A special moment” “

“A dream that has begun to come true”: that’s how Cardinal Walter Kasper , president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, defined the congress “Together to discover and share the riches” which brought together some 2000 representatives of 175 movements and communities of all Christian confessions (Catholic, Evangelic, Orthodox and Anglican) in Stuttgart from 6-7 May. The movements present included the Focolari, St.Egidio, Equipe Notre Dame, Chemin Neuf, Emmanuel Community, Cursillos, Renewal of the Spirit and Charismac Renewal. The two-day meeting was devoted to getting to know each other and working together on European issues. The participants were involved in 32 thematic forums and round tables where they were able to exchange experiences and opinions. Various issues were on the agenda: from political involvement to the dedication to peace and the contribution of Christians to the process of European unification. The meeting ended with a celebration and ecumenical prayer, at which 53 bishops of six different churches also participated. “This – said Cardinal Kasper – is a quite special moment for ecumenism”. And the Lutheran bishop Christian Krause , president of the World Lutheran Federation, added: “Let’s continue along this road”. As the Europeans elections approach, SirEurope collected some opinions from participants at the Stuttgart meeting on the contribution of Christians to the European Union. Europe cannot exist “without the Churches”. Cardinal walter kasper president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, underlined the point, joining his voice to the numerous appeals being made on this score by the Holy Father. Kasper recalled that Christians have much to offer Europe; above all, they can help to “give the fundamental values for the co-existence of peoples. The future of Europe must be founded on a culture of life, a culture of love, justice and peace. And all this belongs to the Christian message”. But all this requires that Christians be united. “The unity of the Churches – explained Kasper – is a presupposition for a union that is more than ecumenical: it must be a union of hearts”. “The union of Christians – he added – is important for the credibility of our faith. We cannot preach unity and peace and do the opposite. Therefore, to be credible, we must do everything possible to unite and hope that the Holy Spirit will help us”. “New men” are needed. “The witness of mutual love among Christians – said Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, archbishop of Prague – is fundamental, because, as the Gospel says, ‘from this they will recognise that you are my disciples’. Europe has a need for new people, people capable of transmitting the values of the Gospel by their life. Today facts are believed more than words. Witnesses are believed more than preachers. Many projects are being supported by the European Union, but very little is still being done to form new men. Yet that is the only way of transmitting values to Europe and spreading love. People think that love is only found in churches. But love must become a lifestyle, a culture”. The culture of love is especially a culture that announces “hope”. “Those who don’t believe in God – explained Cardinal Vlk – are afraid. Christians, on the contrary, although they belong to history, look to heaven as their goal. And heaven has remained open to humanity. So Christians must testify that no tear must be lost, that even death is a door to eternity and that the Heaven of the Risen Christ is among us!”. A European people already exists. Some ten thousand Christians gathered in Stuttgart to demonstrate “togetherness for Europe”. These events – commented Msgr. Aldo Giordano, general secretary of the Council of Episcopal Conferences – tell Europe that “a European people, a brotherhood constituted by the Gospel, does exist. It is already crossing the frontiers, and it’s a people of the whole of Europe”. “We are – added Giordano – in a phase in which Europe is called to rediscover Christianity”, not a Christianity as a “privilege to defend”, or as a “risk to the secular state”. “A Christianity faithful to the Gospel – explained Giordano – creates a space open to diversity”. A Europe open to the world. According to Marco Impagliazzo, president of the St. Egidio Community, the Christian witness is a witness that starts out from Europe but that cannot fail to address itself to the rest of the world. “Our continent – added Impagliazzo – cannot live for itself, engrossed in its own problems. The southern hemisphere, and especially Africa, is knocking at Europe’s doors. The presence of so many immigrants is an eloquent sign. That’s why we dream that Europe may open itself to the poorest countries of the world with love and a sense of responsibility”. chiara biagioni sir correspondent at stuttgart