EN-RE's 2025 annual Conference was held at Strasbourg from Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1 at the Centre-St-Thomas

The Conference was held in hybrid form with the presence of 8 delegates in Strasbourg and two by zoom

After an initial discussion, on the Friday afternoon, the meeting adjourned for a round table discussion on the subject For Justice and Peace in Europe today. Henk Baars, head of EN-RE's delegation to the Council of Europe, introduced the speakers:  Marc Stenger and Alphonso Zardi with François Becker as moderator.

• Marc: Many of his recommendations appear in an article by Laurent Larcher in the newspaper La Croix, dated 28 March 2025, entitled "Faced with Russia, Catholics divided on the need to prepare for war.

The vote on the European Union's 800 billion credit line is clearly an option for war in favour of European rearmament. What justifies this option?

Before asking the question of a just peace, let us ask the question of a just war. The concept of a just war is only acceptable as a last resort, after all non-violent solutions have been explored.

Another question is that of sanctions, which are necessary in the context of the unjust and threatening exercise of power.

These sanctions, which are tolerable in a crisis context, must not sidestep the long-term challenge of a complete transformation of the framework of international relations. This opens the way to promoting a just peace

• Alfonso: how can we be peacemakers?

A first principle: reject hatred: ‘you shall not have my hatred’!

A second principle: ‘let's talk’ prioritise dialogue.

In everyday life: renounce aggression, do not engage in relationships or human interactions based on violence. Welcoming refugees following wars.

Political action: ‘ask questions’:

what else could the money spent on war be used for?

why are we helping Ukraine?

what should we think of pacifism?

The role of the Church, gestures of peace, praying for peace.

• Testimony of François Becker:

Nelson Mandela is known for having implemented a vast reconciliation plan in South Africa between two populations, one actively involved in apartheid policies and the other victims of racism and exclusion. Several countries and organisations have embarked on a similar process. This is the case of Basque Christians who are mobilising for a process of reconciliation after years of violence and even crimes in the service of nationalist causes.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

On Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1, the review of delegate reports followed, including those of Marleen Wijeweld and Ricardo Gayol who were unable to be present either presentially or by zoom. See delegates at work during the working sessions on Saturday and Sunday (22, 24, 30, 31, 32, 33)

Einführung von Hugo Charles Castelli Eyre:

Seit 1981 findet in Madrid jedes Jahr am Ende der Sommerpause in der ersten oder zweiten Septemberwoche ein Kongress für säkulare Theologie statt, der von der Vereinigung Juan XXIII (Spanien) von Theologinnen und Theologen organisiert wird, die durch die vom Zweiten Vatikanischen Konzil und der Befreiungstheologie geförderten Reformen angeregt wurden. Vatikanischen Konzils und der Befreiungstheologie aufgewühlt waren. Jahrelang wurden diese Kongresse im Auditorium der spanischen Gewerkschaft Comisiones Obreras abgehalten, da die Bischöfe von Madrid es ablehnten, diese Kongresse in Gebäuden katholischer Orden abzuhalten.

Im ersten Jahr der Pandemie fand der jährliche Theologiekongress nicht statt, aber seither werden alle Kongresse über das Internet abgehalten.

Introduction

Introduction par Hugo Charles Castelli Eyre:

Chaque année à Madrid, depuis 1981, à la fin des vacances d'été, se tient la première ou la deuxième semaine de septembre un congrès de théologie laïque, organisé par l'association Juan XXIII (espagnole) de théologiennes et théologiens, fortement encouragés par les réformes promues par le Concile Vatican II et la Théologie de la Libération. Pendant beaucoup d'années, ces congrès étaient présentiels et se tenaient dans l'auditorium du syndicat espagnol Comisiones Obreras en raison du refus des évêques de Madrid d'autoriser la tenue de ces congrès dans des bâtiments appartenant à des ordres religieux catholiques.

Dans la première année de la pandémie, le congrès annuel de théologie n'a pas eu lieu, mais depuis lors, tous les congrès se déroulent sur Internet.

CONFERENCE OF INGOs 7-9 April 

Henk has sent his report in English, French, Dutch, German and Spanish.  I can upload each report separately. Alternatively, you can read the report in your own language providing you are using an Android or similar or a laptop with 64 bytes+. I have just read the Spanish translation on my Android and it looks perfect.  You need to click on https://en-re.eu/index.php/latest-news and then scroll down until you find the article you want.

