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 “Great moments 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>>
You can download the PDF version of the book in English 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
by Peter Forst | 4 Jul 2025 | Local Events, News
Background
St Matthew’s Church in Munich is surrounded on three sides by the Nussbaumpark and borders Sendlinger-Tor-Platz to the east. A place in the centre of the city and yet surrounded by greenery: an ideal place for a meeting with the theme “Seek the Good of the City”. But the first impression is deceptive. It is not an idyllic place. A homeless man has spent the night on the steps of the Lutheran church and people are always asking for money at the church doors.
In St Matthew’s church, the topic discussed was this city. Exploring the best for this city, with all its contradictions. All over the world, cities are desired places. In a few years, half of humanity will live in cities. And the Christians? ‘Cities grow, but Christians often abandon them,’ Rainer Harter, director of the Freiburg House of Prayer, noted with regret. The TfE weekend had a decidedly different tone with over 200 participants, most of them from Germany, but also from Austria
Facing reality
The title of the event “Seek the Good of the City” is a biblical quote from the prophet Jeremiah. ‘Jeremiah’s words exhort us to accept reality as it is, without deluding ourselves or regretting the “good old days”, but above all without giving up hope for the future,’ said Janina Hiebel, an Old Testament expert, in her talk on Saturday morning, dedicated to an in-depth historical, spiritual and theological study of the title. She continued: ‘Seek the best and pray for the city, the country and the world in which you live, which also means: do not build enemy images, but overcome them. Preserve your identity without isolating yourself. God will allow Himself to be found by you, even and especially in the places you consider to be hopelessly distant from God”.
Deborah Dittmer, head of the Vineyard community in Munich, reiterated the same concept in her speech: ‘We have to abandon our victim mentality. We are not victims! We are not rulers either! We are salt and light for the world! This does not mean that we have to find everything good. But let us choose an attitude of love towards this world, society, people, accepting all existing problems and challenges; no attitude of fear, aversion or isolation’.
The city – a meeting place founded on love
In the main talk of the morning, Jesús Morán, Co-President of the Focolare Movement, illustrated how lay and spiritual thinkers have described the city over the centuries: as a place where the opportunities and limits of reason and justice are recognisable; a place that must be founded on love. Only then, according to Morán, connected by video conference, does the city become “a place of encounter between man and God. This is what the Christian vision of the city produces: the passage from rationality to relationality, from the rationale of the individual to the rationale of a community’. Christians, Morán continues, could “commit themselves to building, in the midst of the visible cities of our continent, those ‘invisible cities’ that are true prophetic portents of the Kingdom of God”. Read the full text in Italian>> o German>>
Already on Friday afternoon, during a discussion with ecclesial representatives and a politician, they had discussed what was “the best” for the city and how to recognise it. ‘Seeking the best for the city’ means giving a voice to those who would otherwise have none, helping the poor and weak to be heard, said Markus Grübel, member of the Bundestag from 2002 to 2025 and in charge of the federal government for religious freedom in the world from 2018 to 2021.
Seeking what unites
Jeremiah urged the people of Israel to seek the best for the foreign, indeed enemy, city of Babylon, emphasised Thomas Prieto Peral, Evangelical-Lutheran Regional Bishop of Munich. It is perhaps the oldest appeal to keep the common good in mind. All should be well. And so, according to Prieto Peral, our place is at the side of the people who are attacked, who are afraid, no matter who they are. Christoph Klingen, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising, added: ‘Looking for the best means looking for what unites us. In this way, the witness of Christians for the city can shine brighter’.
Inside St Matthew’s church, a large mosaic attracts attention. It depicts the “heavenly Jerusalem”, the city of God. In order to worship and honour this God, the programme included a lot of time for prayer and praise, organised by the “Lobpreiswerkstatt” (praise workshop) of the Immanuel community in Ravensburg. In his homily during the concluding service, Reinhardt Schink, president of the Evangelical Alliance in Germany, asked who had the power to achieve the best for the city. The elephant? The lion? His answer: no, it is the lamb. “On the cross, evil has lost everything. Life unfolds there where there is willingness to give oneself to others’.
