Europe in Practice

How did relations among the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht develop in Europe after the Second World War? This study draws on church sources as a means of exploring European integration at the level of civil society, while at the same time demonstrating the value of interdisciplinary perspectives for the study of church history.

The study focuses in particular on contacts with Czechoslovakia and on international women’s and youth activities. European networking took place at every level of church life. The topics and concerns addressed in these exchanges ranged from ecumenical issues, the self-understanding of the Union of Utrecht, and the role of women in pastoral ministry to skiing in the Alps and sailing on the IJsselmeer.

Underlying these diverse forms of exchange was the conviction that the churches were called to cooperate and that such cooperation could contribute to peace in Europe and throughout the world.

The study has been published as a German-language monograph.