by Koni Brand | Nov 25, 2015 | News
100 leading delegates of the network “Together for Europe” were gathering from 12th to 14th November. Together they publish the following statement in answer to the terror attacks in Paris.
“With dismay we heard of the dramatic attacks in Paris. We were together in Marienkroon in the Netherlands, more than 100 delegates from different Christian movements and communities coming from 13 European countries and different confessions and churches.
For us Europe is the continent in which people from all different cultures and religious varieties are welcome and should live united in freedom and peace.
We interrupted our work in order to be silent and to pray together. The events compel us to commit ourselves ever more intensely for Europe’s values. Our Christian faith too calls and obliges us to this.
We feel with the families of the victims and are united in solidarity with the politicians who have to take grave decisions in these days.
We live as friends in Europe and experience a deep closeness with the French people. We pledge to pray for peace more than ever and to live for it, to spread it wherever we are.
We want to live in mutual love and strengthen the powers of trust even more. With a humane face and faithfulness to its values Europe will have a common future.
by Koni Brand | Oct 21, 2015 | News
In mid October some of the leaders responsible for Together for Europe visited Bishop Dr. Frank O. July, Vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation. The meeting was characterised by an extremely cordial atmosphere.
Fr. Heinrich Walter (Schoenstatt), Diego Goller (Focolare Movement), Pastor Thomas Römer (YMCA Munich), Sr. Anna-Maria aus der Wiesche (Christusbruderschaft Selbitz) and Gerhard Pross (YMCA Esslingen) were very pleased with the open dialogue that took place. Gerhard Pross sums up: “We were able to discuss issues related to the reconciliation between Churches and steps on the journey to unity. Encounters such as this are moments of light and are instrumental and effective in the preparation of our upcoming Event in June and July in Munich”.
by Koni Brand | Oct 3, 2015 | 2016 Munich, News
“In recent months we have been looking for ways to tell Pope Francis more about our network called “Together for Europe “. We wanted to invite him to contribute via video to the public rally on 02/07/2016 at the Karlsplatz in Munich.
Then, when it became clear that on 3 September I would be presented with the opportunity to briefly speak to him during a private audience in occasion of the General Chapter of the Schoenstatt Community, I gladly accepted. The day before I had received the freshly printed brochure in Italian from the International Secretariat of “Together for Europe” in Rocca di Papa.
I knew that an audience should not be used for advertising purposes, but I took courage and explained our plans to Pope Francis in Spanish. I shared with him how our ‘Together’ had begun 15 years ago and had proceeded under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I explained which movements take part and mentioned its ecumenical character and that we wondered if he would record a video to be shown at the rally. He listened very attentively, and as though he wanted to acknowledge what he heard, then said with a grin: “Shall we do it straight away ?!” Immediately afterwards I got a chance to speak to his secretary, Archbishop Gänswein, and learned that they know about our network and that we should formally present our request again in writing in few months time. “
by P. Heinrich Walter, Schönstatt
by Koni Brand | Sep 29, 2015 | News
On September 7, 2015, at the invitation of the YMCA Montevideo (Uruguay) an open information evening was held about Together for Europe . Representatives from 10 different churches and members of the Focolare Movement and the YMCA accepted the invitation. Gerhard Pross, who happened to be in South America, gave a lively report with many inspiring examples on how the ‘Together ‘ is lived. The “Five Keys to Unity” received special attention and were picked up upon in subsequent discussion. The reception which followed the talks provided participants with an excellent opportunity to share their experiences. Some of them were tossing the idea if it might be possible to start this ‘Together’ also in South America. The encounter with Gerhard Pross encouraged those present to take steps in this direction.
by Koni Brand | Sep 24, 2015 | News
Aware of the rich and age-old cultural history of our Bavarian-Swabian region, the province and the city of Dillingen on the Danube have established the “European Foundation of St. Ulrich.”
Through this Foundation, the province and the city of Dillingen on the Danube, the birthplace of St. Ulrich, aim to further European unity in the Christian spirit.
Since 1993, the 1,000th anniversary of the canonization of Bishop St. Ulrich, a figure of great importance for Germany and for Europe, the European Prize of St. Ulrich is awarded regularly to initiatives or institutions which have distinguished themselves by extraordinary merits in the area of European unity, in the political, ecclesiastical, scientific, cultural, economic and social fields.
“Building a Christian Europe” is the duty of all those who, on the basis of the cultural and artistic heritage and core values, desire to contribute to the future of our history. Great witnesses of the faith of our country, such as Bishop Ulrich, Albert the Great, Margarete Ebner, Peter Canisius, Johann Michael Sailer, Johann Ev.Wagner and Dominikus Ringeisen have given us outstanding examples.
The commitment of the international network of Together for Europe is driven by the vision of reconciled unity in diversity. The Movements and Christian communities which are part of it do not want to standardize the confessional or national identities, but together are committed to safeguarding and promoting the treasure of the Christian heritage in Europe. They build bridges in Europe taking steps towards reconciliation and weaving friendships beyond the most various borders. In this way, a current of hope inspired by the Gospel has been born, which involves men and women who are committed for the good of society. Recognizing these extraordinary merits, the European Foundation of St. Ulrich awarded the 2014 European Award of St. Ulrich to the network of Together for Europe, to which 300 Christian Movements and Communities belong.
Leo Schrell Frank Kunz Dr. Konrad Zdarsa
