Nearly 30,000 courses are running in more than 150 countries around the world. Read what some Catholic leaders are saying in those countries about the course.

PONTIFICIUM CONSILIUM
AD CHRISTANORUM UNITATEM FOVENDAM



Greetings for the Alpha Conference in Stuttgart 20-21 May
From Walter Cardinal Kasper

‘A new century, a new millennium are opening in the light of Christ. But not everyone can see this light. Ours is the wonderful and demanding task of becoming its "reflection"…

This is a daunting task if we consider our human weakness, which so often renders us opaque and full of shadows. But it is a task which we can accomplish if we turn to the light of Christ and open ourselves to the grace which makes us a new creation’ (Novo Millennio Ineunte., 54).

With these words John Paul II encouraged us as Christians, at the beginning of the new millennium, in the face of widespread apathy and Godforsakenness among men, not to relent in the task of the new evangelisation.

The Alpha course sees itself as committed to exactly this task. Parishioners who feel that their faith has been renewed invite friends and acquaintances to a further discussion about faith. They have found the courage to tell others around them about their faith and to get them excited about it.

Alpha courses, which came originally from an Anglican background, are also opportunities to strengthen ecumenical togetherness among Christians and a joint proclamation of faith in Christ in today’s world.

For the conference that is taking place in Stuttgart during these days I wish to all participants the courage and the fervour of God’s Holy Spirit, which has been promised to us again at Pentecost, to strengthen their fellow men in faith and to call them anew to a witness for Christ in our world.

With the very best wishes and blessings

Yours
Walter Cardinal Kasper

President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

What leaders around the world are saying