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There are now at least six English parishes / teams which are twinned with Italian Parishes, they try to visit each other regularly and maintain communication via e-mail and letters at other times. The very real friendships that have grown as a part of these links are a key foundation to this ecumenical project.

Discussion points so far

These key points have emerged from our discussions to date:

• The launch event in 1999. This was multilateral, not bilateral. Each individual ecumenical link is joined with all the others, and is not just a series of pairs of links.
• The importance of links between parishes. Following the idea of the "ecumenism of the people", it is crucial that ordinary Christian communities of different denominations live this unity in Christ - for example through prayer, shared action and friendship.
• The role of the church in urban growth. The Italians have considerable experience of planning proactively for urban growth. In general, a purpose-built church and parish centre is built before the new housing estate has been started. This experience could be useful to the Diocese of St Albans as it responds to major housing developments in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
• Social Action. The Italians have a strong tradition of social action. As part of this ecumenical project, they provide seaside holidays for Ukrainian children from their link parish near Chernobyl. They are also actively concerned with the work of reconciliation and rebuilding in Bosnia and Kossovo. Through them, the Anglicans could play a role in this work. Through the Anglicans the Italians could have a stake in other political issues. Already, the Italians and the English co-ordinate joint lobbying of Brussels on issues.
• The richness of different experiences. It should not be felt that we have to give and receive the same things from this ecumenical experience. Rather, the fact that we are of different nationalities and different denominations means that we can all offer and gain different things. For instance, this is the Italians' first experience of working with Christians of various confessions, while the English Anglicans work widely with a rage of faith communities. However, the Italians' are part of an international church at the centre of Europe, which encourages us to think on a more global level.

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