exchange the greeting of on a personal level but also at peace like the bishops.

122 © Graf © Graf

123 A Sign of Hope Olav Fykse Tveit* © Haaf

Gerhard Proß: Right next hope. When I see you today I to this stadium which became a to me you see Olav Fyske Tve- see a sign of what that means. turning point in this tackle for it, the General Secretary of the A living hope, a hope for the justice and peace in South Afri- World Council of Churches. Mr world, a hope for the church, a ca. Families of the children that Tveit, how do you feel on such hope for each one of us for a were killed and the policemen. a day full of reconciliation and future together as one body of Only the church can bring them forgiveness? Christ. together. And we came to the stadium thanking God that we Olav Fykse Tveit: When I Let me give you a warm ex- have a living hope. Not a hope see the flags and when I see the ample of what this living hope for one day, a hope for every different symbols we carry as means. Some years ago Presi- day, a hope for our fellowship. Christians we are reminded of dent Nelson Mandela came to A fellowship that really can our identities. I’m a Lutheran, the World Council of Churches brake down the barriers and the you are (Gerhard Proß) a Lu- in Harare and said: without you walls. That we create whether theran, too. In the first letter of I would never be a free man. we are Europeans or whatever. Peter the first that he said about Couple of weeks ago I was We are always seeing this new us as Christians is that we have marching together with people barriers coming. Therefore we been given a new birth, a liv- in Soweto. From one school to have to be the people of the liv- ing hope through the resurrec- another stadium. 14 years after ing hope, to believe that there tion of Jesus Christ. This is our the massacre of the students is another future and it starts identity. People of the living that where killed on their march today. Amen.

* Rev. Dr. Olav Fyske Tveit, Norwegian Lutheran theologian, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, WCC

124 III A Culture of Concernment and Compassion

Young people take the opportunity to express what they hope for Europe and how they pic- ture their Europe to come. Experiences from France (Gérard Testard) and the song of a young woman from Syria show what Europe is up to right now. Furthermore, the future of Europe relies on its roots, as Jeff Fountain from Holland points out. And Andrea Riccardi (founder of Sant’Egidio) offers a fundamental contribution: “Not walls but bridges”. Here, he outlines all that matters in Europe right now. His paper has been presented by Marco Impagliazzo (Pres- ident of Sant’Egidio). After considering all this, the 5000 participants announced their clear and unambiguous “Yes” to Europe in a very touching way. And finally, everybody received a key to open specific doors to the future in his/her individual sphere of activity.

Changed Attitudes by Together for Europe Gérard Testard*

protect themselves from for- eigners or persons in fragile situations. Together for Europe has a vision to foster the unity of the human family in diver- sity, and believes strongly that there are possible ways, without building new walls or creating nationalism and populism. © Haaf

I am the son of a prisoner of together, they truly stir up what I am convinced that the so- war and I grew up with preju- we want to build in Europe. cial and political crisis we are dices about the Germans and experiencing right now princi- other people. The Together for As a young man, my model pally has to be regarded as a Europe has allowed me to make was Robert Schuman. He has spiritual crisis. Therefore, we a profound reconciliation, trans- worked to unite peoples. He was have to work hard on the forming these negative images strongly opposed to the spirit of spiritual unity, that conjoins us in my thoughts and actions. The revenge; he fought for a spirit of all, and we need to encourage German people have become brotherhood and solidarity, and each other to live up to our un- my friends. I have German and was the founder of the Europe- derstanding of brotherhood on a Italian friends, who also have an conscience. This encourages larger scale. This should be our their own stories. The Together me every day to promote a “cul- way of restoring Europe’s soul, for Europe is an adventure that ture of encounter”. which is inevitable for Europe brings together friends who each to come into its calling again in have their own stories, though Persons have a great capac- order to establish and strength- belonging to different peoples. ity to build walls: walls against en peace and freedom for all the They are rich, and having come those who are “different”, to generations to come.

* President of Efesia community, Paris. Steering Committee TfE

125 Young people speak about their visions and hopes for Europe

Johannes Klein*: We have nistic crimes did remain for a es of his character and what asked young people about their long time and it is still percep- he believes. Our task as Chri- idea of Europe. Many have met tible in mentality of our people. tians is to accept each other in and exchanged their hopes. We I hope that Europe could be a our strengths and weaknesses. now shall hear the hopes of five place which is less individual- Exactly these we must import young adults. These five stand istic and more friendly towards into Europe, so that it can grow for many young men and wom- everyone. I will struggle for together into a family. For Eu- en in Europe. Europe in more harmony. rope doesn’t begin elsewhere but within me personally. Marie Mejstríková**: I was Johannes Höfle***: My idea born in the , in of togetherness in Europe is: Adilia Schweizer****: When the heart of Europe, when the everybody begins to accept I think of Europe, I have in communist regime had been his neighbour the way he is, to mind its colourful variety; a falling. The damage of commu- be interested in the influenc- multitude of cultures, religions

