Due to the pandemic, for the past three years the Friends of the ecumenical network Together for Europe were forced to hold only online meetings. Things have changed and now they plan to meet physically this autumn: in Porto, Portugal, from 11 till 13 November 2022.

In the invitation letter sent by the Steering Committee we read: “Porto is found in the extreme west of Europe and we are very happy to discover the richness and the challenges that our brothers and sisters have in this part of the Continent”. The Portuguese national Committee, which embraces 10 Movements, has extended its invitation three years ago, and its desire will soon be a reality. “Undoubtedly, it will be a great discovery for all of us and we are grateful to the many persons who have been working for some time to welcome us”.

A NEW MISSION FOR EUROPE

The motto of the Meeting of the Friends will be “A new mission for Europe!”. It entails praying together with our Portuguese brothers and sisters, listening to them and reflecting with them, while they share their experiences of unity and reconciliation.

The aforementioned letter continues: “In the present difficult times that Europe is passing through, we want to be united and live that unity to which we have been called. This Meeting will surely be a discovery and an adventure for all of us, because we shall meet the city of Porto and its history, the communities and the Movements of the Portuguese Together, as well as many committed young people in Portugal”.

To allow the greatest possible number of Portuguese the possibility to know the reality of Together for Europe, the organizers decided to hold the Meeting in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Portuguese. The venue of the Meeting is the meeting hall of the “Associação Católica do Porto”.

Registration, via the leadership of individual Communities, is still open and will remain so till October 10, 2022.

Heinrich Brehm