This year’s meeting of the Redemptorist Conference of Europe took place in Albania from 7 to 11 October. During the Assembly, the new Coordinator for our European Conference, Fr. Piotr Chyła CSsR, was elected, and with his two Consultors – Fr. Lorenzo Gasparro CSsR (Southern Europe Province, Naples region) and Fr. Martin Leitgöb CSsR (Vienna-Munich Province) they created the new Council of the Conference.
From 7 to 11 October 2024, representatives of all the European Redemptorist provinces arrived in Albania, and more precisely in Durres, a large group of brothers, including the vicar general, the two CRE councillors, the provincial superiors, the provincial vocalists, the representatives of the brothers, two brothers of the community in Albania. In addition to them, a moderator, two representatives of the Redemptorist lay associates, two notaries, and two translators contributed to the CRE Assembly. 36 participants spent five days together working, talking, fraternizing, and sharing, with the common intent of consolidating and strengthening the bonds of collaboration between the European Units and continuing the common path of reconfiguration.
The beautiful climate of the Assembly was filled with sadness over the recent passing of the late Father Johannes Römelt, the current coordinator of the CRE but, above all, a brother appreciated by all for his abilities and tireless promoter of a renewed communion between the European Units. Father Johannes was remembered several times, in prayer as well as during the exchange in the hall, as an example for all of fruitful work in the service of a renewed communion between the Redemptorists of Europe. In fact, one of the objectives of the CRE Assembly was to choose and present to the General Government a list of three names to take his place as Coordinator. Among the names proposed, the first was that of Father Piotr Chyła, former CRE councillor, promptly appointed by the General Government for this important role. Father Lorenzo Gasparro, representative of Southern Europe, was chosen as councillor in his place.
Among other topics of discussion at the CRE Assembly in Albania, there was an evaluation of the path of reconfiguration of the CRE in various areas, an evaluation of the CRE Action Plan, the establishment of a legal commission for the modification of the CRE Statutes, some decisions regarding the next Mid-Sexennium meeting, a specific training regarding the protection of minors. The exchange in the hall was very fruitful and fraternal, as was the atmosphere that was breathed also in the moments of prayer and leisure. The meeting is always enriching, allowing us to start again with renewed enthusiasm and consolidated fraternal relationships in view of the common mission of announcing the Good News in our Europe.
Among the enriching moments of these days, there was an interesting visit to Tirana (with an immersion in its troubled recent history), the meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio and, above all, the beautiful Eucharistic celebration with the community of Kamez, the seat of the Redemptorist Parish in Albania and the common mission of the Redemptorists of Europe. The simplicity of these people, the joy of welcoming such a large number of Redemptorists for the first time, and the songs and dances offered at the end of the celebration left a moving memory in all the participants of the Assembly. One of its objectives, moreover, was precisely to make this wonderful reality known, hoping – it is not a secret – in a generous and active collaboration of all the Units for a strengthening of our Albanian presence.
The Assembly, in addition to having fulfilled the expected objectives, was without a doubt an important stage in the journey of the Configuration of the European Units. Before new structures and norms, the Configuration is a renewed communion between the European brothers that moments like these help to build. We left with a “see you soon” at the next Mid-Sexennium meeting, which, as proposed in the Assembly, will most likely take place in Gars am Inn.
Fr. Lorenzo Gasparro, CSsR.
