![Fraternity and public administrations]()
12 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
Capodrise (Italy) – Angelo Crescente and Emilio Donnarumma are, respectively, the mayor and city clerk of a city of the South of Italy, an area that is not easy to manage and has an image in the collective national and even international mind associated with corruption and organised crime. Emilio – who has decades of experience in public administration and is a convinced promoter of the values of brotherhood and participation in politics – since 2011 is at Angelo’s side, who was elected mayor that year. They share with other friends of the Focolare values of fraternity also in the political sphere and want to give themselves for their own people, guaranteeing the possibility of respect for the principles of legality in the interpretation of the law. Among the most urgent tasks that await them, is the revision of the municipal budgets that are in serious deficit. Refusing shortcuts, as well as the temptation to blame the failures of previous administrations, they choose to build the future of their city along with all the political forces and with all the citizens. “These efforts were rewarded with a good result for the town council and good relations with our counterparts,” says Angelo. Then there was the case of a group of families that saw their houses taken from them because they had not been built with proper planning permission. This time Emilio tells the story: “Although they had built illegally, we could not refuse the request for help of these people who would have been abandoned in the middle of the road. We looked for a way within the law for them to have their houses back. The solution was found by the regional administration that, at that particular time, passed a law allowing the return of possession (though not ownership) of the houses themselves. ” Nothing out of the ordinary for those involved in local government, it could be thought; but it is true that there are many different ways of doing things. Emilio and Angelo have chosen the “method” of fraternity: “First of all we try to live this among ourselves – Emilio concludes – it is a daily effort that requires commitment but if lived with consistency is far-reaching, even beyond our city limits.” 
Salto (State of Sao Paulo – Brazil) – Milta Alves Ribeiro Maron is the town councillor for education of her city, and still remembers vividly the eve of the Ninth Congress on Education organized last year in her town. Outside the windows of her office winds of war blew, or more precisely of protest by teachers, students and school employees, against the anti-waste and privileges campaign that the town council was carrying out. “The congress consisted of three days of conferences, workshops and mini-courses and we were wondering if we’d ever be able to do it, because of the threat of protests. Some of my colleagues advised me to cancel everything in order to avoid any danger to the mayor or to myself.” Milta continues, “The presence of Maria Luisa, my co-worker who shares with me the vision of a policy based on fraternity, gave me the strength to act in respect for all: that of the public administration who had organized the conference, but also the right of the protesters to protest for their own ideas. ” Milta confesses that in those days she also strengthened her relationship with God and with those collaborators who share her political values, working together on the opening speech of the conference that she was due to give. “I wanted it to be tuned in to the values of universal brotherhood, for the common good.” On the morning of the conference Milta arrived on foot, practically “escorted” by many who wanted to show her their support. And despite the presence of the protesters there was no violence. The speech was greeted with some booing, but ended with the applause of all. “A speech – explains Milta – which marked the beginning of a change. I was able to talk with the teachers, listen to their problems and this triggered a relationship of trust between us. At the end of the conference we all felt like winners, or rather, fraternity had won.” Source: www.umanitanuova.org
![Fraternity and public administrations]()
11 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
Net-working at the meeting for priests and seminarians in Loppiano, Fr. Justin Nary, 42, from the Central African Republic, spoke in subdued tones about his country which was in the news headlines more than a year ago, following the bloody civil war between Muslims, Christians and Animists. It is a conflict almost forgotten and no longer gathers so much attention, but which continues up to today, triggering serious consequences in the daily lives of the population. “For over three years, I was a parish priest in a big city which was living in the fear of an imminent ethnic-religious conflict, like other cities in the whole country. When it all started, I realised with pain that even among ourselves, we priests, pastors and imams did not even know one another. I felt I had to do something because the lives of our people were at stake». This was how Fr. Justin involved the religious leaders of the other faiths, and held regular meetings where they could share their experiences and together find a way to guide the faithful towards a peaceful lifestyle. The coup d’etat by a minority Muslim group quickly made the situation plunge and the massacres of the non-Muslim population began. But this was not all: a faction of rebels composed of Christians, atheists and military men belonging to the local traditions again overturned the situation, took power and implemented a fierce revenge towards the Muslims. Those who could, left the city, but about 2,000 Muslims ran to take refuge in the parish and Fr. Justin opened the doors to them. After a short time, the rebels who had learned of this went to the parish to kill everyone, if Fr. Justin were to oppose their ultimatum. 
