Located in the European quarter of Brussels, the Chapel for Europe has become a unique place of prayer, dialogue, hospitality, and encounter at the crossroads of cultures, languages, and institutions. In a city shaped by political decision-making and marked by constant international movement, the Chapel seeks to offer a spiritual home open to Europeans from many backgrounds, as well as to all those searching for meaning, silence, and community. Entrusted to the Society of Jesus, its mission reflects an Ignatian vision of accompaniment, reconciliation, and service in the public sphere.

In this context, we spoke with Bernd Günther SJ, director of the Chapel for Europe and superior of Saint Benedict Community, the residence of the European Jesuits in Brussels. He reflects on the mission of the Chapel in today’s European context, the challenges of building Christian community in an international environment, and the importance of creating spaces where spirituality, culture, and dialogue can meet.

1 – To begin, could you tell us a bit about your personal background and your journey into the Society of Jesus, and eventually to Brussels?

I am Bernd Günther sj, a German Jesuit. And I am since 2023 in Brussels at the Chapel for Europe. I have served in different ways as a Jesuit. After my regency in the youth apostolate I got my first mission as priest working for refugees. In the 90s we were just building up the first German office of the JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) in Berlin. After my tertianship in Chile I joined the mission office in Nürnberg. We had the contact and did the fundraising for Jesuit projects worldwide, especially in Africa and Asia. Later the provincial asked me to become his socius. But finally I was happy to get out of more administrative jobs into a pastoral assignment. I was for 10 years in charge of the Jesuit parish St. Ignatius in Frankfurt and I loved it. These quite divers experiences made me curious to accept the mission to Brussels to the Chapel for Europe. 

2 – Many of our readers may not be familiar with the concept of the Chapel for Europe or with its role within Brussels’ pastoral, political, and cultural landscape. How would you describe its mission today?

The Chapel is a small church in the middle of the European Quarter in Brussels. It is a visible sign of the presence of Christian faith in this Europe of today, not only as a historical root, but as a living community of believers. It is a place of prayer and sharing, of reflection and dialogue. Its mission is the pastoral and spiritual care for those European who are living and working in the offices around the Chapel. A general reflection of the values and perspectives of the European Union encourages in difficult times.  “Europe needs a soul”, this word of former EU commission president Jacques Delors is an inspiration for the Chapel. And at the Chapel this goes always in an ecumenical cooperation and by promoting interreligious dialogue. 

3 – The Chapel for Europe is, ultimately, an apostolic work of the Archdiocese of Brussels-Malines. How do you see the Jesuit identity of the Chapel and how does it play out in this experience of collaboration with the diocesan church in Brussels?

The Chapel is an initiative of lay people and the Jesuits. It was founded 25 years ago when high ranking civil servants together with Belgian Jesuits and Belgian lay persons put everything into motion to save a small, already existing but derelict Chapel and to transform it into a vibrant place of worship, reflection and dialogue within the newly restructures European Quarters of Brussels. Until today the Chapel is an ecclesial association of lay people together with the Jesuits. The archdiocese is very cooperative and considers it part of their pastoral presence towards the big European community in Brussels.

4 – The Chapel for Europe had a very clear ecumenical purpose from its very beginning. Tell us something more about this essential ecumenical feature of the Chapel and how Ignatian spirituality can contribute to it.

If we are working for a united Europe here in Brussels, the churches have to work on their own unity. Catholic, protestant, anglican , orthodox , evangelical churches from all over Europe have their representation and communities in Brussels. The Chapel for Europe is a place where many can come together. Every week we have an ecumenical Prayer Lunch with prayers from different denominations. Cooperating has become a normality. The main goal is to be a common visible Christian presence and to inspire the many Europeans here to live and work according to their faith.

5 – In the apostolic ecosystem of the Society of Jesus in Brussels, particularly with those working in European institutions, the Chapel is clearly a purely pastoral work oriented toward explicit evangelization. It is, in this sense, the complement to other works like JESC (Jesuit European Social Centre) or JRS Europe. How do you experience the contribution of explicit evangelization – direct preaching of the Gospel – to the construction of Europe and the mission of the Society in Europe?

In the last years we were able to reach out to the generation of the young European professionals. These are mostly those who are already Christians, but are searching how to live it in an environment where faith is no longer a normality and not necessarily welcome. We have built up a small community around a Sunday evening mass and other events for a mutual support. Through an Alpha course we reach out to those that are not yet sure about their faith. Also we have from time to time a preparation for an adult baptism. The retreat in daily life helps to develop in greater depth the personal spiritual life. We hope that also in the next generation there will a good group of Christians to continue to bring the Gospel and its values into the Europe of tomorrow.

6 – In the Chapel, you are very much  in contact with many public servants in the European Union and people working closely within that important political milieu. You should be, thus, particularly well aware of the socio-political situation in Europe. Europe is experiencing many tensions and uncertainties, from political polarization to questions surrounding identity, solidarity, and the future of the European project. How do you interpret the present situation, and how can places like the Chapel contribute constructively in such a context?

In the first place I become aware of the “hopes and joys, sorrows and fears” of the Europeans working here in Brussels. The last years have been quite challenging. Many have a much bigger work load today. War and peace, a newly difficult transatlantic relationship, the Green Deal, the stronger presence of the far right, artificial intelligence,… many big topics are to be dealt with. I admire the many civil servants who are, despite the problems, committed to the project of European unity and its values. At the Chapel we try to encourage them spiritually, and through reflection on the Christian basics of a united Europe.

7 – You have now been director of the Chapel for Europe for almost three years. Looking back on this experience, what would you describe as your greatest consolations and your greatest desolations?

I am still very much impressed by the way how people of so many different cultures and backgrounds come together to work for a common good that is beyond the interests of certain groups or nations.

The biggest problem at the Chapel is at the moment the financial situation. We are mainly depending on donations. Although we have many faithful friends and donors, we still have to struggle to keep up. We are grateful for all support.

8 – Finally, what message would you like to share with the many people living and working in the so-called “EU Bubble” in Brussels? (1 sentence)

Not only for those in the EU-bubble: It is worth working towards a united Europe that stands up for peace and freedom, human dignity, justice and our shared home. May God help us through his Spirit to bring us more together and to keep us united.