by TogetherforEurope | Jul 28, 2016 | 2016 Munich, News
…the Together for Europe Munich experience (30.6 – 2.7.2016) had it all: ENCOUNTER with a great variety of people, single-minded in their determination to face up together to the FUTURE, as well as testimonials of RECONCILIATION that showed how a journey together is possible. In the context of recent events in Munich and elsewhere, the message of Together for Europe is now more timely and urgent than ever.
Here are some impressions from participants (in the original language):
- München zeigte ein tiefes echtes Gesicht eines Europa, das sich auf Gott und die Welt öffnet. Es wurde verständlich und erfahrbar: Miteinander geht es, Miteinander aller Charismen und Gaben. Der Glaube, die Liebe und die Offenheit führen zur Entängstigung…
- Magnifique rassemblement avec le souffle des origines et qui ouvre un nouvel avenir pour Ensemble pour l’Europe. Une lumière et une espérance dans une Europe qui en a bien besoin! Remarquable organisation de nos amis allemands.
- I am British and have always had a very strong sense of being European, and part of a positive process of unification. It was a challenge coming to Munich a week after Brexit, knowing that everyone would ask my opinion about it. I was initially very sad, but I know that being European and being Christian is a bigger idea than any particular political process or institution, and that unity will go ahead anyway. The positive attitude and support of a very impressive list of Christian leaders was very important and can only further this process. The young people present were a great witness to things already happening , and a hope for a better future.
- Ho colto la profondità, il desiderio di continuare sempre più insieme per una nuova Europa nel cammino della pace costruita sui valori comuni del dialogo e dell’amore. Non abbiamo paura, andiamo avanti, nella certezza che Dio Amore ci precede sempre, a noi tutti gli sforzi, a Lui la gloria del Suo Amore passato dalle nostre azioni positive.
- Das Podium „Zukunft der Gesellschaft – Auftrag und Verantwortung der jungen Generation“ erfüllte aber voll und ganz meine Erwartungen: Junge Leute, die von ihrem Glauben und ihrer Jugendarbeit innerhalb ihrer Gemeinschaft berichteten. Mir gefiel es sehr gut, mich endlich mit anderen Jugendlichen, die sowohl ähnliche als auch komplett verschiedene Ansichten als ich hatten, auszutauschen und zu diskutieren.
- Ho capito che anche i piccoli come me possono fare qualcosa per l’Europa, nella stessa strada dei grandi, per iniziare questa unione spirituale dell’Europa, gli uni per gli altri.
- Hi everyone, I did watch this wonderful event which was a wonderful way to involve people like me around the world in Unity with all ‘People of Good Will’. God’s choicest blessings on everyone who organised this and those who took part. We are meant to be together and not live selfish lives in isolation from our neighbour.
- Il fatto che ci siamo trovati in un circo mi suggerisce che è importante mettersi in gioco come fanno i protagonisti del circo, giocarsi la vita per essere di aiuto agli altri.
- J’ai beaucoup apprécié ce moment à Munich. Maintenant avec toute l’équipe de Lyon nous nous engageons à diffuser ce que nous avons vécu. Bien avec chacun.
- Insgesamt bin ich sehr dankbar für die Erfahrung der Veranstaltung in München und trage die Erlebnisse und Begegnungen noch lebendig in mir. Vor allem verbinde ich mich im Gebet Tag für Tag weiterhin mit allen, die dort waren, und habe die Hoffnung, dass das Wunder der Einheit der Kirchen eines Tages von Gott geschenkt wird. (…) Für alles, was bei der Kundgebung am Stachus auf der Bühne geboten wurde, kann ich nur meine Anerkennung aussprechen.
- Anche l’aprire e chiudere l’ombrello (…) non ha distolto da un clima di unità, di gioia, di profondità che ho avvertito. Mi è sembrata la manifestazione della speranza.
by TogetherforEurope | Jul 6, 2016 | 2016 Munich, News
ENCOUNTER. RECONCILIATION. FUTURE.
This is the title of the fourth International Event of Together for Europe which took place in Munich, Bavaria.
The journey began with a Congress from 30th June to 1st July, 2016, for members of the over 300 Movements and Communities which are involved – two hundred of these were represented at the Congress which was held in the Circus Krone Building. There were plenary sessions in the morning and in the afternoon, 17 Forums and 19 Round Tables on various topics related to current critical situations such as refugees and their integration, ecumenism, the environment, dialogue with Islam, the economic crisis and the search for the common good, the difficult relationship between European countries … 1,700 participants from 32 countries of Europe and beyond.
