On June 26, 2026, I had the opportunity to meet in Vienna with representatives of Alle Kulturen Miteinander (AKM – All Cultures Together) to discuss possible joint projects. AKM works primarily with young people, so our conversation focused mainly on this area.
For more information about AKM, got to: https://akmverein.at/.
Today, at least in Europe, we are witnessing a period of profound social change, regardless of our personal opinions, convictions or prejudices. Whether we are able to find our place in this new reality depends on us. To use a biblical expression, are we able to recognize the signs of the times? The world is changing, whether we like it or not. We can take charge of the way we live and act by remaining faithful to Christ’s call to go “into all the world” and by staying true to the spirit of St Francis, who invites us to recognize one another as brothers and sisters.
For this reason, we should respond to the invitation of young people who are seeking encounter. In this case, I am referring to a group of young Muslims from Vienna, Austria. This invitation is addressed especially to the friars involved in youth ministry in German-speaking countries. During our meeting in Vienna, we also agreed to organize a meeting in Gdańsk, Poland. If it takes place, I am ready to assist with its preparation and coordination in German.
Let us cross the barriers of division and prejudice. Let us have the courage to act where skepticism and pessimism prevail, where others see everything only in black and white—or simply in shades of grey. May the grey of our habit never be reflected in the way we serve others or conduct pastoral ministry. Beneath that grey there is light, and within that light there are all the colors of the world.
I wish all my confreres a pleasant summer and a restful break.
Friar Sławomir KLEIN
General Delegate for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue (EDI)