Day 1

It's possible to travel by train from Paris to Strasbourg without having to change trains. You arrive right on time and there is time for a beautiful ecumenical celebration in the centre of the city. Everything is easy to follow. If you know the Gospel that has been read, you can fill in a lot of the details, even though everything is in French. It's strange that you can almost feel what it is about.

Then on the way to the Palais to obtain a photo badge for admission. But European bureaucracy is not easy. It will all come in time.

El 43 Congreso de Teología: Guerra y Paz: ¿Hay salida a la vista?

Introducción por Hugo Charles Castelli Eyre:

Todos los años, desde 1981, se celebra en Madrid, al final de las vacaciones de verano, un congreso de teología laica en la primera o segunda semana de septiembre, organizado por la Asociación Juan XXIII de Teólogas y Teólogos, impulsada por las reformas promovidas por el Concilio Vaticano II y la Teología de la Liberación. Durante años, estos congresos eran presenciales y se celebraban en el auditorio del sindicato español Comisiones Obreras, debido a la negativa de los obispos de Madrid a que estos congresos tuvieran lugar en edificios pertenecientes a órdenes religiosas católicas.

En el primer año de la pandemia no se celebró el congreso anual de teología, pero desde entonces

Introduction by Hugo Charles Castelli Eyre:

Every year in Madrid, since 1981, at the end of the Summer break, a secular theology congress is held in the first or second week of september, organised by the Juan XXIII (Spanish) association of male and female theologians, who were greatly encouraged by the reforms promoted by the 2nd Vatican Council and Liberation Theology. For years, these congresses were presential and were held in the auditorium of the Spanish trades union Comisiones Obreras owing to the refusal by the bishops of Madrid to allow these secular congresses to take place in buildings belonging to catholic religious orders.

In the first year of the pandemic, the annual theology congress did not take place but since then

PLATFORM OF CONGOLESE WOMEN IN SPAIN PMCOE Madrid 8 February 2025

(This statement is supported by EN-RE member group REDES CRISTIANAS)

Kindly click on https://chng.it/Yw5MNVFc4y to read the original Spanish and French texts and vote in favour of the Appeal

An Appeal to the International Community in view of the escalation of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

*It is vital to generate diplomatic and political efforts to seek peaceful solutions and build a peaceful future in the region.

*Indifference and silence will only perpetuate this tragedy.

1. It is with deep concern and sadness that we write to you about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The conflict in this country has led to one of the most forgotten and silenced genocides in our recent history, and we believe it is your duty as an international community to raise your voices and put an end to this humanitarian tragedy that is taking the lives of millions of people.

2. The genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo has caused

The European Network Church on the Move is a spontaneous convergence of organizations – associations, communities, informal groups and networks – of European Christians who are in majority Catholic, sharing(1) the vision of a Church prophetic, ecumenical, liberating, supporting, loving, which neither excludes nor discriminates and which follows on the steps of Jesus the liberator and (2) the will to work, respecting cultural and religious diversity, for peace, justice, freedom, human rights and democracy, including in the Catholic Church (Cf Declaration of rights and freedoms in the Catholic Church, European Network 1994)........(d) The European Network declares itself an integral part of the Catholic Church enjoying the freedom of association under the law of the Catholic Church (Canon 215) (Constitution Preamble b and d)

Objectives of EN-RE :

Les Cités Interculturelles (CIC), qui sont-elles ?  (Rapport écrit par Fernand JEHL pour le Comité des questions migratoires de la Conférence des OING du Conseil de l'Europe)

Combien sont-elles : On compte 159 Cités interculturelles, au total - 131sont implantées dans un pays membre du Conseil de l’Europe.

Une stratégie interculturelle est un document écrit qui énonce les grands objectifs de la politique d’intégration interculturelle de la ville, c’est-à-dire pour trois à cinq années. Elle décrit les mesures prévues dans le cadre du programme, les dispositions institutionnelles, les fonds et autres ressources qui seront nécessaires et prévoit des mécanismes de suivi et d’évaluation.

La cité interculturelle a une population diversifiée, composée de personnes qui diffèrent par la nationalité, l’origine, la langue ou les croyances. Grace aux politiques interculturelles, la plupart des habitant-e-s considèrent la diversité non comme un problème, mais

Backlash, backlash

Henk Baars, head of delegation European Network Church on the Move

Just about every social, democratic and human rights area in Europe is experiencing a backlash in effort and social security. It could be heard in all the lectures and strategy papers on the many topics that were reviewed at the semi-annual meeting (14-17 October 2024) of NGOs with participation status with the Council of Europe. We too have these through our membership of the Network Church on the Move.

Yours truly was there and was by no means inspired by everything, but two things stood out for me.