The two-day pre-“Together for Europe” congress came to an end yesterday. Gathered in the "Lieder-Halle" in Stuttgart were about 2000 directors of the Christian movement and communities including - Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran, Evangelical - from all over Europe.

Since the opening of the congress entitled “Discover and Share Our Riches Together”, the event was marked by a definite spiritual atmosphere. The event was meant to show the intention, vision and goal of the 8th May "Together for Europe" Conference.
Anna-Maria von der Wiesche (Christusbruderschaft Selbitz, a Lutheran Community) and Gerhard Proß (YMCA Esslingen, coordinator of the congress) were the moderators of the opening.

The congress started with a warm greeting to all the participants from countries arriving in Germany. The participants witnessed a beautiful scene symbolising the fruits of the spirit for the participating communities. Two hundred white and yellow balloons were tossed around in the hall and then attached to a big tree on the stage.

A number of Christian leaders then addressed the occasion. Friedrich Aschoff (Charismatic Renewal), Father Michael Marmann (Schoenstatt), Francis Ruppert Cursillo), and Helmut Nicklas (YMCA Munich), recalled how this Congress came into being.

The starting point of this Congress and the “Together for Europe” event was the “Meeting of Responsible Persons” initiated by Lutheran and Evangelical Communities. Through the meeting with the representatives of the Catholic Communities in 1999 and 2000, 'Christian leaders in Europe' has developed the insight that the world will return to faith when the Churches again become one.

During Pentecost 1998 in Rome, Pope John Paul II called the Ecclesial Movements and New Communities to work together for the new evangelisation of the world. The Pope also said that the charismatic dimension of the Church, the Movements, and the hierarchical dimension, would be equally essential to the Church.

Both processes aimed at a mature and fruitful "together", not just a peaceful co-existence. And the first fruit was seen in December 2001, "Together - how else?" meeting in Munich. From then, the "Covenant of Love" of the Movements was sealed, finally leading to the Congress and the 8th May “Together for Europe” event nowadays.

Even though all the things were prepared and well organised by human hands, nothing can happen without adding in “alpha”. Helmut Nicklas reminded the leaders about the amazing work of the Holy Spirit that has brought the renewal of communities and gathered all of them together as people of God.

Andrea Adams-Frey, and Albert Frey, together with their band, led the audience to sing spiritual songs. Through praising and praying together, all hearts were united in expressing their love towards God and each other.

Gerhard Proß, spoke about the intention and vision of this conference. He mentioned five key elements: to give praise and glory to the Lord; to share and enrich in joy in the talents of the others; listening to the call of God, his Holy Scripture; to understand devotion and human dignity as related to each other; to be sent into the world and for the world.

Thomas Römer (YMCA Monaco) delivered a sermon about the Good Shepherd who gives to his sheep. The opening session was closed when Chiaria Lubich, foundress and President of the Focolar Movement, went up on the stage. She said, “The Movements today are the great spiritual resources and fountain of hope for the churches and for all humanity.” She considered this is the current of grace and life that God has created for the churches to renew in the Holy Spirit from within. She believed that despite the terrorism and violence that prevail in the world, the call for deeper communion and community will dominate.

The process of getting together should also not be restricted to the movements of the catholic church - it is the time to reach out to the orders and congregations on the one hand, to the movements in the Protestant, Lutheran, Orthodox, and Anglican Church... In the end, it means to make the "City of God" on earth more alike to the Celestial City, the new Jerusalem.

“Together for Europe” Conference begins on 8th May. Over 10,000 participants from all denominations are expected to gather at the Hanns Martin Schleyer Sports Palace, Stuttgart from 10a.m. to 5:30p.m. Broadcasting and programme timetable is available on the website: http://www.miteinander-wie-sonst.de.