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The 2003 Rome World Gathering of Interchurch Families, prepared by four language groups working together, brought to the Mondo Migliore Centre at Rocca di Papa some 230 adults from 11 countries and three continents. With them came 100 or so children and young people, whose participation was an important part of the Gathering, and included an all-night vigil of prayer for unity organised by the young people. The rich fare included worship and discussion groups, addresses and informal exchanges, a visit to Castel Gandolfo for the Angelus – with a special welcome for interchurch families from Pope John Paul II – the visit of a representative group to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (and for English-speakers a visit to the Anglican Centre in Rome for tea).
Some of the texts of the Gathering are printed here, and more can be found on the English-speaking interchurch families world web-site (see back cover), along with the Country Reports prepared for Rome, and various accounts of the Gathering. The co-ordinators of the four language groups did a splendid job, and special gratitude goes to Andrea Lari from northern Italy, and for the English-speaking associations, to Melanie Finch from England. The Preproma committee transformed itself into a Postroma committee on the final afternoon, and gave some thought to the co-ordinating links that will be needed between the various groups and associations if the work of the Rome Gathering is to be carried forward.
Rome 2003 is an outstanding landmark in the history of the interchurch family movement. The Message of Cardinal Kasper was an encouraging one. Interchurch families left Rome re-invigorated, with renewed courage to face the particular difficulties of our situation, but above all with intense joy and thanksgiving for our particular vocation: united in baptism and marriage; called to a common life in the Church for the reconciliation of our churches.
Ruth Reardon
Vol 12, # 1, 2004, P 1
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