Lampedusa. First ever ecumenical celebration on the isle for the Week of Prayer

Il monumento "Porta di Lampedusa, Porta d'Europa” di Mimmo Paladino

Rome (NEV), January 21st, 2017 – “For the first time, we are here tonight on the isle of Lampedusa to celebrate together the opening of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”, said Marta Bernardini, a Waldensian and operator of the Mediterranean Hope (MH) project of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), speaking on January 18th from the pulpit of San Gerlando, Lampedusa’s Catholic church. “To be here in Lampedusa for this occasion has a great meaning since we are believers of many confessions united in prayer. Let me add, that this is an important year for many Protestant churches because of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation”. A moving and intense moment of reflection followed over the theme chosen for this year’s Week “The love of Christ compels us towards reconciliation”, from the Second letter to the Corinthians (5:14-20). A common prayer was addressed to all those ecumenical projects that are dedicated to the least of our time, in the first place the “humanitarian corridors” pilot-project,

Lampedusa, 18th January 2017, Marta Bernardini speaking in the San Gerlando church.

that FCEI promotes as part of MH, along with the Waldensian Board and the Community of Sant’Egidio.

After the celebration don Carmelo La Magra, priest of the Catholic parish, declared to NEV Agency: “It was beautiful to live in prayer and in spiritual sharing the mutual welcoming we try to exercise everyday here in Lampedusa”.