by Marjana e Pavel Snoj | 16 Dec 2025 | Experiences, reflections and interviews, Local Events, News
Unprecedented national unity
Preparations for the vote generated a unity never before seen in the 35-year history of independent Slovenia. The referendum campaign succeeded in transcending traditional political divisions between left and right, focusing instead on respect, value and the culture of life. For the first time, all Christian denominations (Catholics, Evangelicals, Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox), all major Slovenian movements and communities, as well as Muslims, came together to launch a joint message against the law. The fight was mainly promoted by lay people, with the support of doctors, lawyers, psychologists and a large number of young people.
The campaign and the debate
The initiative began in January 2024 with a visit from Alex Schadenberg, a Canadian pioneer in anti-euthanasia activism, who highlighted the pitfalls of the legislation. The campaign was widespread, with over 100 meetings, conferences and panel discussions across the country, often with three or four significant events per day. Although 85% of the mainstream media was controlled by parties in favour of the law, activists made extensive use of social networks and Catholic radio (which provided daily services against euthanasia) to disseminate recorded testimonies from patients, disabled people, doctors and nurses. In addition, all major religious communities and medical organisations in Slovenia issued joint statements against euthanasia, strengthening the “NO” front.
The Power of Faith and Prayer
A crucial element of the campaign was a strong spiritual support. Religious communities, with the support of Slovenian bishops, organised a wide variety of activities: prayers in all parishes, novenas and recitation of the Rosary (even at 5 a.m. on the radio), days of fasting and prayer, including members of the Muslim community. Solidarity in prayer also came from Croatia, Bosnia and other Eastern European countries. Participation exceeded the 20% quorum of those eligible to vote. The success of the referendum cemented Christian unity and demonstrated that the battle for the value of life is a cause that can unite an entire nation. One participant’s impression: ‘The culture of life has won here.’
And is not the YES to life – ‘we are committed to defending its inviolable dignity in all its stages, from conception to natural death’ – the first of the seven YESes, to which our ecumenical network is committed?
Marjana and Pavel Snoj (TfE Slovenia)
by Maria Wienken e Alberto Lo Presti | 15 Dec 2025 | Experiences, reflections and interviews, News
Of different denominations, but with a common basis
Together for Europe participated in the 28th European Prayer Breakfast, an annual event held in Brussels, an initiative created to bring together Christians from various Churches and denominations who are involved in various roles (parliamentarians, experts, supporters) related to the institutions of the European Union. It was an opportunity to forge new friendships, consolidate old ones and learn about the rich world of Christians who are working to promote peace and harmony among the peoples of Europe. In line with the aims of Together for Europe, MEP Mavridis of Cyprus, a member of the International Assembly on Orthodoxy (I.A.O.), introduced the breakfast session with the following words: ‘Even though we are from different denominations, Jesus is the common base that unites us.’
Jeff Fountain (Netherlands), Alberto Lo Presti (Italy) and Maria Wienken (Germany), participating on behalf of Together for Europe, had some wonderful and fruitful meetings with some special friends: Eduard Heger, former Prime Minister of Slovakia, who encouraged us to continue to support MEPs in their commitment to Christian politics; Miriam Lexmann, who renewed her willingness to collaborate in view of an upcoming meeting in May at the European Parliament; and others who were eager to learn about the experience of Together for Europe.
Beyond the numbers
Prior to this event, an interesting seminar organised by the Secretariat of Art.17, responsible for ‘Dialogue between religions and non-confessional visions’, entitled ‘Beyond the numbers’ took place. The aim was to focus on the European balance sheet in terms of encouraging dialogue and relations between the religious and philosophical conceptions that nourish the European spirit. The parliamentary chamber in which the event took place appeared as a colourful mosaic of religions, philosophical traditions, spiritual inspirations and cultural institutions. Yet there was no air of confusion. Commitment to Europe was the common denominator, confirming that this is the era of networking, of moving forward together, seeking to increase dialogue and encounters between those who care about the destiny of the Old Continent and, with it, the destiny of humanity.
The contribution of Together for Europe
In this regard, the contribution of Together for Europe was recognised as indispensable by Antonella Sberna, Italian MEP and Vice-President of Article 17 EU, who fondly recalled the event on 15 May and offered her support for a future event in May 2026. There were also cordial greetings with the President of COMECE, Monsignor Crociata, and the Secretary, Reverend Barroso, as well as with the two representatives of the KEK. German MEP Monika Hohlmeier expressed interest in learning more about our network, and we agreed to meet in Germany.
In conclusion, we were able to participate in two events held at the European Parliament: one on multilateralism, entitled ‘The role of Europe in UN reform,’ with speakers such as Nicola Zingaretti and Lucia d’Annunziata, and another on ‘The role of faith in building social cohesion,’ promoted by Prof. Mc. Donagh of the Centre for Religions, Human Values and International Relations. At the latter event, the Together for Europe network was also briefly presented, arousing appreciation and interest.
Maria Wienken, Alberto Lo Presti
by Beatriz Lauenroth | 11 Dec 2025 | Experiences, reflections and interviews, News
Everyday life in the face of war
I am in Ukraine for the third time in a year. I see a country at its limit after almost four years of war. The resilience of the people is incredible, but the tension is palpable everywhere. Nerves are frayed, and this is more than understandable.
Winter without electricity, water, and heating, alarms and continuous bombings at every hour of the day and night: all of this is now an integral part of daily life. It is a life of permanent insecurity, a life at the mercy of threats.
