Ireland is characterized by a profound age-old Christian tradition, yet in recent decades, partially due to the country’s recent economic boom, a wave of de-Christianization has produced marked effects on the people. The president of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Sean Brady, invited Chiara Lubich to speak to a group of bishops on the topic of the Church as Communion and about her experience on evangelization. During the dialogue, the bishops expressed their grave concern about the difficult moment Ireland is experiencing, particularly with respect to younger generations. Chiara highlighted the need to provide young people with credible role models. The dialogue also addressed relations with other religions, politics, collegiality and the family. Searching for the light: recurring motif of Ireland’s age-old history The re-discovery of the age-old roots of Ireland’s 5,000-year history; the beginning of evangelization with St. Patrick in the 5th century; the missionary era; the current crisis which demonstrates the search for that light woven throughout Irish history; the arrival of persons introducing the charism of unity 30 years ago, and its development – these were the highlights represented through the artistic and musical presentations offered during the Focolare family celebration of about 1000 members with Chiara Lubich, held at the University of Dublin. There were numerous representatives from Northern Ireland and other counties. Chiara encouraged everyone to put the spirit of brotherhood into action in relations between Catholics and Protestants and with people of other religions, particularly Muslims, now that for the first time Ireland is becoming a land of immigrants. The experiences shared by the Irish community made a strong impression. For example, a young girl spoke about her search for God in the midst of the turbulent lifestyle of the youth. A couple from Northern Ireland shared how they withstood the temptation to hate, even amidst bombings and threats, so as to make that love which builds bridges between the Protestant and Catholic communities of Ulster triumph. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Coadjutor Bishop of Dublin, present at the meeting, encouraged everyone to practice and help spread the charism of unity. He said that it “reinforces unity among Christians and helps create an ecumenism of hearts, where love is alive in each person and helps us to understand one another better and overcome the tensions caused by division.”

Inauguration of the little town “Mariapolis Lieta”, a “laboratory of unity” As a conclusion to Chiara’s visit, the inauguration of the little town of the Movement, “Mariapolis Lieta”, was particularly significant. In the context of Irish political and Church life, it aims to be an example of a world renewed by the Gospel. A number of civic and religious dignitaries were present at the inauguration.

Those who sowed and developed the Ideal of unity in Ireland More than once during this visit to Ireland, those who had sowed and developed the Ideal of unity in Ireland were remembered, for example, those who were the first to hear about it, adopt its lifestyle and foster its growth, persons such as Margaret Neylon and her son Eddie who was the first gen, a young man who, confined to a wheel chair, offered a luminous example of love. Particularly touching was the moment when the picture of Lieta, an Argentinian focolarina, was unveiled during the inauguration of the little town that bears her name. From the early 70’s until her death in 2002, Lieta devoted herself to the growth of the Focolare spirit in Ireland. Also very much alive in the hearts of all was Joe McNamara, one of the first married focolarini and the focolarino Stephen Lukong from Cameroon, who lived in the focolare house in Ireland and who died quite suddenly just a few days before Chiara’s planned visit. His last days were particularly characterized by a deep spiritual experience. The names of these precious friends are now immortalized also in the names of the streets and the squares of the little town.