Netherlands, April 4th 2003

Europeans draw closer  together

Sixty national representatives of Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) in 21 European nations came together in Hungary, in the end of March 2003. According to the national reports this renewal is in very different stages of development. Growing strong in countries like Croatia, Ukraine and Rumania. Great numbers in Italy and Poland - up to 200.000 participants in the national meetings in Czestochowa -, stable in many nations. But also decreasing numbers of involved people in countries where the Catholic Church struggles with decreasing church-participation.

For the first time the national committees were asked also to sent a representative of their youth-work. They prepared in Hungary new ways of collaboration and will elect within a year their own representative in the European committee.

Participants came from Ireland, England, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and The Netherlands. ICCRS is recognised by the Vatican where it has her international office.

The main question for the national representatives was characteristic for this renewal: What is the Lord our God telling us today, in the present situation of Europe? Listen, pray and discern was the method that resulted in drawing some conclusions together. The main themes out of this were: reconciliation between nations and people, love for the Lord and each other and intercession for Europe. The decision was made to pray in all nations - united in the Spirit - during the nine days before Pentecost. This would have three specific intentions: renewal of the Church in Europe, unity among all Christians in Europe and renewal of the European society. New initiatives in reconciliation will be in the first place between neighbouring countries and by a united prayer for forgiveness for the sins of the continent. During the last European CCR Gathering for leaders and intercessors - September 2002 in Poland - a visit to Auschwitz had a great impact on the 640 participants from all over Europe.

The representatives chose four members for the new European Committee. Pierre Chieux (France) and Laszlo Gorove (Hungary) were elected, Kim Kollins (Germany) and Kees Slijkerman (the Netherlands) were re-elected. They form the new European Subcommittee of the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS), together with the European members of the world-wide

ICCRS-council: Matteo Calisi (Italy), Michelle Moran (England), fr. Michael Slavik (Czech Republic) and Charles Whithehead (England). The new committee chose Michelle Moran as new chairperson and Pierre Chieux as vice-chairperson. Kees Slijkerman will continue as secretary and became also treasurer.

More information can be obtained from the European web site: http://www.isidordata.se/akks/europe,  keesslij@ision.nl , or www.iccrs.org.

[pictures from the meeting]