News
"Together for Europe 2007", an ecumenical gathering to be held 10-12 May in Stuttgart, Germany, has been hailed with "great joy" by Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). In a message to participants, Kobia expressed his hope that their experience will enable Christians "to continue growing together in a spirituality of unity and love".
Co-moderated by a WCC president, Archbishop Dr Anastasios of Tirana, head of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, the event is promoted by more than 170 Christian movements and communities from Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant confessions. A number of European church leaders and politicians are expected to participate.
"We have seen the encouraging outcomes of your last meeting: the fruits of the co-operation of Christian communities and organizations in the spirit of unity across the still existing divisions between church families", says Kobia in his message celebrating the encounter.
"Together for Europe 2007", is the second gathering of its kind. The first such meeting in Stuttgart took place in May 2004. This year more than 12,000 Christians are expected to gather from all over Europe. They will celebrate "the vital contribution made to the well-being of the continent by groups, movements and associations that dedicate themselves to tackling exclusion and strengthening social cohesion in Europe's cities and regions", in the words of the organizers.
The meeting in Stuttgart acknowledges and reflects a "new Europe", says Kobia in his message. Europe is "redefining its boundaries" and "beginning to wake up to the challenges of climate change, water scarcity and the loss of bio-diversity", according to Kobia; Europe, after having "colonized people outside its boundaries in Africa, South America and the Caribbean, in Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East, is now facing the moral obligation of mediating the wars and conflicts and of receiving migrants and refugees".
Highlights of the event will be transmitted live from Stuttgart, and this broadcast is to be shown on a giant screen on Saturday, 12 May, from 09:45 to 17:00, at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva.
Media contacts:
In French speaking Switzerland: [email protected]
022-345-4304 / 021-653-2579
In Europe: [email protected]