* Johannes Klein, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, CE, presenter at the Rally ** Marie Mejstríková, Focolare Movement, spoken in English *** Johannes Höfle, Schoenstatt Movement **** Adilia Schweizer, Schoenstatt Movement

126 © Grill Young people speak about their visions and hopes for Europe

and personalities. This is the es – this is an opportunity for a people. Instead I will stand up feature which for me is signif- united Europe. We could watch for reaching out and realizing icant for Europe. This variety our dreams for Europe pass by each other, and so creating a makes it possible for me, to like comets or we could start Europe full of growing hope, get in contact easily with other making footprints in the sand – respect and mutual trust. I stand cultures, and to widen my own I prefer to make a mark. I’ll be for getting more long-sighted, horizon. I stand up for open a global citizen who’ll actual- and so enflame the mutual in- dealing this variety, so that we ize the change I hope to see for terest and be glad to learn from all can benefit from each other. Europe. each other.

Marcos Benedetti Grob- Lena Besch**: I realize a As a sign of hope we now lackner*: Today, we see how change in Europe. Respect and will start our balloons. Europe is braving a humanitari- tolerance for new and uncertain an crisis among other challeng- things create anxiety in many

* Marcos Benedetti Groblackner, Focolare Movement, spoken in English ** Lena Besch, YMCA Esslingen

127 At the Morning of the Third Millenium Wajd Asmar* © Grill

At the morning of the third millennium At the dawn of the third millennium Yet, there is still hunger, yet, there are still exiled people homeless kids and people have been in prisons for years! cries and tears! Let us, at the dawn of this new era Come on, Let us end all wars – and the world is so longing for justice O’ powerful nations Let us end all oppression, No to poverty End fear No to oppression and agree on justice No to racism Who are you? Who are you? I come from this East I would not question The land of faith but your sadness Our villages home the sunrise told me who you are And the colour of time I don’t know care what colour you are From us to all the peoples of the world or what religion We send our greetings All I know is that May a generation go, a generation come you are my brother On the path to freedom! my brother in humanity

* An arabic song presented by Wajd Asmar from Syria/Luxemburg

128 AD FONTES -- Back to our Roots! Jeff Fountain*

What is the way forward for a Europe where crisis has be- come the norm? The Renais- sance scholar, Erasmus, has a word of wisdom for us. Two

words in fact: ‘AD FONTES!’ © Haaf This was his advice to the kings, emperors and of his day: Return to the source, mention that German neighbour. AD FONTES! He the roots, the fountainhead! who threatened to shatter Eu- said. Return to the roots. rope’s age-old unity. Erasmus For in Erasmus’ day, Europe pleaded for a united Europe Today Europe is a paradox: was also in crisis – through based on the message of love a continent shaped by the story corruption within, and the Ot- and forgiveness modelled by of Jesus – and by its rejection. toman threat without. Not to Jesus Christ. Love for God and Messengers brought that sto- © Haaf

* Until 1990 Director of Youth with a Mission Europe. Director of the “Schuman Centre for European Studies”, Netherlands.

129 ry to peoples from Armenia to dom is living in right relation- This can be our dream still to- Iceland, from Italy to Norway, ship to our Maker, our broth- day for our Europe in crisis. profoundly shaping European ers and sisters, and the world culture and making possible around us. That is why the way But we as followers of Jesus the motto of today’s European forward has to be: back to the must truly live out this Europe- Union: “United in diversity” source! AD FONTES! an motto, United in diversity, something the traditions we Sadly many Europeans to- Sixtysix years ago, Robert represent here have not always day are like squatters living in Schuman, founding father of faithfully done. That is what a house, indifferent to who built the European project, dreamed can attract our fellow Europe- it and on what foundations. We of a “community of peoples in ans: back to the roots. talk of European values – free- freedom, equality, solidarity dom, equality, brotherhood, and peace and which is deeply and human dignity. Yet when rooted in Christian basic val- difficult times come, freedom ues”. The crises facing him and and equality becomes only for his colleagues, Konrad Ade- our sort; brotherhood and hu- nauer and Alcide de Gasperi, man dignity is for those with were much greater than those our skin colour. we face today. Yet as former enemies reconciled through the Brotherhood however be- Gospel of Jesus Christ, they gins with Fatherhood. Equality dared to dream of, and prayed and dignity come from being for, a post-war Europe rebuilt created in God’s image. Free- on the age-old foundations.

