![Two successors meet face to face]()
Apr 12, 2010 | Focolari nel Mondo, Senza categoria
He was waiting for her at the lift and as soon as she arrived she was greeted with great warmth and affection by Mons Julian Carròn at the Sacred Heart Institute in the Lambrate area of Milan. It was in the church of this institute that the mortuary chapel for Don Luigi Giussani was prepared after his death on 22 February 2005.
Called to Milan by the founder in September 2004, the Spanish priest, who had just turned 60, was appointed President by the Central Diaconate of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation on 19 March 2005. On 8 March 2008 his appointment was confirmed for a further six years.
They hadn’t seen each other since October 2008, when they had both been invited by Benedict XVI to participate at the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God. The President of the Focolare was in Milan for the Ambrosian celebration of the second anniversary of the death of Chiara Lubich, and wanted to meet with the leader of CL. At the end of the meeting they were happy to answer the same questions.
INTERVIEW: A meeting between presidents of movements is always important. What was the special significance of today’s meeting?
CARRÒN: ‘It’s great to have the opportunity to acknowledge that the thing that unites us more than anything else is gratitude for our faith, for our charisms that make us live much more intensely, and for the companionship we give each other in living our own charism in order to reach fulfilment in life. In this way, each one living according to the way the Lord has called us, we can make our particular contribution to serving the church.’
VOCE: ‘There was a special experience of communion between our charisms today. That same communion that united Chiara and Don Giussani and goes back to that historic meeting of movements convened by John Paul II in Rome in 1998. That meeting gave us great joy because it showed two charisms that were different but both working to build communion in the Church at all levels. To acknowledge this together and to rejoice in the works of the other is very important. Today more than ever.’
Your presidency has a unique and historic characteristic: you are the first successors of your respective founders. Have you felt at all crushed by the legacy you have been left?
CARRÒN: ‘ I am more and more aware that the work is somebody else’s. I try very simply to serve this work in the best way possible with my characteristics, which are different to Don Giussani’s.’
VOCE: ‘The work is God’s work, and in order to build the Focolare Movement God used a unique creature, Chiara. Though she has now left this work behind God continues to take it ahead through the inspiration we continue to receive from her through her spirituality, her writings, the example of her life, just as Mons Carròn can say about Don Giussani. The work of God is entrusted to us in this moment, but – as we were just saying – it is God who has entrusted it to us and we try to carry out this role as the first successors as best we can.’
How do you cope with the inevitable comparisons that are made with your own founders that can happen even within your own movements?
CARRÒN: ‘There can be no comparison, because the grace which Don Giussani and Chiara had was theirs alone. We are ‘graced’ and therefore thankful to be able to participate in a grace that has generated us as well. So, in the measure in which we live the desire to be constantly generated, we can collaborate with the continuity of our respective charisms.’
VOCE: ‘It is a delicate moment, because we know that we shouldn’t make comparisons. Others may do so but they are comparisons which are not real; because one is the founder, someone who has been given a charism by God, and the others are followers who take ahead what the charism has brought to life, always thankful to the gift of God of which they are also children.’
What are the risks for a movement after the death of its founder?
VOCE: ‘I see a double risk. One is to remain entrenched in something which was necessarily linked to the period of foundation without facing the different situation of humanity, the new challenges, or to try to respond with Chiara to these challenges but in a way not in keeping with history: on the other hand the desire for change which we all have – which is a desire for life – could risk looking at the past as something that should be archived. In this sense the period of the post-founder generation is particularly critical, because it has to witness that we can’t have something new without continuity, that the changes must include and express all the past, of which we are children.’
CARRÒN: ‘Don Giussani used to say: ‘We are often linked to a “how” but not a “what”.’ Obviously each one met the charism through a “how”. Through people, faces, situations. But because of the historic nature of Christianity this “how” has to change. The “how” changes but not the “what”, not the content of what we have met.’
In what way is the Focolare experience particularly relevant to people of our day?
VOCE: ‘Our modern world is so fragmented and disjointed, contacts are countless, and the means of communications allow previously unimaginable possibilities of linking up with others. Yet these contacts often become ever more meaningless, partial and fleeting. This is contrary to what the human heart actually needs which is to feel linked to other hearts. I think that the witness of reciprocal love, of communion, that Christians are able to give is what can give back meaning to the people around us, can help us perceive the beauty of these bonds, which can become lasting and lead to real relationships.’
