The apostolates of work of Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Swtzerland all form part of GEPO, as also do representatives of the European coordination of the International Movement of the apostolate of children (MIDADE), the international coordination of GIOC and the world Movement of Christian Workers (MMTC-MTCE). GEPO was founded in 1972 in the aftermath of Vatican Council II, on the initiative of some European bishops especially alert to the condition of workers, in the first place Msgr. Guy Deroubaix, at the time secretary of the Workers’ Mission of France and later bishop of St. Denis. GEPO’s objective is to “reinforce solidarity, the struggle for justice, the annunciation of the word and an action of liberation inspired by the Gospel and Christian social teaching ‘in’ and ‘with’ the world of work in Europe. To this end it contributes to the support of the apostolate of work in the various countries and helps raise awareness of these issues within the various fields of Christian life. It has held a series of meetings over the years: at Rome (1972), at Chevilly-Larue in France (1983), at El Escorial in Spain (1987), at Rome (1991), at Wegsheid in Germany (1995), at Porto in Portugal (1999) and in Brussels in 2000 and in 2001. The meetings are prepared by a ‘continuity group’ composed of representatives of the various countries that meets twice each year.
