Over the last 17 years, explains Bonafede, "we have made lots of steps forward", but "we have not been able to find agreement on baptism and we seem to be unable to speak about it peacefully, even if over these days the reflection has moved on". "Being aware of one’s diversity is very important and helps us see the great lot that binds us as well". Anna Maffei, president of the Baptist Evangelical Christian Union of Italy, highlights "the symbolic value of the Assembly-Synod: "our denominational families regularly need to share powerful occasions to reassert the unity of faith and the reasons behind our calling as evangelical churches in Italy". The process whereby the Baptists are moving closer to the Waldensian and Methodist Churches is a pioneering work in Europe. "Ecumenical Europe as well as the European Baptist Federation says to NEV Anna Maffei look to Italy with great interest. Not only because we have been the first to begin effective cooperation between our denominational families, but also for the ability we have proven to have in facing controversial and complex issues together".
