by Beatriz Lauenroth | 24 Apr 2026 | Experiences, reflections and interviews, News
From 16 to 18 April 2026, the annual retreat of the Steering Committee was held at the Schoenstatt Centre on the Kahlenberg in Vienna. Twenty-six representatives from eight Christian movements spent several days listening and discerning, during a period marking a historic turning point in the life of the international coordination.
A generational change in the spirit of unity
The highlight of the meeting was the handover by some of the Committee’s long-standing members, who have dedicated themselves to supporting TfE’s journey for decades. Their moving farewell paved the way for a new chapter, built on a spirit of gratitude and trust.
Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, highlighted the value of this service; in a letter, she expressed her deep gratitude to the outgoing members for their contribution to shaping the network’s identity and journey.
The leadership of the network is being handed over to a new moderation group made up of three members, drawn from different Churches and movements. This is a tangible sign of continuity and openness to new horizons. In a European context marked by uncertainty, IpE reaffirms its mission: to bear witness that unity in diversity is a prophetic response to the challenges of our time.
Agenda and next steps
During the meeting, a number of future priorities were outlined, with particular emphasis on the role of the National Committees and the involvement of young people. Events already scheduled include:
11–13 May 2026 – To mark Europe Day, around 120 young people will present a “Pact between Generations” to the European Parliament, based on their experiences within TfE.
Annual meeting of the “Friends of Together for Europe” in Würzburg (Germany).
This journey therefore continues, in the knowledge that walking together, whilst making the most of each other’s gifts, remains the way to build a Europe that is more united, more supportive and open to the future.
Beatriz Lauenroth
Read also the release dated 18 April 2026 >>
Photo: K. Oberegelsbacher / L. Taite
by Together for Europe | 23 Apr 2026 | 2026 Europe Day, Local Events, News
Praying day by day, towards 9 May
Together for Europe arose from the coming together of Christian communities and movements. Despite their differences and those of their Churches, they recognise a shared calling: to bear witness to fraternity as the continent’s vocation. These days of prayer are part of that journey. They are simple, communal prayers that accompany us, step by step, towards 9 May, Europe Day. Through them, we seek to entrust the continent to God together and to renew our strong commitment to peace, unity and reconciliation. The text was written by Sister Nicole Grochowina and Matthias Buehlmann.
The form of the prayers draws on an ancient Christian tradition and invites us to pause and make room for the action of the Spirit. In a time marked by fragmentation and conflict, they call for a new outpouring of hope for Europe.
One prayer, nine perspectives
Every day is accompanied by the same invocation: we ask God for eyes that see, ears that hear, hearts that welcome, feet that walk, hands that work, and mouths that proclaim the hope of His Kingdom. This repetitive prayer becomes a school of life and places a specific aspect of Christian witness at the centre of each day: a gaze that recognises beauty, listening which is authentic, a heart open to change, the journeying towards the other, hands which are of service and the courage to proclaim.
Unity in Diversity – a shared path of prayer
The central theme of these prayers is clear: Europe needs a soul. A soul nourished by the Gospel, capable of holding together unity and diversity, memory and the future. Praying in this way means to allow oneself to be personally involved, transforming prayer into daily choices and practical actions.
It is not merely a text to be read, but a shared journey that renews our ‘yes’ to Jesus’ New Commandment: to love one another. From this love springs a credible hope, capable of giving back to Europe its face and soul.
DOWNLOAD THE PRAYERS >>
by Together for Europe | 10 Apr 2026 | News
Christ is Risen, may there be peace be among all!
In this Easter season, we are sharing a heartfelt appeal inviting all Christians to unite in prayer for the gift of peace.
Download the appeal for Peace >>
This statement has been written by the “Easter Together” group which is part of the Together for Europe network.
We also take this opportunity to wish our Orthodox friends, who celebrate Easter on 12 April, a blessed feast of the Lord’s Resurrection.
by Klaus Henning | 12 Mar 2026 | Experiences, reflections and interviews, Local Events, News
Aachen – A symbol of European history
Aachen, a city with a deeply European soul, provided the ideal setting. During our visit to the cathedral and the historic centre, the layers of history became tangible: from the legacy of Charlemagne to the scars of the Second World War in the Euregio. In this historical setting, we felt like a “miniature Europe”: a lively diversity from South Limburg, Flanders, Wallonia, the German-speaking community of Belgium and the Rhineland. A special gift was the completely unexpected meeting with Fadi Krikor (Meeting of Leaders) and his wife Nicole right inside the cathedral.
Foundations of peace: Adenauer and de Gaulle
An impetus from Klaus Henning reminded us of the “axis of reconciliation” between France and Germany. The work of Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle, after eighty years of enmity and three devastating wars, laid the foundations for a peaceful Europe. This historic reconciliation remains a central pillar and a mandate for the future.
Unity in diversity: praise and intercession
Despite our different traditions and languages – French, Dutch and German – we were united by our clear focus on Jesus Christ. Our time of communal worship was deeply marked by this central theme. At the same time, we prayed for the suffering of the world, especially the people in the war zones of Iran, Israel and Ukraine. With our blessings and prayers, Jeff and Romkje Fontaine (Schuman Centre) left for Ukraine the very next day.
A day that gives hope
The warm hospitality at the Henning home created an atmosphere of mutual respect and brotherly love. The participants’ feedback speaks for itself: ‘It was a wonderful and profound experience of hope!’ Another voice summed up the experience as follows: ‘It gave me great inner joy to be together as a family. Let us continue to pray for one another and ask God for the grace that peace may return to the world. It was a day full of stars!’
by Klaus Henning
Photo: Klaus Henning
by Alberto Lo Presti | 21 Jan 2026 | Experiences, reflections and interviews, Local Events, News
The goal is to bear witness to the unity among Christians in Europe in order to put it at the service of the development of European policies, moving towards reconciliation and peace. In an international context marked by wars, there is a need to draw on the heritage of Christian values to address the challenges of coexistence among the peoples of the Old Continent.
These values, these principles, are contained in the Christian soul of Europe: ‘Reviving Europe: A Soul for Reconciliation’ is the title of the meeting we will hold at the European Parliament on May 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The program includes the exchange of experiences among young people, dialogue between representatives of political forces on the theme of international order, and exploration conducted by some experts on crucial issues for continental and global balances.
In the preceding days, on the 11th and 12th, guided tours of the European Union’s institutional venues and working sessions between young people and European policy experts are planned.
To adequately prepare for this event, Together for Europe has planned a series of four preliminary meetings, held via video call, attended by all those who will experience the event in Brussels. During these meetings, mutual acquaintance is encouraged, European citizenship is promoted starting from its cultural and institutional characteristics, and the role of Together for Europe in today’s world is examined.
The schedule of these preliminary meetings:
- Friday, January 16, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday, February 6, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday, March 13, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday, April 9, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Those who wish to participate in the video calls can register admin@together4europe.org.
Alberto Lo Presti
Photo: K.Brand/Canva
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)
