On 16 and 17 April 2026 in Spital am Pyhrn (Austria), Together for Europe was invited to help shape the agenda for the ‘Round Table’. Even during the first round of discussions, in which we shared with one another the spiritual focal points and talents present in our communities, we saw the richness they contain and how this becomes a source of fruitfulness for society.

When Fr Heinrich Walter of the Schönstatt Movement spoke about his experience with Together for Europe, of which he has been a member since the very beginning, there was a palpable sense of joy among the 60 or so participants.

Following a brief but very intense evening of prayer, the celebrations marking Johannes Fichtenbauer’s 70th birthday highlighted his varied, steadfast and fruitful work for Christian unity.

With the Easter message “Peace be with you” from Bishop Hermann Glettler of Innsbruck, the diocesan bishop responsible for the “Round Table” at the Austrian Bishops’ Conference, we began the second day in high spirits.

A number of examples of the activities carried out by Together for Europe in Austria (Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol, Vienna) and Slovakia contributed to a fruitful exchange of experiences.

Herbert Lauenroth, of the Focolare Movement, spoke about the key aspects of unity among Christian communities, including: God gathers his people together. He has torn down the walls. We are on a journey towards freedom and communion. This sometimes requires taking the risk of leaping like a trapeze artist, trusting that there is someone ready to catch me. And furthermore: I should not stop at the image I have formed of the other.

The young adults’ testimonies highlighted just how much they value freedom and diversity in Europe, and how aware they are that we must do something about this

It was interesting to note the reference to www.echtsein.live, which provides a platform in German for dialogue between Christians and people who hold different worldviews.

Finally, it was a pleasure to welcome Lukas Mandl, Member of the European Parliament, who was receptive to the feedback during the closing round-table discussion and emphasised that the EU’s motto is also ‘Unity in diversity’.

The “Round Table” also received a message of greeting from the Steering Committee of Together for Europe, which was meeting in Vienna at almost the same time.

“It was a truly wonderful experience to witness this diversity and yet this sense of solidarity” – this was one of the comments made during the round-table discussion.

Photo: A. Lilek / C.-M. Zeller