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European unity is in the making; Eastern and Southern European nations are being included. And now, for the first time in history, Movements, communities and groups of various Christian denominations, have embarked on a unified journey towards fellowship and collaboration. Together they want to contribute to the continent’s spiritual unity, to building a kind of Europe which lives up to its universal vocation of peace and unity among peoples.
Movements, Communities and groups would like to render visible existing realities such as:
– a network of brotherhood which has already been extended throughout the continent and is breaking down false nationalism and historical barriers;
– spiritual renewal which is growing out of putting the Gospel into practice and is manifesting itself in different sectors of social life;
– the contribution of the nations towards building a Europe that belongs to its citizens.
The venue of this grand assembly will be Stuttgart (Germany), at the Hanns Martin Schleyer Sports Palace, and will be linked up by satellite with meetings to be held at the same time in over 100 cities of Europe.
The program includes presentations by founders and leaders of different Movements, Communities and groups, among which are: Chiara Lubich, Andrea Riccardi; Evangelical – Lutheran Pastors Friedrich Aschoff, Ulrich Parzany, Orthodox Fr. Heikki Huttunen. The audience can also look forward to hearing Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, and Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, as well as Johannes Friedrich, Bishop of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Baviera.
Many experiences of life will be shared by members of various Movements, Communities and groups as to how they respond to the basic questions of today: namely, questions about peace, about a new lifestyle which puts Europeans in dialogue with one another, how to integrate different cultures and peoples; family values, solidarity with Europe’s and the world’s disadvantaged. The youth, too, will have a word to say about their commitment and their “vision” of Europe.
The program will also include artistic pieces to express Europe’s cultural riches. Among the participating artists are: Judy Bailey, Albert Frey, Beatbetrieb, Gen Rosso, Gen Verde, as well as the Ballet Company of Liliana Cosi and Marinel Stefanescu.
Bishops of different Churches, a large number of political representatives of different European countries, and personalities of the cultural sphere are also expected to attend.