Not Walls but Bridges Andrea Riccardi*, presented in German by Marco Impagliazzo**

What has happened to you, to “build bridges and tear down tempted in this way and Europe Europe of humanism, the walls”. His were strong words too. “Festung Europe” “the Eu- champion of human rights, which challenge us as Chris- ropean stronghold” as in the democracy and freedom? The tians but which also touch all saddest days of the Second Pope asked this question two those who have the future of World War. People think they months ago when receiving the our continent at heart. “Togeth- can distance the world’s trage- Charlemagne Prize in the Vat- er for Europe” today is not only dies from themselves by build- ican. Francis was aware that about ecumenical initiatives ing walls so as not to see them. the people who live in Europe that we have been working on But this is only an illusion. It is feel lost and distant from them- for years, but an imperative for also the effect of strident prop- selves, they lack vision. In a all. aganda, of alarmist concerns “Europe which is becoming without justification, also be- increasingly entrenched” the Yes, our times are tempted cause the people who manage Bishop of Rome sees the need by walls. All continents are to reach Europe’s borders are

* Founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome. Professor for history, recently Minister in the Italian Government, recipient of the International Charlemagne Prize. Steering Committee TfE ** Professor Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Community of Sant’Egidio

130 only a tiny percentage of the Kingdom leaving the Europe- going nowhere in the context vast numbers of refugees in the an Union. Jo Cox said: “Our of a global and interdependent world. There are 500 million communities have been deeply scenario. The Word of God it- Europeans. 25 years after the enhanced by immigration, … self, with its spiritual breadth, fall of the Berlin wall and the While we celebrate our diversi- helps us understand how indif- disappearance of the Iron Cur- ty, what surprises me time and ference and closure blind us, tain we are witnessing a new time again as I travel around … making us sad and aggressive. complex of barriers in which is that we are far more united This is why we must build bridges, among people, na- tions, cultures and religions. To be bridge builders is the mission of our time; for us and for future generations; for so- cieties that should inherit the splendid heritage of humanity, of thought and achievement that the smallest continent of the world has been able to de- velop down through the centu- ries. For Christians, who know that mercy is a key opening

© Haaf unforeseen and advantageous vistas across 360 degrees: “Do not neglect to show hospitality the continent is not cut by one and have far more in common to strangers, for by doing that vertical slash but by many dif- with each other than things that some have entertained angels ferent slashes. divide us.” This is true. We are without knowing it.” (Hebrews more united than we think. We 13:2) Yes, dear friends, because must learn to see it, to be sur- the siege syndrome is truly an prised by it, to make it under- So, yes to bridges of mer- illness, it makes us see some- stood. cy. Yes to discovering others thing different. And so a wall and their rich heritage. Yes to is never enough. You need an- Dear friends, we have far understanding that we are tru- other one. It should be higher, greater need of bridges than ly “one thing only”, that there more protective. External walls walls. We need them like air, is a unity and a fraternity to be produce many internal walls, and like bread. We need a new worked for and that we must between European peoples, be- mentality, which breaks down find the ways to “break down” tween parties within the same the clichés, frees us from inten- the many “dividing walls” nation, between areas in the sified emotions and opens us up (Ephesians 2:4) as St Paul said, same city. to the future. Because what we that continue to separate us. see is the end of an old world, I was very struck on hearing not a siege. A new time is be- Right here in Munich, in the a speech given in the House ginning. We must face facts: darkness of the Second World of Commons by the English there is no point in putting our War, a group of university stu- Member of Parliament killed in heads in the sand. We, not only dents with vision and courage a barbaric attack shortly before the Spirit, but reason tells us – the students of the “White the referendum on the United this because a split Europe is Rose” – were able to draw on

131 their faith and on the best Eu- the Europe of their parents but of us can give an example to ropean cultural traditions to re- also of their children. And to- the world, a precious model of ject complicity with evil, call- day the children must have the integration which opens the fu- ing German youth to a revolt in ambition to build a Europe ture by building the present. terms of humanity and the spir- without walls which looks at Certainly bridges are the most it. In one of their leaflets they the world of tomorrow with obvious place for that great referred to the words of one of hope. Many Christians have strength of European fashion- the great writers of this land, worked to build it together with ing: peace. Let’s live in peace, Novalis: “If Europe wants to men and women who shared let’s build peace every day, wake up, if there existed in our the same culture and the same opening up channels of peace future a State of States …”. roots which have the taste and and let’s dream of peace in Eu- beauty of what is universal. rope for the world as a whole!! The older people among us Each one of us, all our commu- have not seen a “State made up nities, our European peoples, of States” arise. The young all of us can take hold of a key people have received it as their to open the walls, to bring fresh legacy: it is Europe. We would air into circulation, with free- like Europe not to be merely dom, humanity and mercy. All © Haaf © Grill © Grill © Grill

