Spirituality of Solidarity and Resistance

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(summary and photo gallery of the 2000 October Meeting in Pécs, Hungary)

Programme Guidelines We are groups, initiatives, communities and persons from all over Europe. We come from different countries and we are belonging to different nations. We have different experiences in culture, religion and history. What we have in common is that we are struggling for justice in our own area, that we try to give voice to those who have no voice. In this purpose, we feel related - across the borders of confession, religion, nations or gender.

We are calling "spiritiuality" what gives strength, sense and an aim to our struggle. Within this programme we want to take the time to reflect this dimension. We want to learn from one another, to share the source of our beliefs and to strengthen one another. By telling our stories, by coming together, working and celebrating together, we shall learn what makes our lives precious. We want to come nearer to one another to see what is common and what is different: we want to learn and to acknowledge the richness of our differences.

At the same time, we want to point out the dogmas in our societies which lead to exclusion and individualism, to death and supression, and to make clear the results.

If we open ourselves and speak about the sources of our lives in solidarity and resistance that will give us strength for our further engagement. If we succeed in coming nearer to one another, we take concrete responsibility for one another. We do this together and even over great distances. In this way, our commitment will grow for networking at other "political" levels.

Spiritiuality - as we understand - it is deeply rooted in the personality of each single woman or man. Therefore we are looking for a personal approach to share our experiences, but not for an individualistic one.

Spiritiuality does not exist whitout every persons own praxis and compassion. Our decision to struggle in a certain place, our motivation to take a side, is a central point.

As a representative and delegate of our group, our community, or our network, each woman and each man shall contribute on an equal level as a specialist and a concerned person in her or his own case. Here we want to respect the differences of origin, education, culture, gender and abilities.

  • We confirm that we do realise the guidelines of KAIROS EUROPE about the participation of women.

  • Our initiative wants to strengthen the links between, the programmes of KAIROS EUROPE, therefore we invite the representatives of all the programmes.

  • Folloing the principles of KAIROS EUROPE, we try to invite especially those who until no have only limited possibility to take part in similar activities and meetings: women, humble people, participants from Estern and South Europe.

    • Each participating group is responsible for the advancing of the process. The annual meetings shall be focal points, sources of strength and of an impetus to visit other groups, to live together, to reflect about themes, to pray and to work together. The coordination group offers a framework and thematic impulse for this.

    We are no theological research project, but we invite theologians to join our exchange to carry it further and to accompany it with their means. We are happy to see results of their reflection as an impulse for us.

    The measure for our work is:

  • In how far does it serve to create space for coming together, recollection, and exchange?

  • Can every participant bring, whatever is important for her and for him?

  • Does this exchange help to come to better understanding?

  • Does it strengthen our motivation and our network for justice?

     

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    The Coordination Group of the KAIROS EUROPE Programme Spiritiuality of Solidarity and Resistance. August 1995.

    Melinda Kõszegi Contact:
    Melinda Kõszegi
    Hungary 7691 Pécs, Mázsaház u. 24.
    Phone: 36/ 72/ 237 -258
    Fax: 36/72/ 332 -256
    E-mail: koszegi@clinics.pote.hu