I found myself at the assembly of the European Churches, 150 Churches from over 30 countries in Lyon for a week. Working on a vision for the future. I was curious about their contribution to European society. I talked to bishops, clergyman and believers from all over Europe. Greek, Finnish, Latvian and Italian people all of them with their heart at the right place, sharing the same intention. Bringing light into Europe and addressing the question in which society we want to live in. On stage I heard beautiful speeches and shared intentions from all different church leaders. True collaboration came from the talks in the corridors where all denominations met and laughed, did networking and business together. All of them creating a feeling of togetherness, a European feeling, building on an even Greater Place to Live.
Religion seems very powerful to join forces, to bind together from London to Tbilisi, from Lisbon to Istanbul. Keeping ones own identity but working together, by a shared vision. Marvelous! Neverthless when it comes to structures, religion can also divide. All this potential is put on hold by hierarchical structures. Not all but some on top are holding the brake, which is enough to deaccelerate. From underneath humans shared their deepest wishes, making them alive in concrete projects.
The relationships which are made in the corridors are hopefully of longer lasting effort than the amandments taken. As the archbishop of Albania said to me, ’some churches are yearning for love’. And the Finnish delegates: ‘We have to celebrate the joy of life’. Thats exactly what the Italians did at the last dinner, celebrating live by chanting, toasting and laughing, changing the stiff dining hall into a cosy chaos.

54 Responses to “the congress”