132 IV Mission and Future: “The Open Gate” Father Heinrich Walter of the Schoenstatt Movement speaks about hope, the hope that is at the heart of this day. Young people with their experiences underline this hope. In dialogue with the President of the German Bishop’s Conference, Cardinal Marx and the Chairman of the Evangelical Church of Germany, Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm the hope for the com- mon way of the churches is reinforced. The participants were impressed by the close relation- ship of these bishops. Hope now has two impressive faces. Mission and Future Father Heinrich Walter*

many decisions in favour of a culture of relationships in Eu- rope, have shaped our “Living together” over these 15 years. © Graf

So we should not remain complacent with the results. Today we are witness- As it has often happened This “Living together” will es before God who is in our in the , now take on the task of ensur- midst, who acts and saves us. Jesus is sending out his dis- ing Europe of a beautiful future We have experienced signs of ciples among people again at the service of the globalized reconciliation between faiths today. They do not bring any- world. and churches. We opened our thing with them: they have no doors, and each one received a money nor weapons to defend The Lord, who took us on key. We heard words that have themselves. They go with no this journey, will send us to the touched our hearts. We were claim to power. They only have city and places where we came abundantly rewarded. This a new experience in their heart from. Some hopeful signs are gives us confidence and awak- and the strength that God has already clear. We have heard ens hope in times of fear and promised them. some brief testimonies of these, uncertainty. We hope and pray, which will then be followed by through greater unity among Our open doors, signs of our the encouragements of Bishop God’s people, for a new cred- hospitality, the long and diffi- Bedford-Strohm and Cardinal ibility of the Gospel in Europe. cult road of reconciliation, the Marx.

* Schoenstatt-Movement. Steering Committee TfE

133 „Misiones” – Living in Faith Johannes Bechtold* © Haaf

When I put on my yel- We do not want to convert In such moments I am low T-shirt and my “misiones anybody or impose our faith on convinced that God is there and cross” something changes. I anybody else. We want to meet helps me to go beyond my own become a “Misionero”. That is people and it is not important horizon because there is still so very exciting at first. What will if they are Catholic, Protestant, much of God’s love to discov- happen when I ring a door bell? Muslim or do not believe in er. Will I be welcome? God at all. When we meet oth- ers openly and full of joy a true This is exactly what Mi- Misiones are teenagers who encounter is possible. Doors siones means for me. I can get do parish missions together. and hearts are opened. to know the loving God in all We go from house to house to his manifoldness and creativi- meet people and to talk with As an example I would like ty. Because he sends me wear- them about their lives, their be- to report the following encoun- ing my yellow T-shirt to people liefs, about God, the neighbour ter: A door is opened and a who show me that togetherness or the daughter’s cancer. young Muslim woman smiles is not so difficult when I take at us. After we introduced our- the plunge. This courage to approach selves she invites us to a cup people as a Christian has an ef- of tea. She explains that I am fect. Many are deeply touched not allowed to shake her hand by that. Often those we meet because she does not want to are astonished that there are be touched by unfamiliar men. young people who believe in But despite this cultural border God and like to belong to a we have a good conversation. church. People realize that we As she sees our picture of Mary are “a little different”. And pre- she gets her Coran and trans- cisely that being different is a lates all scriptures about Mary reason why a dialog can begin. for us.

* Schoenstatt Movement

134 What is happening in and around Munich? Lukas Lorenz* © Haaf

When I came to Munich I Or look at this meeting here: or “Mehr” House of Prayer asked God: „What’s your plan Those who organise Togeth- Conference*** in Augsburg, for this city?“ And God is re- er for Europe and Holy Spirit where Christians from all di- plying very concretely at the Night, HSN, realised the enor- rections come together. moment. How? Well, God is mous potential in them join- bringing all Christians together ing forces. And because the In my experience more and step by step. project is huge all Christians more people here in Munich were asked if they would like have a huge desire for God do- I can see that myself at to join. And the exciting thing ing something, for him inter- „Stay and Pray“ at Heilig Geist is: already in the preparatory vening and sending his Holy Kirche**, where thousands of meetings we realised, that this Spirit here with authority. And people stream into the church was and is right indeed. he does that – in a very clever – to pray. But not only there: way: first he looks for all the whenever you speak with en- It is the new, the young gen- puzzle pieces and then he puts tirely different Christians in eration, it is us who have this the whole puzzle together. Munich every time you notice unrest, this desire for more as Why? For us to rebuild the they are stirred by a desire. A a burning concern. We see that Kingdom of God together. holy unrest. This unrest draws in the many networks that al- people to prayer and unity – ready exist among the separate and it enables them to cross the churches. Or in the common denominational borders easily large events like Awakening just like this afternoon here. Europe in Nuremberg last year

* Staff of stay&pray in Munich ** “Holy Spirit Church“, a Catholic hall church in the city centre, one of the oldest church buildings in Munich *** organised annually by the Augsburg House of Prayer

