(Opening speech for the ‘Reconquista conference 2025’ in Wittenberg, Germany, by Jorge Monsalve)

Brothers and sisters,

It is indeed a privilege to gather in this place. Let us remember how the Word of the Cross was once so valiantly and mercifully proclaimed in this city, transforming the lives of many generations. The Reformers were filled with power from above and risked their lives to proclaim the beauty of the Gospel, despite the abuses of unworthy ministers. Then the Word of God did the rest.

In later generations a tragic revolt took place. Instead of remaining bound to the Word of God, some of our teachers broke free from it. The supernatural witness of the Holy Spirit seemed absurd to the modern man, so it was replaced by a different gospel: a gospel without the supernatural, a dead gospel. This revolt caused confusion at first, then the rejection of the Creeds, the emptying of our parishes, the defrocking of our bravest preachers, and more recently even blasphemy, as God was called a proud sinner in the Church Congress.

To this we respond -And I’ll say this purposely in German-

Gott ist Liebe! (God is love!)
Liebe, die Fleisch angenommen hat, (Love that took on flesh)
Die unsere Sünde getragen hat, (Love that carried our sin)
Und die die Lebenden und die Toten richten wird. (and that will judge the living and the dead)

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty.

Just as 500 years ago, we declare again: Our conscience is bound to the Word of God. There is no other Gospel. The Word of the Cross has always been foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

May our gathering be an echo of the holy protest that took place back then. May the Lord Almighty hear our prayers and grant us repentance as we listen to him. May our  Churches be healed with the words of Christ. And may this echo have a worldwide resonance to inspire many Christians to be courageous witnesses.

Let us stand up and confess our faith together.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.