An appeal for dialogue” “

“The power of dialogue, opposed to the monologue of power, is what best contributes to Christian witness”. The final message of the 6th Congress of Christian lay associations of Europe, promoted by the St. Adalbert Foundation, is all dedicated to the importance of and urgent need for dialogue. Held at Gniezno (Poland) from 16 to 18 September, the congress had as its theme: “The Europe of dialogue. Being Christians in a pluralist Europe”. Dialogue is the “response of human dignity”. It begins “in our everyday life” and comprises that inside the Church, the ecumenical dialogue, and also that with the other religions, with non-believers and with the world of culture”. “Christian witness – says the final document – acquires its true dimension in dialogue. Evangelization is not an imposition of the truth, but an opening to the Holy Spirit, the spirit of freedom and love”. Dialogue, however, the message recalls, “must not be confused with the renunciation of one’s own identity and one’s own moral and doctrinal principles”. Here the reference is clear to Europe that “is going through a profound crisis of identity”. “As Christians – underlines the message – we are called to dialogue as much as possible to determine the future of Europe, which is not just a political and economic reality but also a reality that has a need for spirit”. In their final document the delegates express their conviction that “dialogue is the best way to communicate and resolve disputes at various levels, between various cultures, between believers and non-believers, between generations, between rich and poor, between employers and employees”, and for this reason they encourage “any form of negotiation, mediation and arbitration”.The final part of the message is devoted to dialogue in the Church, which is considered “insufficient” and characterized by “a lack of trust between clergy and laity”. “It is essential to pursue ecumenical dialogue, which cannot be confined to the doctrinal aspect or to meetings between the hierarchies. A dialogue between the whole community of the faithful is indispensable”. Dialogue is also “reconciliation between man and nature, the creation. Reconciliation between man and his environment invites dialogue at all levels”. Hence the appeal to Europe to “open itself also to the other nations of the continent and of the world. The reconciliation of man with himself requires a well-developed conscience and a re-examination of his own lifestyle and his own system of values”. “The Europe of the spirit we wish to construct – concludes the statement – is a pledge to responsibility, dialogue and reconciliation”.