In the afternoon of 2nd July in the popular “Karlsplatz (Stachus)” square, over 5,000 people including many young people gathered for a Outdoor Rally. The testimonies of reconciliation during the journey of 15 years as part of Together for Europe were powerful; the brotherly embrace between leading representatives of the Catholic, Lutheran and Orthodox Churches was poignant and full of hope. “Unity is possible” – this is what the audience in the square and people in various parts of the world who, in over 7000 listening points, were connected with live-streaming, were able to see and experience.
The video messages of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I were compelling and visionary.
The stage was vibrant with the bands and choirs of young people of different nationalities.
The centre piece of the stage was a door which “opened up to the future” as a symbol of the journey so far and the future towards which we wish to travel, to reach a full sharing of the values that are rooted in the Gospel.
Click here to see the video of the Outdoor Rally TfE Munich July 2, 2016 (EN)
Click here for more videos about the event (playlist) in several languages
by the International Secretariat of Together for Europe
by TogetherforEurope | Jul 2, 2016 | 2016 Munich, News
“Yes to bridges of mercy. Yes to discovering others and their rich heritage. Yes to understanding that we are truly “one thing only”, that there is a unity and a fraternity to be worked for and that we must find the ways to “break down” the many “dividing walls” “. These were the words of Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Community, red by Marco Impagliazzo (president), expressing the spirit and the commitment of the 5000 participants, present in Karlsplatz (Stachus) in Munich, on july 2, for the final Outdoor Rally of Together for Europe 2016.
Unity is possible; reconciliation opens up the future; a culture of relationship and mercy; mission and future; were the four main guidelines of the afternoon. Maria Voce, president of the Focolare Movement invited everyone to “sign” a solemn commitment for unity: “We commit ourselves here, today, to be catalysts of this change, catalysts for a new vision for Europe, so as to speed up the journey towards unity by starting a profound dialogue with and for all the men and women on earth”.
Among the messages of greetings, Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church Bartolomew I send their support.
Testimonies of reconciliation between churches and communities followed: “Reconciliation opens to the future”, stated Gerhard Pross from the Streering Committee of Together for Europe: “Although we are and will be different, we want to live in unity, to be enriched by our diversities and spread it to our cities and allover Europe.”
Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Rome) explained that a universal network of friendship exists from 15 years, and Bishop Frank Otfried July, vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation: “There are many experiences that we are living together as churches: we work for refugees, we pray together; we want Christ to be the center of Europe”.
The Metropolitan of the Orthodox Romanian Church of Germany, Central and Northern Europe Seraphim Joanta (Nuremberg) shared joys and sorrows of his mission: “We suffer for the fundamentalist forces that threaten to destroy the efforts of unity among Christians. Moreover young people are missing in our churches. But we trust in Christ and in this network of brothers”. Then a poignant and prophetic moment followed: several representatives of Christian Churches and movements have pronounced the “Our Father”: “It is a prophetic sign of reconciliation and forgiveness” – explained Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, Secretary General of the WCC – a sign that we don’t want to forget ever again”.
The voice of youth was powerful and full of hope: “I dream a Europe more friendly and less individualistic, said Mary of Czech Republic -“Europe begins with me, because I am Europe”.
“Together” is another keyword of Together for Europe: “In 2017, there will be the Jubilee of the Reformation – told the Evangelical Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, president of the Lutheran Confederation in Germany – and we want to live it together: Evangelical and Catholics”.
And Card. Reinhard Marx of Munich, president of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference: “We have to recognize the signs of unity we are already living: we are not separated, we want to witness Christ together.”
The final message, read by the leaders of Christian Churches and communities expressed the fruits of the common path and the next steps to be taken: “Europe must not become a fortress and build new frontiers. There is no alternative to being together. We ask all Christians (…) to overcome the divisions. Our commitment: we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bear witness to it with our words and deeds. We are committed to building up humanity and peace in the world.”