A minute of silence and respect
Despite the chaos, there are moments of deep solidarity and reflection that keep the country united. Every morning at nine o’clock, a song of national resistance echoes through the streets of Ukraine. Public life comes to a standstill for a minute. The supermarket cashier stops scanning items, the man at the café sets his coffee cup down on the table, and the librarian at the book counter pauses. This minute is dedicated to the memory and respect of fallen soldiers and all those who are holding the line on the front. It is a moving daily ceremony that draws attention to the victims of the war.
Where prayers save lives
Being close to death profoundly changes one’s perspective on life and faith. A young man who was fighting on the front told me, ‘In the face of death, there are no atheists. Even men who are not believers, in that moment, plead: “Say a prayer for me too, because I don’t know how to pray.”‘ Another soldier recounted an ambush in which his unit fell: ‘We were under heavy enemy fire. Miraculously, the bullet lodged in my bulletproof vest. Many people all over the world are praying for us, and I know for certain that one of those prayers saved my life.’
Beatriz Lauenroth, press officer of Together for Europe
by Diego Goller | 26 Nov 2025 | News
The title of this event, ‘Called to the Future,’ reflected God’s call to open ourselves to the voice of the Spirit within us and to listen to our sisters and brothers. This call resonated strongly with what is happening around us. In particular, faced with our fragmented, confused and divided Europe, faced with its growing insignificance in the global geopolitical landscape, there emerged an urgent call to show a path of reconciliation made possible by the power of communion.
It was primarily a working meeting, based on meditations and prayers (downloadable at the bottom of the page), presentations, lively exchanges in small groups – in the spirit of listening – and plenary sessions. The aim was to strengthen fraternal communion and to understand the voice of the Spirit in view of new steps for the future. The Covenant of Mutual Love (according to Jn 13:34) could not be missing, renewed as every year in a solemn manner, and all the more relevant in a phase of generational change in which our ecumenical network finds itself. In line with this change, Fr. Lothar Penners (Schönstatt) and Gerhard Pross (YMCA) presented a book that collects the fundamental texts and various testimonies on the history of TfE: ‘Highlights of Unity – Experiences from 25 Years of Together for Europe,’ which will be published shortly.
In order to give visibility to this journey and highlight a sign of hope for the citizens of Europe, the project of a large European meeting has been considered. In a wide-ranging exchange, ideas and proposals emerged, which will now be examined and finalised in the coming months by the Steering Committee. A central event is envisaged in conjunction with similar initiatives in various European cities, tentatively scheduled for spring 2028. This would be significant, coming 30 years after John Paul II’s first meeting with the new Catholic Movements and Communities. That meeting marked the beginning of a journey of communion between them, which the movements of the Reformation churches were the first to join, followed by other Churches.
The presence of influential representatives from various movements – Nuria Alonso (CHARIS), Fadi Krikor (Treffen von Verantwortlichen), Reinhardt Schink (Evangelische Allianz Deutschland), Valeria Martano (Comunità Sant’Egidio), Margaret Karram and Jesus Moran (Focolare Movement) and others – strengthened communion and confirmed the convergence of intentions.
There was widespread anticipation for young adults to play a more prominent role. A small group representing Romania, Slovakia and Italy immediately gathered in Castel Gandolfo to develop initial ideas for a second meeting in 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Edited by Diego Goller
Hope in difficult times – Cezara Perian, 6 November 2025>>
Challenges – Sr. M. Lioba Ruprecht, 7 November 2025>>
Prayer-Meditation by Margaret Karram, 8 November 2025 >>
Current update TfE, 8 November 2025 >>
by Together for Europe | 28 Oct 2025 | Experiences, reflections and interviews, News
Twenty-five years ago, something happened that many thought impossible: Christians from different denominations, movements and communities began to listen together to God’s call to unity. These first meetings gave rise to the ecumenical network Together for Europe, which today brings together numerous and varied movements and communities across the continent.
The book “Highlights of Unity” (Sternstunden der Einheit) by Gerhard Proß and Lothar Penners traces this history of reconciliation and spiritual growth, offering numerous personal testimonies of the journey taken together.
This is not simply a chronicle, but an invitation to recognise how faith can transcend boundaries and build bridges, not only between Churches, but also within society.
The volume brings together experiences, reflections and speeches that document 25 years of shared life and invites us, in a time of division, to cultivate a “culture of togetherness”, based on mutual love and the power of the Gospel.
The book will be published in November 2025, initially only in German.
For further information and details (in German), see the page on the Together for Europe website in Germany: click here>>
See also the presentation of the book on the Schoenstatt Movement website: click here>>
by Maria Wienken | 4 Sep 2025 | Local Events, News
We have long felt that our ecumenical network needs more continuous financial support. We realise that we must find new ways to ensure the future of our project.
‘Where the Holy Spirit is, there the Eternal Father opens His hands,’ said Helmut Niklas, one of the co-founders of Together for Europe. In recent years, we have had the opportunity to experience this many times.
We are convinced that even the smallest bricks are needed to build something great. Or, as Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: A small act done with great love can change the world.
In this spirit, we joined some friends at a village festival in Unterhaching (Munich), which included a flea market. The financial result: 115 euros.
But there’s more… the side effect: we talked about our network, about how to live for a united Europe where brotherhood and peace reign, a need and a necessity that is more relevant than ever.
Although the initiative was small in scale, it was important for us to get involved and show that we are on a shared journey, where even simple acts can make a difference.
Maria Wienken
