200 experts tackle polarization

Renovabis, the German Catholic Church's aid organization, held its 30th Congress in Freising from September 16 to 18, bringing together over 200 experts and delegates from 26 countries to address fragmentation, digital echo chambers, and institutional distrust.

Unity means staying together despite disagreement

The congress centered on a simple truth: true cohesion is not the absence of disagreement, but the ability to remain united despite differences. This principle became the foundation for all discussions about rebuilding fragmented societies.

“True cohesion does not mean the absence of disagreement, but rather the ability to remain united despite differences.”

Cardinal Grech calls for open dialogue

Cardinal Mario Grech emphasized that synodality, the principle of sitting together and listening to one another, is the antidote to polarization. He described it as a tool for building concrete bridges among Christians and within European civil society.

“For me, synodality is the antidote to polarization.”

Democracy needs healthy conflict

Croatian theologian Ana Raffai warned that democracy requires a healthy culture of conflict that turns differences into critical engagement rather than tribal withdrawal. Slovak sociologist Hugo Gloss cautioned against retreating into self-referential value bubbles.

Cohesion must come from society

Volker Ullrich, head of the Federal Agency for Civic Education, stressed that politics cannot impose social cohesion from above. It must emerge from people who believe in solidarity and commitment to others.

Kreisau Foundation wins dialogue award

The Freising Dialogue Award went to the Kreisau Foundation for European Understanding, a Polish organization founded in 1990 that promotes German-Polish exchanges and reaches 16,000 young people annually. Cardinal Marx called it a model for democracy's future.

Cardinal Marx warns against nationalism

Cardinal Reinhard Marx declared that nationalism is a fundamental evil the Church must oppose. He emphasized that Europe's unity is a historic project of reconciliation requiring sustained effort and that no nation is superior to another.

“Nationalism is a fundamental evil that we must oppose.”

Cohesion starts with individual action

Renovabis director Father Thomas Schwartz emphasized that responsibility for social cohesion cannot be delegated to politicians or academics alone. It requires daily individual commitment to listening and building bridges.

“It begins with each of us. The way we listen, how we deal with differing positions, how we take responsibility and build bridges is the mandate we take home from this congress.”

Next congress focuses on mental health

Renovabis will hold its next congress in Berlin from September 22 to 24, 2027, focusing on psychological support and mental health in Eastern Europe affected by war. The theme addresses loneliness, addiction, war trauma, and social upheaval.