” “"At this congress, I have seen many convinced and committed Christians: we are together and, if we work well together, this is the best answer to any secularist movement": with these words, Stefan Vesper, secretary general of the Committee of German Catholics (Zdk), said he is "happy about the successful cooperation between the bishops and lay people from so many different countries of the EU". "The speeches" of the congress "show a great variety of opinions" and prove "that we are united in our faith and that we want to commit ourselves in politics and society. The fact Christians may have different opinions is important and legitimate. It is equally important that the foundation of the Christian faith be recognisable and that these opinions find their grounds in the Gospel. The Message of Rome that we send to the politicians is a document that shows our ability to find agreement on some essential points: strengthening human dignity, justice and peace, the protection of the Creation, of course the protection of life, as well as the protection of marriage and the family. But it is decisive that Christians are not onlookers but protagonists. The worst thing would be if we Christians stood aside, as passive onlookers, commenting but without effectively committing ourselves. Those who do not commit themselves have already lost".” “