135 Conversation among Reinhard Cardinal Marx*, Bishop Hein- rich Bedford-Strohm** and Father Heinrich Walter*** © Graf

Father Heinrich Walter: As Dr. Bedford-Strohm has tle provocatively: Could you a network of movements we been Bishop of the Evangeli- please repeat in a few sentenc- have also been on the move. cal Lutheran Church in Bavar- es to this wider public what you But in this dynamic process ia since 2011 and since end of entrusted to us, your hope and we have never walked our own 2014 Chairman of the Council your confidence regarding the way without those responsible of the Evangelical Church in unity of Christians? in the institutional church- Germany. es. We have always pursued Bishop Bedford-Strohm: good relationships to the bish- Bishop Bedford-Strohm, at Yes, in fact I don’t need to ops and are thus very grateful the congress during a press say it to these people stand- for the great support for our conference two days ago you ing here because the unity is event this afternoon, which surprised us with clear state- standing right in front of me. we have received from both ments regarding steps to unity. You could feel it all through Cardinal Marx and Bishop Of course, that was in a small this afternoon that here are so Bedford-Strohm. We welcome intimate circle, not in public. many people who carry Christ them warmly here. But I’d like to ask you a lit- in their hearts. And Christ can-

* Cardinal Dr. , Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference ** Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria and Chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany *** Father Heinrich Walter, Schoenstatt Movement, Steering Committee TfE

136 not but call us to unity. When Well, I believe we have said and since 2014 Chairman of the two of us, Cardinal Marx the most important thing re- the German Bishops Confer- and I speak of Christ we don’t peatedly and publicly over sev- ence. In preparing this event talk about a Catholic Christ or eral months and we say it again it was a fortunate divine prov- a Protestant Christ or an Or- here: for the first time in histo- idence for us that these two thodox Christ. It is about the ry we will not celebrate an an- central figures from both Prot- one Lord, who calls us to uni- niversary of the Reformation, a estant and Catholic Church in ty when we listen to him. And centennial anniversary, for en- Germany live here in Munich. when we follow this call we hancing our own reputation but Because of that it was a lot cannot but carry this unity of we will celebrate it in the one easier to have them both on the churches, this longing for spirit Martin Luther himself the stage here than it would’ve the unity of the churches in our was up to. Martin Luther want- been if we’d had to bring one hearts. This is what I have felt ed to point to Christ. That’s of them here from Berlin. today – all through this after- all he wanted. And we want noon here – and this is why this to celebrate a huge Christ fes- Cardinal Marx, you’ve en- afternoon for me is an after- tival and point to Christ anew couraged us very much from noon of hope. We can succeed and we can only do that togeth- the first conversations on in bringing the radical love to er. And I’m really happy that when we had just decided to Christ and the radical love to Cardinal Marx and I are of one hold this event here in Mu- the world – which results from mind in fact and agree totally nich. And we’ve received a lot the first – into the world togeth- at this point. We will make sure of support from you. Back then er. We can succeed in being the salt of the earth and the light of the world and in showing peo- ple how good and how much fun it is to be a Christian.

I’d like to intervene a little here; you have mentioned that already. I think the common wish of the people here is the same as the wish of the attend- ees of the Conference at Cir- cus Krone. But this desire, of course, also expects concrete steps. That is, the audience here © Haaf want to experience something of this unity, they want to see it happen. The younger gener- that – and I take the opportunity in our conversations you put ation, of course, has more time to announce that now – that we great emphasis on your hope ahead of them; but are specific will celebrate this anniversary for continuation also relating steps possible and which are of the Reformation together. to the whole youth work in this they? And the question also is: city. You have repeatedly ex- Can we contribute anything to I would like to turn to Car- pressed your wishes – which make it a little easier on the of- dinal Marx now. He has been came true today – that many ficial level? Archbishop of the diocese Mu- teenagers would participate nich and Freising since 2007 here and that it would go on

137 in the sense of sustainability Concerning next year you witness to Christ together, to of this event. Could you please said: my message here regard- God who showed and granted explain your vision, your ing the spirit of optimism has the world his mercy in Jesus, dream a little? something to do with Christ we can never politically abuse and with a joint look at Christ. this God and this faith. We can Cardinal Marx: Explain- It would be wonderful if you never misuse him for our own ing dreams is a little difficult as could tell us more about that purposes. Giving witness to they are varied and complex. as an encouragement for our Christ together means inviting But as we just heard in Lukas’ awakening here. everyone to discover God’s testimony, and I liked that very mercy. For me giving witness much, when he said that in this In my opinion it’s impor- to Christ together also means city there is more potential. tant – we’ve also shared that directing Jesus’ view to all peo- The Gospel is not yet exhaust- over the last few days – to give ple as we’ve just heard. God is ed so to speak. And we can witness to Christ together. It’s not exclusive for only a few only do that together. I’d like to important for the world. We people, he takes care of them underline what the Bishop just don’t think: What’s going to all, he wants to include every- one. And he pays for that with his son’s life. He gives away everything to reach everyone. And we do our share to make his view effective through our testimony. That means: Giv- ing witness to Christ together in this world. And we confess, that God sees every single indi- vidual as a present to the whole world. Believer or unbeliever, black or white, Christian or Muslim. Every single one is a present of God to the whole

