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In January 2002, the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (Cec) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (Ccee) started to think about how to structure a Third European Ecumenical Assembly following those at Basle (1989) and Graz (1997). Many aspects were considered. We came to the conclusion that the urgent need for Europe today is a new common Christian witness. Europe is a continent with the potential to create space within which the different Christian Churches can meet, share mutual testimonies and decide how to work together serving the needs of our society. We recognized that it is time to set out humbly on the journey to find anew a light to guide us along the path of reconciliation and inspire us to overcome any temptation to turn back. Our particular contribution lies in building up a European network capable of bringing together the majority of churches and communities that exist on the continent. The theme we have chosen has received large consensus: The light of Christ shines upon all. Hope for renewal and unity in Europe. Rather than concentrate on a one-off event, we have opted for a two-year assembly process, almost a sort of European “pilgrimage” which will culminate in the Sibiu Assembly in September 2007. The assembly process will not deal directly with present doctrinal questions between In a concrete way we wish to strengthen and broaden the European ecumenical network. The primary players in the process and the assembly are the ecumenical delegates of the churches, Episcopal Conferences, communities and ecumenical bodies. We have great trust in the role to be played in this journey by the different ecumenical experiences which the Holy Spirit has given Europe in recent years. Special attention is to be paid to the younger generations. The second objective is rediscovering the gift of light which the Gospel of Christ is for Europe today. Taking into account the major challenges for churches coming from European culture and society, the assembly process leading to Sibiu wants to contribute to: giving back to the Christians of the continent confidence in the possibility of living the Gospel in a culture marked by secularization; rediscovering and deepening Christian and ecclesial identity in order to equip ourselves for a truer and more authentic dialogue with present-day culture; responding to the profound questions which our society has to pose to us about the things of the spirit, the search for meaning in life, the expectations of men and women today, and especially the expectations of the younger generations; dealing with common questions faced by our generation (freedom of religion, migration, peace, solidarity, etc.), revealing the intrinsic and dynamic relationship between the spiritual-liturgical dimension and diaconal-social commitment; deepening the encounters and dialogue between the religions present throughout the continent; progressing and shedding light on the process of European unification (in this process the Churches are aware that there exists a Europe which has wider borders than the European Union and which goes beyond its political and economic horizons); becoming aware of Europe’s responsibility towards other continents. We are grateful for being able to begin this journey with so many sisters and brothers. We really do not know in advance where it will take us, but we are certain that our journey is in the heart of our Father in Heaven.
