The Communion in Action Report (Bilancio di Comunione – BdC) is an instrument which began in the tradition of the Social Reports of non-governmental and non-profit organisations. It expresses a style inspired by the Gospel and is an invitation to promote relationships of reciprocity and communion and to contribute to the implementing of societies where people and nations can live with dignity, justice and in peace. For 2024, the Focolare Movement has analysed data relating to permanent and ongoing initiatives, projects and actions in many countries. The reported data does not represent a complete or exhaustive map of all the initiatives taking place but is a significant sample that expresses the commitment of over a hundred projects which, supported by the spirituality of the Focolare Movement, respond to the needs of humanity, so as to generate trust, social cohesion and a sense of community.
The document provides a concise overview of the general guidelines for the Focolare Movement’s educational endeavours. In essence, it outlines the first mapping of the many and varied educational experiences designed not only for members of the Movement, but also for schools and to cultural and training agencies promoted by the Focolare in diverse contexts worldwide.
To download the document, click on the image.
It is therefore addressed to all those engaged in education within the various branches and training initiatives of the Focolare Movement, in their own Churches or Christian communities, in their own religions and in society at large.
While acknowledging that reflection and implementation on it are still at an early stage, the document also reaches out to people working in other institutions and organisations involved in education and formation, as a stimulus for dialogue and mutual enrichment.
In several motions of the 2021 General Assembly, the desire was expressed to focus more deeply on the pedagogy that flows from the charism of unity and to foster synergies both within and beyond the Movement in this area. On the eve of the 2026 Assembly, this first document is now being made available online rather than in print to highlight its nature as a work in progress: an open document, to be enriched and updated over time.
The first section identifies the intended audience, the guiding principles, objectives and the key participants in the educational process. This is followed by a summary of the content and methodology and finally a compilation of the agencies and educational programmes offered by the Focolare Movement.
«The Church’s enduring response to abuse requires more than structural reforms: it demands active participation of all, at all levels of ecclesial life.» This could be one of the key phrases of the second Annual Report on Church Policies and Procedures for Safeguarding . In its comprehensive and detailed Report, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors documents its findings and recommendations for 2024, thanking Pope Leo XIV for his full support in this work.
A second key phrase could be this: «Victims should be central to our priorities.» For this reason, the direct listening to the victims and the survivors of abuse has been expanded in this second report. «Al di là del ruolo limitato e spesso insufficiente del risarcimento finanziario, in un approccio integrale alla riparazione sono fondamentali strumenti di riparazione come i seguenti:
assurances of welcoming listening centres for victims /survivors to be heard and believed by Church authorities
the provision of professional psychological support services
public acknowledgements and apologies
proactive and transparent communication with victims/survivors to provide timely updates on their cases
the inclusion of victims /survivors in the development of the Church’s safeguarding policies and procedures.»
During the presentation of the Report to the press, emphasis was placed on the ongoing dialogue between the Commission and the bishops’ conferences around the world, focusing primarily on prevention, transparency and applicable protection procedures. The availability of safe spaces is important in order to manage situations in a preventive manner.
Press conference presenting the Second Annual Report of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. From left: Prof. Benyam Dawit Mezmur, jurist, member of the Pontifical Commission; His Excellency Luis Manuel Alí Herrera, Titular Bishop of Giubalziana; Secretary of the Pontifical Commission; His Excellency Monsignor Thibault Verny, Archbishop of Chambéry, Bishop of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Tarentaise, President; Dr Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, jurist, responsible for the Annual Report; Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office.
The cultural delays in many countries and the resistance to addressing situations and listening to people who have suffered abuse have not been concealed. Professionalism and structured dialogue are needed in local services, because victims or survivors often feel that they are not being adequately accompanied and report a lack of respect. There is also a need for a clearer canonical procedure for the dismissal and/or removal of Church leaders or staff in cases of abuse or negligence. However, there is widespread awareness of these delays and serious efforts are being made to acquire the necessary skills.
With regard to communication, this is a critical issue highlighted above all by victims, who always recall the suffering caused by the lack of transparency at the level of the universal Church and the local churches. The importance of developing training and information programmes for families on educational rights was also noted.
In the Report, the Commission launches a study on lay associations, in particular with the development of a pilot methodology to assist the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life in accompanying aspects regarding safeguarding within these associations. This methodology is illustrated in the Report, together with an initial application in the case of the Focolare Movement.
« The Commission welcomes the important safeguarding reforms recently enacted by the Focolare Movement. While noting specific recommendations, the Commission also highlights certain particularly good practices, including the establishment of an Independent Central Commission for handling cases of abuse within the Focolare Movement; a Communication Policy concerning sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults; and Guidelines on support and financial reparation in cases of sexual abuse.»
Among the improvements requested and the recommendations: external review and control procedures and a systematic independent review plan, at the same time taking into account the work of the Supervisory Board, which is however a useful provision within the Movement’s safeguarding system.
The inclusion in the new Procedures of a clause stating that victims/survivors should be proactively and affirmatively informed of their right to report their case to the civil authorities; to harmonize the Movement’s diverse and fragmented policies into a single, coherent document, although positively welcoming a consolidated document which is to be published shortly.
The Focolare Movement expresses its sincere gratitude for the support received from the Commission for the Protection of Minors, which over the past year has followed the Movement’s work on formation, prevention and the creation of a system of rules and procedures, offering its expertise. The work is now continuing with the study of the recommendations proposed by the Commission in this report; some will be implemented in the coming months and will be reported in the next Report on Safeguarding in the Focolare Movement, which will be published by February 2026.
During the second half of September 2025, the General Council of the Focolare Movement met with the Delegates from its 15 geographical regions of the world at the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome). “Exploring our History” was the title of a session in which, among other contributions and moments of sharing, participants heard the powerful and deeply moving experience of the Regnum Christi Movement through the testimony of Eugenia Álvarez, a consecrated member and a current member of its General Council. Eugenia offered an interpretation, in the light of the Gospel, of some particularly troubled periods of their movement’s journey and of the subsequent path of healing that led to a renewed momentum and a revival of vocations.
“In order to discover how we are called to live the present,” she said, “we need to connect with our deepest aspirations, read the history through which God has shaped us and recognise the concrete reality in which we find ourselves: the people we are and the circumstances in which we live.” These words referred to discernment of the present reality, a process born from a balance between hopes and history.
After her presentation, we had the opportunity to interview her. Here is what she shared with us:
Activate English subtitles – The original is in Spanish
Eugenia Álvarez is from Venezuela and has been a consecrated member of Regnum Christi since 1999. She holds degrees in Education and Development from the Anáhuac University (Mexico) and in Religious Sciences from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum (Rome). She has studied Spiritual Theology at the Sèvres Centre in Paris and has completed courses in Spain to become a “Specialist in Spiritual Exercises” and in the “Theology of Consecrated Life”. She currently serves as General Councillor of the Society of Apostolic Life “Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi.”
In the light of the recent positive news regarding the agreement for the Gaza Strip, I want to express my sincere hope that this represents a first step toward a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace.
There is certainly still a long way to go, yet in this moment my thoughts are with the hostages, the Palestinian prisoners and the residents of Gaza. We trust that they may begin again to glimpse a renewed hope for a life worthy of its name.
We also hope that those entrusted with the fate of nations will continue to make decisions guided by the highest good we possess: life itself.
We commit to joining our efforts, both practically and spiritually, with all those who are working tirelessly for a better world. In this spirit, we want to unite to the Day of Prayer for Peace proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, to be held on the 11th of October.
