Gerhard Pross (YMCA Esslingen, Germany) awarded for Together for Europe (TfE)
Tonadico is a town in northern Italy, close to the border with Austria and a popular tourist destination for those who love winter skiing or enjoy the mountains in summer. It is a small corner of Europe, yet at the same time, as is true for many other small towns across the Old Continent, it encompasses all of Europe through its history and cultural heritage.
The Pact
It is also known as the “City of the Pact” because it was right there, on 16th July, 1949, that the Focolare Movement developed when Chiara Lubich and Igino Giordani made a pact. In it, they decided to live mutual love to the point of entrusting the future of the newly born Movement to Jesus among them (Mt 18:20). Many experiences that spread throughout the world sprang from that pact, one of which is TfE.
Together for Europe
When Chiara Lubich gave impetus to TfE in 1999, she met other key figures from European Christian communities and associations. Among them was Gerhard Pross (YMCA, Esslingen, Germany), who in the following years moderated the TfE network.
The Award
On July 16, during the “Tonadico – City of the Pact” event, Gerhard Pross was presented with an award for having witnessed, together with others, through valuable and tireless work, unity among Christians in service of the common good. In a festive atmosphere enriched by intellectual and artistic contributions, Gerhard Pross gave a public interview in which he revisited key stages of his spiritual journey and significant milestones in the development of TfE.
You canwatchthe full event on thefocolaritalia YouTube channel.
Alberto Lo Presti
TOGETHER FOR EUROPE – INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Press officer: Beatriz Lauenroth | beatriz.lauenroth@together4europe.org