Yet how?
VOCE: ‘What is needed is supernatural love, which is capable of accepting the other person as he or she is, of not expecting anything, of going beyond thousands of distinctions and differences which mankind displays. I believe that in this sense the movements, precisely because they operate in close contact with all kinds of people in the world, bring such a witness and give back hope. Hope is what mankind needs most today. It is not irrelevant that the Pope has written an encyclical on hope. It seems to me that the movements can be a prophetic sign of hope – each one with its own charism and in communion with the other charisms.
What makes CL’s proposal attractive today?
CARRÒN: ‘More and more we are facing a situation where human nature is diminished – in fact they speak of an educational emergency – in which the obstacles to a human person and his creativity, his desire for learning and developing, are being multiplied. In this context Don Giussani invites us to appeal to what is most genuine in the human person – the heart, the life experience – which will be more and more crucial because, regrettably, as we can see, the tradition of the Church is waning. Therefore we have to appeal to that which no power can take away from a human being, the desire for happiness, the need for beauty and justice.’
So what do you aim for?
CARRÒN: ‘The real challenge that faces us today is that of living our Christian experience in such an appealing way that the hearts of others may be struck and may recognize in that attraction the offer of the possibility of living life more intensely and for making the Christian faith more rational.’
Paolo Lòriga (translated from Città Nuova, Year LIV, n.7, 10 April 2010)
Apr 8, 2010 | Focolari nel Mondo, Senza categoria
«Una signora, nervosamente, continuava a girarsi indietro. Una, due, tre, dieci volte al giorno. Gli altri non capivano che cosa avesse. Pensavano a un tic. Da una vita faceva l’operaia nei capannoni dei terzisti del tessile e della calzatura, qui in Val d’Arno.
“Non mi spiegavo – racconta oggi Emanuela Camisciottoli – perché nella nuova ditta dove ero finita non c’avessi sempre alle spalle il caporeparto con il cronometro, che calcolava in quanto tempo realizzavo il capo. E, quasi quasi, non riuscivo nemmeno a intendere perché non m’insultassero. Per me era normale. Si è sempre fatto così. Qui mi chiedevano: per piacere, puoi fare questo? Per piacere, puoi fare quello?». E, sorridendo, conclude:«Ora non mi giro più Il Diavolo si vedrà pure nei dettagli. Forse, però, anche Dio vi ricorre e si nasconde in una gentilezza imprevista.
Emanuela è una delle dodici dipendenti della Fantasy, piccola impresa tessile specializzata in piumoni, culle, paracolpi e pannelli da parete che con altre 24 è ospitata nel polo industriale Lionello Bonfanti, fondato dai focolarini a Incisa in Val d’Arno (Firenze), a pochi chilometri da quella Loppiano che è la principale cittadella del movimento cattolico creato da Chiara Lubich durante la Seconda guerra mondiale, per realizzare gli ideali di unità fra le persone …». (leggi tutto)
Apr 6, 2010 | Focolari nel Mondo, Senza categoria
Il Teatro Palladium di Roma accoglierà il prossimo 15 aprile l’omaggio che l’Editrice Città Nuova vuole rendere a Chiara Lubich – fondatrice del Movimento dei Focolari, ispiratrice della sua attività editoriale e prima Autrice -, a due anni dalla sua scomparsa.
E’ prevista una tavola rotonda dal titolo “Chiara Lubich: La cultura come dialogo”, per mettere in evidenza la sua “voce rigorosa e limpida nel dibattito contemporaneo, che ha saputo confrontarsi con spirito aperto con il mondo laico e religioso sulla base della supremazia degli ideali umani della fraternità, giustizia e pace fra popoli e nazioni”, come è stato sottolineato dall’Editrice.
Sarà un dialogo fra Mons. Piero Coda – Preside dell’Istituto Universitario Sophia -, il Senatore Sergio Zavoli – Presidente della Commissione di Vigilanza RAI -, e la Prof.ssa Angela Ales Bello, Emerito di Storia della Filosofia contemporanea (Pontificia Università Lateranense). Con gli interventi di Kamel Layachi, Imam della Comunità islamica del Veneto, del Gran Rabbino Marc-Raphaël Guedj di Ginevra e del Pastore dr. Jens-Martin Kruse, Parroco della Chiesa Luterana di Roma.