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München (c) MfE, Foto: Graf
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München (c) MfE, Foto: Graf
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München. Videobotschaft von Papst Franziskus (c) MfE, Foto: Brehm
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München. Videobotschaft von Patriarch Bartholomäus (c) MfE, Foto: Brehm
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München (c) MfE, Foto: Graf
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München. Kinder mit Fahnen aller europäischen Länder kommen durch das Tor. (c) MfE, Foto: Graf
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München. Ein junges, fröhliches Europa auf der Bühne. (c) MfE, Foto: Grill
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München (c) MfE, Foto: Grill
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München. Kardinal Reinhard Marx und Landesbischof Frank Otfried July (c) MfE, Foto: Graf
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München. Ein Schlüssel der zur Verpflichtung wird. (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
2. Juli 2016: Kundgebung von “Miteinander für Europa” auf dem Stachus in München. Alle Teilnehmer erhalten in einer symbolischen Geste einen Schlüssel für das Tor der Versöhnung und Einheit. (c) MfE, Foto: Grill
by Koni Brand | Jul 1, 2016 | 2016 Munich, News
“Europe is going through the dark night of its own principles, the dark night of its dreams. (…) We believe Together for Europe is something which can inspire individuals or associations in their commitment to a free, reconciled, democratic, supportive and fraternal Europe”. Steffen Kern of the Evangelical Confederation of Wuerttemberg continues the reflection on Europe and hope: “Why should we continue to hope as Christians?”. In Stuttgart we have opened the “House of Hope” that welcomes women in trouble and lonely people. We want to witness our commitment that God never abandons anyone”. Thomas Romer (YMCA, Munich) explains that the strength of our continent is Christ and his Gospel: “Jesus is there even in the storms: we need to have faith. He climbed onto the boat to save us”.
This afternoon the Congress opened its doors to dialogue, confrontation and projects. The round table on “Christians and Muslims in dialogue” focused on the need to get to know each other, meet and work together on social and cultural challenges. Pasquale Ferrara, the new Italian Ambassador in Algiers, stressed that dialogue does not happen among cultures or religions, but among people: “We need to be more concrete, to stick to reality”.
Imam Baztami invited everybody to go out of our confort zones and meet different people. Many ideas and projects emerged from the debate among th philosopher of religions Beate Beckmann-Zoeller, dr. Thomas French, the Evangelical pastor Amberg and the french Bishop Michel Dubost. “The remedy to the division between Christians and Muslims is “otherness”, which means to consider the other as a brother, a sister”, said Gérard Testard of Efesia (France).
At the round table “Towards sustainability in Europe” card. Turkson, the environmental engineer Daniel Renzi, Hans-Hermann Böhm, and other experts invited to follow Pope Francis’ invitation to have a serious debate on climate change and ecological issues. Card. Turks concluded that ”sciences and religions should talk together, religions should talk together, and all of them should give their contribute to society together!”.
“Martyrdom, a painful witness of Christians today” is the title of another round table. Michael Brand, member of the Bundestag was present. Concerning the present european situation, he recalled a phrase from St. Boniface: “We do not want to be like dumb dogs”. “Personally I think that, if the terrorist threat comes from abroad – he said – inside our borders we are attacked by an aggressive secularism. I do not fear Islamization of Europe,rather the decrease of Christian faith”.
Mit Lobpreis in den neuen Tag. (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
“Europa heute – ein Ruf zum Glauben” – Thomas Römer, CVJM München (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
“Europa heute – mit Hoffnung leben” – Steffen Kern, Evangelischer Gemeinschaftsverband, Walddorfhäslach (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
“Europa heute: Das neue Gebot der Liebe schafft eine Kultur des Miteinanders” – Maria Emmaus Voce, Präsidentin der Fokolarbewegung, Rocca di Papa (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
Herbert Lauenroth, Fokolar-Bewegung, Ottmaring: Europa im Zeitalter der Angst (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
Eine musikalische Unterbrechung: Timo Wagner, Saxofon und Benedikt Drockur, Klavier (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
MfE 2016 in München: Eröffnung des zweiten Kongresstages im Circus-Krone-Bau. (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
Ein Zwischenruf: Umbruchzeiten; das Ende des Machbaren und die Bedeutung der Bewegung – Ein Beitrag aus soziologischer Sicht – Prof. Dr. Michael Hochschild, Paris
Glaube im öffentlchen Raum / La foi dans l’espace public – Gerard Testard, Efesia, Paris (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
Zeichen der Zeit lesen – Blick in die Herausforderungen unserer Zeit – Prof. Marco Impagliazzo, Präsident der Gemeinschaft Sant‘ Egidio, Rom (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
Sr. Dr. Nicole Grochowina, Communität Christusbruderschaft Selbitz, gibt Einblicke in Ergebnisse der Foren, die am ersten Kongressnachmittag strattgefunden haben. (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
Die Referenten und Verantwortlichen der Podiumsveranstaltungen am Nachmittag des zweiten Kongresstages sind auf der Bühne versammelt. Dr. Matthias Leineweber und Werner Hübner präsentieren das Podiumsprogramm. (c) MfE, Foto: Haaf
