The voice of Christian-inspired Movements in the field of peace, the fight against poverty, formation, and the family. A journey into some testimonies, in preparation of the 12 May 2012 event in the European Parliament in Brussels. A base of people, of civil society, that has the future of the continent at heart, not seen as closed or turned back on itself, but at the service of the world. The 12 May event in Brussels will be connected to more than 100 simultaneous events in many other European cities. It shows the vitality of this journey that has taken a stronger hold in the region.
It is enough to remember the large wave of protests that precisely in recent days have rocked the continent and the whole world, to highlight the desire of the base to make its voice be heard. Also on 12 May in the European Parliament of Brussels a voice will be heard, the voice of the Christian-inspired Movements who with their efforts in the areas of peace, the family, school, poverty, education and more, are continuing to strengthen the social fabric of the continent in ways that are convincing.
For example, Belgium, the country that hosts the 12 May event, with Brussels seat of the major European institutions, is undergoing a profound institutional crisis which has held it politically paralyzed for one year and a half. In this same context, a group of Movements and Communities – which grew from 8 to 25 to 50 – are rediscovering the gift of diversity as a mutual enrichment, a possible key for overcoming divisions among Flemish, Walloons and Germans-speakers. In the spring, the francophone and Flemish Charismatic Movement held a national evening of prayer for the unity of the country. The national work committee of Together for Europe in Belgium has also promised an information day about Together for Europe which will be open to all Movements and associations in the country, and a meeting to explain the event to European officials.
Norway is a country outside of the European Union, but one from which a great message of peace has been offered following the attacks this year in Oslo: A positive sign of solidarity, of new relationships among people. In such a materialistic land,” says Katarina who lives in the Oslo focolare for years, “it is good to start over with a spiritual vision of life. After the massacre we realized that we had to love each other more.” Norway requested that Together for Europe would precisely underscore this loving each other “more” with respect to political institutions, pointing toward the idea that we are together.
In the editorial world: In Germania in the book “Lieber Bruder in Rom” (Dearest Brother in Rome, Monaco, 2011), which was published on the occasion of Benedict XVI’s visit to his homeland, and which contains letters from leaders in the Evangelical world, Lutheran bishop Johannesdotter cites precisely “the journey of “Together for Europe.” Also Pastor Thomas Römer, member of the Guidance Committee for “Together for Europe,” published a book for the 125th anniversary of the YMCS in Monaco of Bavaria, which carries the talk given by Chiara Lubich at the Cathedral of Monaco in 2001, and also other discussions with other protagonists of “Together for Europe.”
The journey through Europe will continue next month with a zoom-in on other nations.
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