© Haaf world. And we will do our share to make this present visi- ble. This is our mission. That’s said. My experience is: we are happen to Christianity, what’s what it means to give witness not separated in fact. The word going to happen to the church, to Christ together. “separation“ is way too strong what about us? Instead we ask from my point of view. We are ourselves: What’s going to Every human being is different but we have to walk a happen to the world when the unique and therefore human common path. But this city and Gospel is not shared? What’s life is holy and precious. From Germany and Bavaria and Eu- going to happen to the world, the very first moment of exist- rope expect us to give witness when Christ is not confessed? ence to the last moment. That’s to Christ together. The young This is what it’s all about, this why the house of creation is generation does that primarily is the challenge. And doing this not exclusive for only a few and they feel – as we have just together is really, really impor- people, but for everybody. That heard in the testimony – there tant, I think. And then we feel means for me: giving witness is more potential and we go the name of God also is mer- to Christ together in this world. ahead. cy, just as Pope Francis said And therefore it is – I believe for example. When we give – crucial that we get weaving,

138 you together with us, and that Christ that means that piety and were astonished and could hard- perhaps at the end of 2017 it’s the witness to the world, stand- ly believe that they would fi- visible publicly: we cannot ing up publicly for the weak nally be welcomed somewhere separate these Christians any- belong together inseparably in with love, empathy and solidar- more, they belong together. politics, too. ity. We saw these faces. I’ll nev- er forget them. And that’s why The last keyword in my notes A few hundred metres from my dream, maybe I can say our is the topic acceleration. You here we had lunch together in dream, is that the radical love just indicated you would like to September and we decided – to Christ leads us to a radical say something about this. To- Interjection from Cardinal standing up for the weak, for the gether we are convinced that Marx: We had lunch at my creation, for a world in which we are living in a season of ac- house! every human being can live in celeration regarding unity. The Bishop Bedford-Strohm: At dignity. Those two go together situation in Europe demands his house we had lunch. Most inseparably and all Christians that from us and challenges us. of the time we have lunch at his have to contribute their share so What is your point of view re- house. He has a great cuisine. that we give this witness. garding acceleration towards unity? Or if you would like to add anything to giving witness to Christ?

Bishop Bedford-Strohm: Well, I think first of all we have to perceive the signs of unity: how wonderful it is to celebrate a service together or to be to- gether just like here and now. The practiced ecumenism is so strong, sometimes we simply have to open our eyes and see and perceive what’s happen- © Haaf ing in this area. I would like to add something to what Cardi- nal Marx said previously and I Interjection from Cardinal Cardinal Marx: I fully fully agree to every sentence he Marx: But I don’t do the cook- agree, this is for sure. I come said, as it is most of the time. I ing myself. from a tradition, in fact both of would like to add that we ex- Bishop Bedford-Strohm: us come from a shared tradition perienced something last year Maybe that’s why it’s so good. of social work, of commitment and again today which is like a No. – Well, we decided sponta- – before we became bishops – small plant that has to continue neously to go to the main sta- and thus it is our concern that growing. Previously there were tion. The station is just a few prayer and action come togeth- different camps: there were the hundred metres from here. It er as well as mysticism and political, the progressive and was that weekend when 20 000 politics, piety and sensitivity on the other wing there were refugees were welcomed here for justice, for the dignity of the pious, the Evangelical. We in Germany; that famous week- every human being especially placed each other in separate end. And at the station we saw of the poor. This is what I’d like boxes. That season has to be the faces of the people, of the to highlight. The fundamental over. When we really follow children who arrived and who unity is: we all are the Body of

139 Christ together. What is to sep- arate us essentially? Those who are baptised form the Body of Christ together. This has to be the message we take with us.

Father Heinrich Walter: I think we all agree that those were really encouraging tes- timonies. And we understand how this unity also influences © Grill our unity and vice versa. How wonderful that the unity we live inspires our bishops and that we are inspired by the unity of the bishops to progress faster on this path. Thank you very much!

Cardinal Marx (to the au- dience): Thank you for your witness!

Bishop Bedford-Strohm: © Grill Thank you. “Speak to Christ, progress courageously”, said the Pope. I fully agree. © Brehm © Brehm

140 141 Conclusion with Message

The audience was inspired by the experience of unity and the powerful acts of reconcil- iation. Therefore the “Concluding Message of Munich”, the Message of Together for Europe from the 2 July 2016 in Munich is a real highlight. Thomas Römer of the Munich YMCA pre- sented the message together with other members of the Steering Committee in various lan- guages. Together for Europe itself stands for that message. The final image was on the stage with the Steering Committee, bishops, young people and 200 leaders of the communities gave an indisputable message of the unity of God’s people and their commitment to the togetherness of Europe.

