The ‘stuff’ of ecumenism” “

“Unveilings” (“Enthüllungen”) is the slogan of the ecumenical Via Crucis of German youth, which traditionally takes place on the Friday before Palm Sunday. Introduced 46 years ago, the event is organized by the League of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), by the Community of work of Evangelic Youth (AEJ) and by the Office of youth apostolate of the Episcopal Conference. In previous years, the Via Crucis took place in over 6,000 parishes, and the event aroused growing interest in Holland, Austria, in the German-speaking area of Luxembourg, in Belgium and in Switzerland. The federal chairman of the BDKJ, Father Andreas Mauritz , describes for us the significance and aims of this event, especially from an ecumenical point of view. What are the symbols chosen for this year’s Via Crucis, in view of the differences between the two confessions? “This year the approach to the story of the Passion of Christ is being focused on the garments and ‘stuffs’ associated with the events of the Via Crucis: for example, the temple curtain torn in two at the moment of Christ’s death, the purple robe with which the mockers of Christ array him, and the garments of Jesus for which lots are cast to decide who should take them. The title of the ecumenical Via Crucis of youth in 2004 is called “Unveilings”: children and adolescents are fond of experimenting with clothes, of dressing up. Often dress is decisive for the young in the way they present themselves and express their own identity”. What contribution does this event hope to make to ecumenical dialogue? “The ecumenical Via Crucis of the young has taken place both in the Federal Republic of Germany and in the former DDR since 1958. This prayer represented an important factor of cohesion during the years of separation by the Wall. The force of prayer cannot be stopped by frontiers: it was not possible then, just as it is not possible today. Ecumenism takes on tangible form also through the joint preparation of this Via Crucis and by the fact that German Christians of Evangelic faith and of Catholic faith, especially the young, meet together to pray in many places throughout Germany. It’s a prayer that unites in a single prayer Christians both of East and West, young and old. During the ecumenical congress of the Churches, held in Berlin in 2003, the BDKJ prepared and ran the Youth Centre, in partnership with the AEJ. During the various events held as part of this important gathering, Evangelics and Catholics met together, speaking of their own faith and strengthening it. The BDKJ has long been working together with the AEJ also in the field of aid and development policy”. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is being held this year with the slogan: “My peace I give to you” (Jn.14,27)… “The words of Jesus are especially a message to the Christian youth of both confessions, since the young yearn for peace. Each day, on this earth, both the young and adults must come to terms with the reality of war and violence and they suffer from it. The consciousness of the fact that on this earth there’s a need for ever more people of good will is nothing new: it continues to be as actual as ever and represents a challenge. The fact that Jesus says: “My peace I give you” is important. It’s an indestructible peace, on which the young can count and from which they can draw the strength for their commitment to ecumenism, to peace and justice and for their life in this country”.