In worrying times for the world, 221 Friends of Together for Europe gathered for their annual meeting from 16 to 18 November 2023 in Timişoara (Romania), European Capital of Culture 2023, at the invitation of Roman Catholic Bishop József-Csaba Pál. From the outset, a commitment and a hope to be taken on together was envisaged: to enter the cracks to dare for peace, to strengthen the path between Eastern and Western Europe, between the different Churches, and to contribute to the Continent with an injection of spirituality. Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Reformed, Anglican and Free Church Christians from 29 countries and 51 Movements and Communities were present.
Of significant importance was the opening to the world of Orthodoxy and the political world. Among those present were numerous political and religious authorities, including the former Prime Minister of Slovakia Eduard Heger, the Romanian Secretary of State for Religion Ciprian Vasile Olinici, Bishops of various Churches, the President of the Focolare Movement Margaret Karram, the Director of the ‘Centre for Religion, Human Values and International Relations’ in Dublin, Philip McDonagh.
The city made itself known through glimpses of its history and testimonies of young people and families, priests and bishops: in miniature, a model of Europe for the harmony of the diversity of culture and faith, which coexist here and thus become mutually enriching.
On Friday afternoon, the participants attended Vespers at the Orthodox Cathedral, presided over by the Orthodox Archbishop of the city, Metropolitan of Banat, Ioan Selejan. On the last morning, 150 citizens of Timişoara, together with the mayor Dominic Fritz, joined those present.
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