Fr. Justin continued: “I had done all that was possible to try to seek for help from the army, the authorities, but in vain. And while I was saying Mass, I understood that God was asking me to give Him the most precious thing I had, my own life. I then decided to remain with my Muslim and non-Muslim people, up to the end, conscious that I was running the risk of being massacred. Seeing my determination, also my priest-brothers who had come to take me away, decided to do the very same thing.” Just a few hours before the expiry of the ultimatum, Fr. Justin’s cell phone suddenly rang: it was the chief of the African Union Army who was ensuring him of his help by sending the army which arrived exactly 17 minutes before the rebels, and thus saved everybody’s lives. “After a failed raid attempt, most of the refugees managed to emigrate to the Cameroon – Fr. Justin concluded – while about 800 of them still remained in the parish. What gave me the strength in difficult moments was to ask myself what the friend of the Focolare and Chiara Lubich would have done in my place. I remembered the meetings with the Muslim friends, how much she loved them, and it was immediately clear: she would have given her life for them.”
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8 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
The General Statutes of the Movement calls for a three-day retreat preceeding the elections of the President, Co-President and General Council members, so that the electors united in the name of Jesus […] might be more docile to the graces of the Holy Spirit in deciding what is best for the Work of Mary. That is quite a challenge considering the great variety of Assembly members: focolarini, families, young people, priests and religious. Several bishops are also invited to represent the Bishop Friends of the Focolare. There is also a sizeable representation of members from other Christian Churches. Metta, a Buddhist, and Racim, a Muslim, will represent the faithful of other religions. A group of people with no religious affiliation who arrived a few days ago, represent the universal reach of the charism of unity. 
The three-day retreat was deemed necessary by many, so that the choices to be made might be the result of a collective discernment. During the retreat one point of Focolare spirituality was presented: “The Eucharist Mystery of Communion” which will be offered this year for reflection by all the members of the Focolare. It is potentially an awkward point considering the ecumenical and interreligious membership of the Movement, yet it has already become a topic of deep and positive dialogue and discussion among all. The presentation of the theme was preceeded by a reading of the High Priestly Prayer (Jn 17) by a group of men and women focolarini from several different Churches. Some of them then offered their thoughts. Heike, a Lutheran explained: “For Luther, the Eucharist was a mystery, so the title already puts me at ease. Something still remains that divides us, but I believe there is still more than 90% that we can live together.” Cathy, an Anglican, admitted: “Not being able to share at the same table gives me the opportunity to recognise and accept the suffering of division, and so to love more.” Metta, a Buddhist from Thailand, feels like a member of the Focolare family. “How can I live this point of the spirituality?” he asked himself. I realised that I have to purify myself every day, to be nothingness in order to be able to welcome my brothers and sisters.” Algerian Muslim, Racim, recounted how Chiara’s words on the Eucharist remind her of one Hadit of the Prophet in which it is said that God enters into the heart and into the body of every person. 
Present and future challenges will be discussed in over thirty work groups, comprised of people from around the world of every age and calling. There will also be other opportunities for participation and dialogue during the plenary sessions where stories, testimonies and the daily challenges from different national and cultural contexts will be discussed. Jean Paul from Burundy, studies in Algeria. He shared about the daily challenge of living in a Christian minority in a land that is 90% Muslim. He also expressed his satisfaction for the recognition given to young people who are taking part in the Assembly. 
One important moment of the first week was the Presidency’s report. Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti presented a recap of the path of the Movement from 2008 to the present. Many things were mentioned ranging from the impact and spreading of Chiara Lubich’s thought in many fields to the official request to the Catholic Church for the opening of her process of Beatification; the distribution of Focolare members by geographic region; the sufferings, which echo the evils of society; dialogue with other Churches, religions and cultures; the youth; prospects for the six years that lie ahead, which will be examined by the Assembly. One plenary session was dedicated to a facilitated discussion by the Abba School Centre for Studies, on the current cultural landscape. They talked about the globalisation of technnology and the environment, human relations, the question of God – all issues that were offered in the more than 3,000 suggestions from Focolare members from around the world. Many members of the Assembly responded: Eddie, from Hong Kong spoke about the search for ways to bring God to the East, highlighting the necessity of concrete facts from daily living. This week the work groups will continue their discussions on cultural challenges and openness to society, catechesis, the life of local Focolare communities in diverse cultural contexts, families and the new generations, interreligious dialogue, dialogue with the modern culture, relations with the Catholic Church and other Churches. This week the President and Co-President will be elected.
