The handing out to all the participants of the "Letter to the Christians of Europe" marked the end, in Wittenberg yesterday, of the last preparatory meetings for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (Aee3) due to take place in Sibiu (Romania) from 4th to 9th September. "In this shared journey", reads the document, "we have tried to improve mutual trust and understanding by living, working and praying together". A thought is given "to the many people who live their calling as sacrificial witnesses in the difficult situations that still exist in our continent": "Those who work for human freedom and dignity" push the Christian communities to "overcome fear and mistrust". "We invite you all to a pilgrimage of light", this is the proposal made to the Christians of Europe in the run-up to the Aee3, "which invites us to recognise the darkness of our misunderstanding". To overcome "suspicion and hostility", the steps to be taken are to "join in prayer" and "work to bring justice and hope" into the continent. The Churches gathered in Wittenberg wish "the journey to Sibiu will become a new starting point for the Christians of Europe to work together so that ends the message the light of Christ over Europe may shine with renewed intensity".
