“Our mission is to pray and celebrate, but we also propose moments of reflection on European issues”, said Sister Dominique Sadoux, religious of the order of the Sacred Heart, describing the activities of the chapel of the Resurrection in Brussels in the running of which she is involved. The chapel was the venue in recent days of eucharistic celebrations, moments of ecumenical prayer and talks, on the occasion of the international congress for the new evangelization “Toussaint2006”. Situated in the midst of the enormous buildings of the European Quarter, it was restored and opened for worship thanks to an association of laypeople founded in 1997 which made possible its reopening by collecting funds with the help of the European institutions and with the generous contribution of many donors, both public and private. The chapel’s consecration took place on 21 December 2000. Pastoral responsibility for the chapel is assigned to the European Jesuit mission, but a Protestant pastor and an Orthodox priest also form part of the pastoral team. “The Finnish Lutheran Church also holds a service in the chapel every fortnight”, explains Sister Dominique, emphasising the importance of “combining catholicity with ecumenical openness”. “Ecumenism – she continues – has a crucial role to play for the reconstruction of a reconciled Europe, after its long history of national strife and religious division. In a Christian and multifaith Europe, contacts with the other religions are also important”, she adds, with reference to the photographic exhibition on the Russian Orthodox Church held in recent weeks and the various lectures promoted on Islam. Sign of dialogue and hope of reconciliation: “One day – reminisces Sister Dominique – we saw in the chapel, sitting side by side, a senior Palestinian representative and an Israeli ambassador”. For further information: www.resurrection.be