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6 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
“Just after I was nominated Bishop of the Diocese of Skara (Sweden) in 2012, we decided to hold an ecumenical meeting in the Bishopry on Pentecost day, which is also the anniversary of the 1,000 years of the founding of the Diocese. This event, inspired by Pope John Paul II and as oftentimes solicited also by the Catholic Bishop Anders, would reunite the representatives of the various churches and Christian movements in the diocese, following the example of other events the Catholic diocese had organised, precisely during the feast of the Pentecost. When I proposed the project, I was quite surprised to see that none of my new team members opposed the idea, but rather – all the directors felt that this experience would be an indispensable step to preparing our millennium celebrations. The reactions of the members of the various Churches, however, revealed to be a conquest. Many were busy and out of town. Furthermore, the celebration would have coincided with the National Swedish Day. I discovered that Pentecost day plays an important role in the Orthodox tradition, and is a sort of “All Souls Day.” This meant that a single Orthodox member alone could represent the entire family of his Church. We sent the invitations way ahead of time and publicised the event several times. The effort was decisively fruitful. So the meeting was held, and more than 300 Christians of different churches and movements attended, among which, the Focolare Movement. The theme was “Let them speak a thousand tongues” (referring to the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2 and to our 1,000th anniversary). Two of the main speeches were given by Swedish theologians like Ylva Eggehorn and Magnus Malm. On Pentecost morning, when I arrived at the Cathedral before the start of the program, many people had already assembled in Church. To my great joy I had the chance to greet the people I knew and meet new friends, comrades in faith. After a brief introduction on the morning’s program, we divided into mixed groups to discuss and reflect about the importance of prayer. The afternoon groups were based according to the cities of origin. The day ended with a celebration in the Skara cathedral. Many were struck by the possibility to meet, regardless of their various faiths and discovered that really we all have a lot in common. We could say that we all needed to communicate more with one another. The communities present were: the Swedish Lutheran Church, the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and some free churches. It was of no importance what Church we belonged to, what mattered was to meet, be together and share our experiences on prayer, and more. It was fundamental to spend this day as brothers and sisters, and beyond all things, with Jesus in our midst. The day instilled in me a new driving force towards the future and we can say that we have taken a step forward in our journey towards unity and that we will continue to walk with the Crucified and Resurrected Lord! Let me underline once again the motto of this meeting, which is a way to reach unity of the Church, unity in our diversity: “Let them speak a thousand tongues.”
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5 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
The Holy Spirit. I’d like to take up the same subject again today; so that by getting to know this “Unknown God” better, we may love, honour, and obey him. The Holy Spirit can do incredible things! Just look at the Apostles! The Church had been founded by Jesus on the cross, yet they were dumbfounded, hesitant, scared, hiding behind locked doors. Then the Holy Spirit came down upon them, and they were filled with courage. They went out into the streets and squares, and spoke with such fire, that people thought they were drunk. Later, they bravely faced persecution and set out to bring the Good News to the whole world. This is just one important example of what the Holy Spirit can do – not to mention all that he has done in the Church throughout her twenty centuries of life: miraculous outpourings of light, grace, transformation, and renewal. Think of the Councils, and of the various spiritual movements he raised up, always at just the right moment. Isn’t something of this sort also happening with us, because of the fact that the Holy Spirit has bestowed one of his charisms on us? Before this happened to change our lives, weren’t we just like all those people who don’t see beyond their own neighbourhood, whose thoughts and affections are limited almost exclusively to the small circle of their family; who are bent solely – as we were – on acquiring a profession, or on owning a car or a house. Then the Holy Spirit intervened and gave us this wonderful new life. He helped us break out of our own self-centeredness, and start thinking about our neighbour. He gave us hope – and often proof – that, with his help, many of the problems that afflict the world could be resolved.He gave us the courage to speak in front of crowds, which we would never have imagined possible. He also gave us the strength to spiritually – and often literally – leave behind, not only our own neighbourhood, but our own country and our own culture, to bring the fire of his love to the ends of the earth. He gave us the strength, day after day, to overcome difficulty and misfortune; and often with joyful hearts. As a result, we have often experienced the Father’s extraordinary providence; and we have seen the fruits of our labour: many people all over the world, united in one big family. If, to a greater or lesser degree, things around us have changed for the better, this is the work of the Holy Spirit, who renews the face of the earth. Yes, for his task is to instil drive and motivation; to enable grace – the divine life Jesus has obtained for us – to operate in our lives; to give us strength and courage. Since we owe him so much, he should hold a much more prominent place in our spiritual lives. Last time we focused on the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in our souls; that we are his temples; and that each of us must listen to his voice speaking within us. He is also present in the soul of every neighbour we meet, who is also a temple of the Holy Spirit, or destined to be one. If this is so, don’t you think this is an added reason to love our neighbour even better? Just as we show the proper respect before a tabernacle where Jesus is present in the Eucharist; similarly, we must have proper respect for all our sisters and brothers, because they are tabernacles of the Holy Spirit. Here, then, is a thought to illuminate our path: Let’s honour the Holy Spirit, by loving, respecting, and serving every neighbour. Chiara Lubich (taken from Journey, Spiritual Insights, New City Press, New York 1984, pp.117-119.) Centro Chiara Lubich
