The campaign organized by Austrian Catholic Action (KAÖ) in preparation for imminent EU enlargement was presented in Vienna on Friday, 23 April. “Welcome together in Europe” is the name of the project, aimed, in the words of Peter Grubits, administrator of the organization, “at making Europe not only a question of head, but also of heart”. The campaign is planning for 1st May the day of enlargement “Europe’s biggest handshake”, in other words the meeting between Christians on the frontiers between Austria and the neighbouring countries due to become new members of the EU. Various exponents of the Church, and of the political and social world, will also participate in the event and give a welcome to personalities of the new member countries. Welcoming celebrations will be held in all the Austrian dioceses bordering on the new member states. A human chain will be formed, stretching all the way from Carinthia to Slovenia. The Austrian organization has also prepared a brochure “Werkbuch Europa”, which tries to dispel the fears relating to enlargement, and contains information on the new member states and suggestions for projects and initiatives. To strengthen mutual understanding between the Christians of Eastern and Western Europe, the KAÖ has also organized an international meeting of Catholics, with the title, “Christians in the construction of Europe”. The main speakers will include the president of COMECE, Bishop Josef Homeyer, the secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, Monsignor Josef Clemens, and the President of the EU Commission Romano Prodi. The meeting will be held in Vienna on 20/21 May, immediately before the “pilgrimage of peoples” to the Marian sanctuary at Mariazell, culminating event of the “Katholikentag” of the Catholics of Central Europe.