Father Heinrich Walter*

Appearing behind me, you point, I would like to empha- see a number of people who size, that we strongly believe serve Together for Europe in that our Lord Jesus Christ is a very responsible way. While present among us in the midst they appear on stage, we reach of any crisis we are experi- the climax of our Rally. At this encing in Europe right now.

* Schoenstatt Movement, Steering Committee TfE

142 © Grill

But nevertheless, we keep to deal with the almost insol- Four of us will read our walking, while trusting that uble tension between identity message out aloud now. And any anxiety will be taken and and difference. then we invite everybody to transformed by His presence. read out the last part of the This week, we put our text. Let us take this as our Believing this, we keep message down on postcards, personal sign of commitment, working for our idea of Christi- but the common witness of when we all read and pray the anity that keeps its gates wide- our friendship is much more message together. So, now, we ly open. We are driven by a re- important than any words. ask Michelle Moran, Thomas spectful ethos that retains the Everybody who is standing up Römer, Maria Voce und Chris- dignity of every single human here now and every one of you tophe D’Aloisio to read the person. We strive for a Europe standing in front of the stage is message. without fences and walls, for a sign of our shared idea that a Europe with hands extend- the potential of reconciliation ed to each other. We work for and unity in Europe is not ex- a Europe of diversity, where hausted yet. Many steps still everybody feels at home. We need to be taken – and we are stand for a Europe that is able all willing to walk this path.

143 © Haaf

Together for Europe Message of 2 July in Munich

Encounter. Reconciliation. Future

There is no alternative to being together have caused suffering, violence and injus- “United in diversity”. This European hope tice, and have undermined the credibility is more than ever relevant. Europe must not of the Gospel. As Christians we want to live become a fortress and build new frontiers. together as people who are reconciled and There is no alternative to being together. Be- in full communion. ing together in reconciled diversity is possi- Our commitment ble. We live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and The Gospel – a source of hope bear witness to it with our words and deeds. Jesus Christ prayed for unity and gave his We are pursuing the path of reconcilia- life for it. This is stated in the Gospel, which tion and working to enable our communi- for almost 2000 years has played a key role ties, Churches, peoples and cultures to live in the culture of Europe. Jesus Christ teaches “unity in diversity”. us boundless love for all people. He shows us the path of mercy and reconciliation. We We meet people of different beliefs and can ask forgiveness and forgive one anoth- faiths with respect, seeking dialogue with er. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a powerful them. We are committed to building up hu- source from which we can draw hope for manity and peace in the world. the future. We have a vision for Europe being togeth- Europe – a culture of respect and esteem er in a way that is stronger than fear or self- The terrible experiences of two World Wars ishness. have taught us that peace is a precious gift We place our trust in the Holy Spirit who that we must preserve. Our future must be continually renews and gives life to the world. characterized by a culture of respect and esteem for others, even for strangers. Unity is possible – Overcoming divisions We ask all Christians, especially Church leaders, to overcome the divisions. These

144 Father Heinrich Walter

Dear Friends, these are a pact of mutual respect and day we forge that pact anew as strong words of commitment. love. For the first time it started a sign of hope and an operating Can we agree to them? Those 15 years ago here in Munich. principle for the future of the of you who can agree, please Over the last 15 years it has continent. raise your hand to the sky and succeeded as a foundation for keep your hand lifted for the life and collaboration. This al- Create the tie that binds all next two minutes. Yes, it’s liance is a strong tie that links of that together. Create the tie about what we’re going to do and binds everything together. of love. together right now. The inner It is the pulsing heart in the or- power of our togetherness is ganism of our togetherness. To- Prayer

Jesus, we say yes to your commandment. Jesus, we want to love each other as you have loved us. Jesus, we ask you: strengthen our love through the power of the Holy Spirit for this pact to bear much and remaining fruit. Amen.

Sharing the Experiences of the Day

The Outdoor Rally at Sta- the Outdoor Rally at Stachus. from Munich thereby showed chus ended with an invitation One highlight surely was the their support for the Outdoor to meet and greet. Hundreds procession of the teenagers Rally and also organized a of picnic “baskets” were dis- from Holy Spirit Night. Far joyful programme for the tributed that had been prepared more than 1000 young people evening. in advance. People approached passers-by everywhere to meet them, to share their experienc- es of the day and to invite them to the evening programme.