Alla sera si svolgerà uno spettacolo, “L’attrattiva del tempo moderno”, su brani scelti da Meditazioni di Chiara Lubich; AA.VV., Esperienze; Igino Giordani, Memorie di un cristiano ingenuo. Tre testi che costituiscono il DNA dell’intera storia editoriale di Città Nuova. I protagonisti: gli attori Giorgio Marchesi e Simonetta Solder, la Compagnia di danza Arsmovendi. con Musiche di Murcof. Regia e coreografie di Andrea Cagnetti.
Per informazioni: Ufficio stampa Città Nuova: tel. 06.32.16.212
e-mail: ufficiostampa@cittanuova.it
www.cittanuova.it – http://cinquantesimo.wordpress.com
![Two successors meet face to face]()
Mar 14, 2010 | Focolari nel Mondo, Senza categoria
Pour célébrer le deuxième anniversaire du décès de Chiara Lubich, fondatrice du mouvement des Focolari, survenu le 14 mars 2008 à Rocca di Papa (Italie), les manifestations se multiplient à travers le monde en ce mois de mars. Plus de 600 d’entre elles sont répertoriées sur le site www.focolare.org/anniversary.
Afin d’évoquer sa mémoire, mais surtout de relancer son idée de fraternité universelle, une rencontre a eu lieu à Rome, au Capitole, 10 ans après qu’elle eut été faite citoyenne d’honneur de la ville. Mais en quoi la vie et la pensée de Chiara sont-elles encore actuelles aujourd’hui?
Gabriella Ceraso a posé la question à Maria Voce, l’actuelle présidente des Focolari:
«Le charisme de Chiara est vivant, et il reste vivant même si Chiara n’est plus présente physiquement. C’est pourquoi nous aussi, nous ne souhaitons pas faire une simple commémoration, mais célébrer cette vie que Chiara nous a donnée et qui continue dans l’âme de tous ceux qui l’ont suivie, et de tous ceux qui apprennent à la connaître maintenant, même s’ils ne l’ont jamais vue en personne. Ils continuent à faire sa connaissance à travers la vie des personnes du mouvement, réparties un peu partout dans le monde, et qui témoignent de la valeur de ce charisme. C’est un charisme d’unité et d’amour réciproque, un charisme qui construit des ponts entre les personnes, par delà les distances et les différences de mentalité, d’âge, de culture et de religion».
Quel rapport entretenez-vous avec Chiara, à présent qu’elle n’est plus là physiquement?
«J’ai l’impression que Chiara vit au-dedans de moi. Très souvent, je ne ressens pas le besoin de l’appeler pour lui demander quelque chose, même si parfois, je m’adresse à elle pour comprendre comment elle aurait fait, ce qu’elle aurait répondu dans une situation précise. J’ai plutôt l’impression qu’elle est en moi et qu’elle me guide de l’intérieur, pour ainsi dire».
Le titre de citoyenne d’honneur – Chiara en a reçu tellement – donne-t-il une valeur particulière à la dimension de la ville?
«Il lui donne une valeur particulière, parce qu’il était évident que Chiara commençait par désirer construire l’unité avec les personnes qui lui étaient les plus proches, avec sa famille, mais peu à peu, ce désir s’élargissait en cercles concentriques, jusqu’à atteindre une dimension politique. Donc, lorsque Chiara recevait ces titres de citoyenne d’honneur, elle était contente, parce qu’elle sentait que des liens spéciaux se nouaient entre elle et la ville qui lui faisait cet honneur. Elle cherchait alors, à son tour, à donner quelque chose à cette ville, en tant que citoyenne, et elle sentait qu’elle pouvait offrir son engagement personnel et celui des membres du mouvement présents dans cette ville, pour tisser des rapports avec tous et construire ces liens de fraternité».
