A message of unity for Ireland, now taking its turn in the presidential seat of the European Union

Chiara Lubich’s first visit to the Emerald Isle was characterized by meetings with top-level figures in Ireland’s political, economic and ecclesial circles. Such meetings received coverage by the nation’s two most important national dailies (Irish Times and Irish Independent).

In this semester when Ireland will occupy the presidency of the European Union, Europe’s situation was the theme that came into particular relief in Chiara Lubich’s conversations with Ireland’s President, Mary McAleese and the Prime Minister Bertie Aherne.

After the economic boom enjoyed by the country in recent years, the search for a profound ethical dimension comes to the fore. This fact was highlighted during the meeting held at the University of Dublin’s Faculty of Economics, where the Economy of Communion was offered as a way to give globalization a human face. The Governor of the Bank of Ireland, in his opening remarks, stated that “The Economy of Communion system arises from a spiritual culture which I consider to be most important. Economics is in need of a profound ethical dimension which the Economy of Communion can give to Ireland as well.”

Ireland, historically a profoundly Catholic nation, is now seeking an answer to the wave of de-Christianization which is crossing the entire Western world. The Irish Bishops’ Conference President, Bishop Seran Brady, invited Chiara Lubich to speak to a group of bishops on the topic of the Church as Communion and about her experience of evangelization. Also present in the meeting were the Apostolic Nunzio, Msgr. Lazzarotto; the Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Connell; and the Auxiliary Archbishop, Diarmuid Martin.

The search for the light was the recurring motif that wove together the journey across Ireland’s history, represented through artistic numbers during the Focolare family celebration in Dublin. Close to 1,000 people participated in the meeting with Chiara Lubich, including numerous representatives from Northern Ireland. The Focolare foundress encouraged everyone to bring everywhere the light of the Ideal of unity and the spirit of brotherhood rooted in the life of the Gospel put into practice.

To mark the conclusion of Chiara Lubich’s trip to Ireland, the little town of the Movement, “Mariapolis Lieta”, was inaugurated as a “laboratory of unity.” The commemoration of the deceased members of the Movement who were instrumental in the birth and development of the Ideal of unity in Ireland was a particularly moving moment.