Delegates gathered for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) at the end of January have revealed great enthusiasm for further collaboration between Christians in Europe.

|TOP|The sub-theme of the gathering of 150 leading European Christians in Rome from Jan. 24th to 27th was “Rediscovering new light in the crucified and risen Christ on the road to reconciliation between Christians in Europe”, and is part of the overall theme for the EEA3 – “The light of Christ shines upon all – Hope for renewal and unity in Europe”.

In his opening remarks, the President of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE), Bishop Amédée Grab, described the Assembly process as a “pilgrimage aimed at discovering the gifts contained in the various Christian traditions.”

President of the Council of European Churches (CEC), Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, added: “We want to witness together to the good news of the Gospel in a secularised Europe which doubts that reference to Christ can help it to have hope in its future.”

The delegates from over 44 European countries and representing 40 churches, 34 bishops’ conferences and over 50 movements and ecumenical organisations were welcomed with an opening prayer prepared by the local churches around Rome and an address by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Professor Gianni Long, President of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, and Metropolitan Gennadios, Orthodox Archbishop of Italy and Malta.

Cardinal Walter Kasper of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity delivered a speech on the ecumenical situation in Europe together with Bishop Margot Kaessman of the Evangelical Church in Germany.

Both spoke of the simultaneous challenges and hopes for progress in ecumenical relations, with Cardinal Kasper adding that European Christians have a special responsibility.

|QUOTE|He said: “Today as Christians we are challenged to stand together for Europe and for a peaceful order in Europe.”

Bishop Kaessman said, “There is more which binds us together that which separates us,” adding that there was a need for a “recognisable common witness” of Christians in Europe.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, representing the United Kingdom, illustrated the theme and objectives of the EEA3 together with Metropolitan Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

While Metropolitan Daniel focussed on the theme of Christ as light, underlining its Trinitarian dimension and its missionary consequences for European Christians, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor warned that “suspicion, inertia and impatience” are the main enemies of ecumenism.

He went on to outline the means for overcoming such challenges by meeting and praying together, building up an effective ecumenical spirituality, and by engendering renewed hope and enthusiasm for the ecumenical journey.

|AD|One of the highpoints of the gathering was a “Pilgrimage in remembrance of the Apostle Paul”, with a visit to the ancient monastic complex of “Tre Fontane” and participation in solemn Vespers at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls presided by Pope Benedict XVI at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

In an address to delegates of the EEA3 meeting, the Pope said: “We have such a long way to go! But let us not be discouraged; rather, let us start out again together with greater vigour. We can count on Christ’s unfailing presence; humbly and tirelessly, we beg Him for the precious gift of unity and peace.”

During a subsequent audience with the Pope, he gave his approval of the Assembly theme, saying it “shows that this is the true priority for Europe: to be engaged for Christ’s light to shine in Europe and to illuminate with renewed vigour the path of the European continent at the dawn of the new millennium.”

He added: “Our presence as Christians will prove incisive and enlightening only if we have the courage to continue decisively down the way of reconciliation and unity.”

On the last day of the launch gathering for EEA3, the 150 ecumenical delegates approved the text of a “Letter to the Christians of Europe”, which stated: “Having committed ourselves to a common journey we have sought to build mutual trust and understanding by working and praying together.

“We have also endeavoured to foster a spirituality that is rooted in God’s Word. Through prayer and action, we hope to engender renewed enthusiasm for our ecumenical journey. We have been encouraged to turn to the one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – who is the source of communion/koinonia and love...Let us join together on this journey!”

Stage 2 of the EEA3 will comprise of national and regional meetings to be held between Pentecost 2006 and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 2007.

The third stage will be a special gathering held in February 2007 in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany, before the final stage, a massive Assembly of 2,500 delegates, is held in Sibiu, Romania, in September 2007.