The covenant of mutual love, the foundation of Togetherness, was renewed in Munich: “Jesus, we say yes to your commandment and renew our covenant of mutual love. We want to love one another, as you have promised. We pray thee, strengthen our love through the Holy Spirit and be among us, as thou hast promised. Work in us and through us, that we may be a blessing to our fellow human beings and serve the good of society”.
Photos of the event can be seen by clicking here>>.
by Theresia Fürpaß | 30 May 2025 | 2025 Europe Day, Austria, Local Events, News
Inspiration, unity and hope in a online event
On the evening of 8 May 2025, people from different Christian communities and denominations gathered in front of their screens to participate in an event on Zoom, promoted by Together for Europe and the ‘Families’ Movement of Schönstatt, Austria’. Under the motto ‘For the future of Europe’, the online event offered a mix of reflections, personal testimonies and musical contributions.
A varied programme with moving speeches
The meeting opened with the profound reflections of Fr. Heinrich Walter, Schönstatt, who shared his long experience with Together for Europe: a glimpse into the spiritual depth and potential of this network at European level. Another highlight was a video message from Lukas Mandl, Austrian Member of the European Parliament. He described his vision of a united Europe, aware of its Christian roots and able to use them as a foundation for a peaceful future. Imo Trojan, an Evangelical, emphasised the importance of interfaith dialogue. His personal commitment and interest in the spiritual wealth of the different European countries was inspiring. Sascha Becker, YMCA Vienna, spoke of his vocation and faithfulness to the journey with Together for Europe: how important it is to find one’s place in the network and to contribute to it with passion!
Touching personal testimonies showed how talents and charisms of individuals and communities become visible and effective along the journey together. Musical contributions and prayers for peace and unity completed the programme.
Prayers for Europe in Innsbruck and Klagenfurt
Other signs of hope took place in Austria: in Innsbruck (8 May) and Klagenfurt (9 May), Christians from different Churches gathered for ecumenical moments of prayer for Europe. In Innsbruck, many were struck by the prayer of the Member of the European Parliament, Mag. Sophia Kircher, whereas in Klagenfurt, the piano performance of a Ukrainian pianist was a particularly intense musical moment, making the bond with the peoples of other countries tangible.
In remembrance of the Schuman Declaration, which 75 years ago laid the foundations for the European Union, biographical insights were offered into the life of a man whose Christian beliefs profoundly influenced his political vision.
Biblical texts and spiritual reflections invited recollection and opened a space for meditation. A final agape and personal exchange concluded the meetings, bringing out the desire for a reconciled coexistence between the Churches and peoples of Europe.
A continent in transformation needs people with faith, hope and reconciliation.
Theresia Fürpaß
by Together for Europe | 24 May 2025 | 2025 Europe Day, Local Events, News
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the city of Strasbourg organised a fair with entertainment for children and some 20 stands run by pro-European institutions and associations. All this was in the context of Europe Day.
The Committee of Together for Europe in Strasbourg decided to participate in the event.
First and foremost, this helped to strengthen the group, both in the preparation and management of the stand. In addition, it enabled interesting contacts and important discussions with the public. It was also an opportunity to forge links, in particular with other exhibitors at the fair. This broadened our dialogue with associations that are committed on a civil level to a more solidarity-based European project.
The event concluded with an ecumenical celebration at the Temple Neuf, a Lutheran church in the centre of Strasbourg. At a historic moment when war has returned to Europe’s doorstep and the European project seems threatened, Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical and Anglican pastors and faithful gathered for a moment of prayer. It centred on the words of the Schuman Declaration and reiterated the common commitment to peace. A future of peace in Europe and in the world – so it was said – will depend on those who know that they are heirs to a strong history and are committed to living in fraternity. This is the best way to help realise Europe’s motto: ‘United in diversity’.
TfE Strasbourg Team
Photo: Michel Batt /Valérie Velten
