HTB Vicar Nicky Gumbel was a principal speaker at the Roman Catholic Church's International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin last night.

The Congress, which takes place every four years, attracts around 20,000 Catholics from all over the world, including hundreds of cardinals, archbishops and bishops.

Nicky was one of the few non-Catholics to be invited to address the Congress. He was invited to speak on the subject of 'Communion in Our Common Baptism' and he spoke passionately of the importance of Christian unity.

He also spoke about the growth of the Alpha course in the Catholic Church. It is now running in Catholic churches in more than 65 countries and is growing fast in South America.

Alpha was strongly represented at the Congress, with a stand at the main exhibition (pictured). A mini-Alpha course was also held during the course of the Congress to give delegates a taste of what is involved.