Extrait du journal radiophonique du 14 mars 2010
Feb 15, 2010 | Focolari nel Mondo, Senza categoria
La presidente dei Focolari in Thailandia “La sensazione di aver trovato qui in Asia un campo già arato, con semi germogliati”: l’immagine che Maria Voce, presidente dei Focolari, dà del movimento nel continente asiatico, è di un’organizzazione matura, pronta a raccogliere i frutti del proprio lavoro. In un’intervista a “MissiOnLines”, la Voce racconta il viaggio intrapreso il 6 gennaio che l’ha portata in Corea del Sud, Giappone, Filippine e Thailandia; tra giorni volerà in Pakistan, l’ultima tappa del suo tour. A spingerla verso l’Asia è stato “il desiderio di conoscere le comunità dei Focolari nei vari Paesi ma anche la sensazione che questo viaggio mi desse la possibilità di raccogliere pienamente l’eredità di Chiara Lubich. La mia presenza qui – spiega – vuole anche essere un sostegno per la nostra opera e far sentire alle persone del movimento che per noi sono centrali”. In Thailandia Maria Voce ha prima partecipato al quarto Simposio internazionale buddista-cristiano, svoltosi a Chiang Mai, al quale sono intervenuti duecento rappresentanti provenienti da venti nazioni dell’Estremo Oriente, da Italia e Gran Bretagna, poi, a Bangkok, il 7 e 8 febbraio, al raduno di ottocento focolarini di diversi Paesi asiatici. Questo incontro – sottolinea la presidente – “è stato un evento eccezionale, organizzato con difficoltà notevoli, ma tutti si sono impegnati perché sentivano che fosse necessario un momento di unità da cui riprendere slancio”. Dal 9 al 12 febbraio il presidente ha incontrato i vescovi dell’Estremo Oriente simpatizzanti del movimento, riunitisi a Sampran per il convegno su “Comunicare Dio Amore. La nuova evangelizzazione oggi”. Tra essi l’arcivescovo di Bangkok, Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij, il nunzio apostolico in Thailandia, Singapore e Cambogia, arcivescovo Salvatore Pennacchio, e il vescovo coadiutore di Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Rufin Anthony. I presuli, una trentina, hanno approfondito in modo particolare due ambiti: da un lato la sfida dell’enciclica Caritas in veritate e la necessità della comunicazione nell’epoca della globalizzazione; dall’altro il dialogo interreligioso alla luce di Dio Amore. Il viaggio di Maria Voce prosegue, all’insegna della condivisione, dello scambio reciproco, della scoperta: “In Asia – racconta – ciò che ti colpisce è soprattutto il senso del sacro nelle popolazioni, che ci obbliga a essere all’altezza”.
Feb 1, 2010 | Focolari nel Mondo, Senza categoria
The Symposium is organised by the Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University of Chiang Mai, in collaboration with the Focolare Movement and the Rissho Kosei-Kai, the Buddhist lay Movement which has been active over a number of decades in inter-religious dialogue at a worldwide level.
The title of the congress ‘Dharma, Compassion and Agape in today’s world’, has a subtitle that is particularly relevant to the problems of today’s world: ‘What answer can Religions give to the challenges of globalisation?’ The fact that it was the Buddhist participants to propose this theme is significant and goes to show that it is a problem that affects men and woman in all countries whatever their religion or background.
There are some 150 participants from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, England and Italy. Among these will be thirty monks – Master’s students from the Buddhist University of Chiang Mai – who will be present as observers.
Leaders of many religions will be present at the opening ceremony this afternoon at the Wat Phrathat Sri Chomthong Voravihara temple. Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Papal Nunzio in Thailand, will be the guest of honour, together with Mons Andrew Vissanu Thaya-anan, Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and the new Archbishop of Bangkok, Mons Francis-Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij, and Mons Chusak Sirisut, bishop of Nakhon Ratchasima, President of the Thai Episcopal Conference’s Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue and the bishop of Chiang Mai Diocese, Mons Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana. The Rissho Kosei Kai Movement is represented by its President Nichiko Niwano, who will deliver an address.
Also speaking at the ceremony and representing the Theravada Buddhists, will be the highest authority in the Chiang Mai area – Phra Tepkosol – and Phra Thammankalajarn (also known as Ajahn Thong Sirimankalo), who has offered his Vipassana Meditation Centre, at the Temple where he is Abbot, as the venue for the meeting.
Representatives from other organisations will also be present including the Director of the Office of Relations with Religions and Culture of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Dr. Shanta Premawardhane.
The Symposium follows on from two others which were held in Rome, in 2004 and 2008, and one hosted by the Rissho Kosei Kai and Tendai-shu in Osaka in 2006 and wants to put Christian love and Buddhist compassion at the basis of all that will take place over the next few days. This was very much the spirit of the previous meetings, committing each participant to a sincere search for what unites in order to contribute to the growth of universal brotherhood.
On 3 February the President of the Focolare Movement Maria Voce, who is visiting Asia at the moment, will also speak, and on 5 February she will address the monks at the Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University of Chiang Mai.