2000–3000 mainly young people attended the evening programme. It had been pre- pared by teenagers from the communities together with persons in charge of the “Holy Spirit Night” in Munich. Jesus Christ was witnessed together in public by youth-friendly music and speeches. For many it was a sign of hope that so many teenagers participated in © Graf

145 Impressions from the Outdoor Rally

Photos: © Grill 146 Photos © Haaf

147 Publishers‘ Epilogue

„Connecting instead of Sep- let go. Will we be able to put not be ends in ourselves“. arating“. That was the headline the message of those days into He challenges us: “When- of the report on sueddeutsche.de practice in and through our ever you seize the culture about the Outdoor Rally of communities? shaping powers which lay Together for Europe at Sta- within your movements, chus on 2 July 2016. And it At Stachus we as Christians you will become a living expresses very well the hope in Europe said decisively yes to testimony that there is a of the many participants of the Europe. It was a twofold Yes: path that leads us all out of Together for Europe Congress the current crisis onwards and Outdoor Rally in Munich. • We pass on to Europe the into a better future.” Her- In these days people from var- Yes that God spoke to all bert Lauenroth spoke about ious Christian movements and mankind through the Gos- the era of fear that is shap- communities from the whole pel. Thus our commitment ing Europe at the moment. of Europe had intense encoun- in the message of 2 July “This fear of loss of self and ters. Right before the meeting 2016 starts with the words: the world can make room in Munich the British had de- “We live the Gospel of Jesus for new experiences at the cided to leave the EU. “Brexit” Christ and bear witness to it same time.” He asked us to determined many discussions with our words and deeds.” live a “culture of trust” and and also the public perception also to grow into a “worldly of Together for Europe. • We say yes to Europe as trust in God“. it is. The presentations on Together for Europe virtu- Friday morning at the Con- In Munich we experienced a ally became a prophetic sign. gress showed us our place very special time of far-reach- In those days in Munich the in Europe as Christian com- ing significance. three words of our name said munities and movements. it all: Together for Europe. A Prof. Michael Hochschild The topic reconciliation responsibility was placed into reminded us that we „as was elementary and really our hands that we should not spiritual movements can- opened the door for the future.

148 © Grill

Embedded in the atmosphere and for togetherness in Europe: ity and thus we move on cou- of the Congress of the Chris- By contributing to an open at- rageously and with hope: To- tian communities and move- mosphere in our country in and gether for Europe! ments signs of unity and steps together with our communities towards reconciliation (Car- we resist the egotisms and de- We remain together on this dinal Koch, Bishop July and mons of our time. path and thank all those who Metropolitan Serafim) were contributed to the success of possible for which we had been A special sign of hope and the days in Munich. hoping and praying for a long a highlight for many was the time. For many of us the warm demonstration procession of togetherness of Cardinal Marx the young people of Holy Spir- and Bishop Bedford-Strohm it Night. They also attended the was a highlight that generates Outdoor Rally and organised hope. the evening with a joyful and deep programme. We experienced the power of reconciliation among us and Encounter. Reconciliation. committed ourselves to contin- Future. The headline for those ue on this path of reconcilia- days in Munich became a real- tion. Being and becoming mes- sengers of reconciliation is the job of the Christians according to the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians.

In Munich we received a key. We want to use this key for unity and reconciliation

149 © Graf © Grill

150 The message of Munich in the original layout

Message on 2nd July 2016 TOGETHER in Munich FOR EUROPE ENCOUNTER. RECONCILIATION. FUTURE

ENCOUNTER. RECONCILIATION. FUTURE.

The Gospel – a source of hope There is no alternative to being together Jesus Christ prayed for unity and gave his life “United in diversity”. This European hope is for it. This is stated in the Gospel, which for more than ever relevant. Europe must not almost 2,000 years has played a key role in become a fortress and build new frontiers. the culture of Europe. Jesus Christ teaches us There is no alternative to being together. boundless love for all people. He shows us Being together in reconciled diversity is pos- the path of mercy and reconciliation. We can sible. ask forgiveness and forgive one another. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a powerful source from which we can draw hope for the future.

Our commitment Europe – a culture of respect and esteem We live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bear The terrible experiences of two World Wars witness to it with our words and deeds. have taught us that peace is a precious gift We are pursuing the path of reconciliation that we must preserve. Our future must be and working to enable our communities, characterised by a culture of respect and Churches, peoples and cultures to live esteem for others, even for strangers. “unity in diversity”. We meet people of different beliefs and Unity is possible – Overcoming divisions faiths with respect, seeking dialogue with We ask all Christians, especially Church them. leaders, to overcome the divisions. We are committed to building up humanity These have caused suffering, violence and peace in the world. and injustice, and have undermined the We have a vision for Europe being together credibility of the Gospel. As Christians we in a way that is stronger than fear or want to live together as people who are selfishness. reconciled and in full communion. We place our trust in the Holy Spirit

www.together4europe.org

151 We cannot separate these Christians anymore,

they belong together.

Reinhard Cardinal Marx

www.together4europe.org