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7 Nov 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“It’s like being in prison”, hostages in their own homes, without a chance to meet. This is one of the most common feelings in countries affected by the Ebola virus, and shared by Antoinette, one of the young members of the Focolare Movement in Sierra Leone. “This virus seems to make us more selfish and distrustful towards each other; it does not allow us to go freely to meet our friends.” That’s why Antoinette has plucked up her courage and decided to prepare meals for some families, neighbours who were left with nothing to eat during the three-day quarantine that prevented them from going out. A very difficult human drama is unfolding: “People see their loved ones die or taken to specialized centres for Ebola. These are places far from here – Father Carlo Di Sopra of the diocese of Makeni writes – and many, once they leave, do not come back. The families do not know anything more about them or they about their families. So we can understand why some are hidden and others prefer to die in their own villages. But like this the virus spreads and kills even more victims.” Yes, because what must be defeated is not only the virus, but also ignorance: people are asking themselves: is there really Ebola or is it just propaganda? Who has caused this illness? Maybe they just want to sell us the vaccine to make a profit? – writes Carlo Montaguti, a doctor Focolarino in Ivory Coast who conducted a study on the Ebola epidemic which is published in the latest issue of Nouvelle Cité Afrique. To this we could also add the so-called healers, such as the Liberian woman who attracted patients from neighbouring Guinea, contributing to the spread of the epidemic in Liberia. And the failure of the national health systems, their failure to respond vigorously to such an emergency and especially the lack of means. “In cities like Monrovia (the capital of Liberia), with 2 million inhabitants, the majority of hospitals and health centres are closed for fear of contagion. So it is not only difficult to treat Ebola, but all other diseases as well.” A situation that should be taken on by the international community, as Pope Francis suggested in his recent appeal. 
“We are establishing an ‘Ebola Fund’ to help those most affected” – continues Father Carlo. “We received material help from the Focolare Movement in the Ivory Coast that we are now distributing. There are many orphans: the virus is decimating at times whole families. Another religious priest, Father Natale, is desperately trying to find a foreign team that has a laboratory that can test for the virus and that can come here in the north.” He continues: “In these days two of our religious have had a high fever. It was probably malaria, because the fever has now gone, but at the beginning there is always a certain apprehension and you feel unarmed, right in the hands of God. There are more and more cases and some not very far from our house. The area of Kabala that had not yet registered any cases now has some. News arrives that the virus is out of control, especially as it has taken root in the cities. There is great uncertainty.” In addition, it is not possible to travel as before, because the district is quarantined. And over the weeks Father Carlo confides that he has understood that “this is not just a remote corner of the world, as I called it before, but it is ‘the heart of him that Chiara Lubich called Super-Love’.” Jesus Forsaken, who on the cross cannot find answers, but continues to love. It is the only weapon left, powerful, because it helps us not to lose hope, to remain united, praying for the sick: “they can take away the possibility to meet each other, but the presence of Jesus among us can be established beyond the closed doors of homes,” writes a young man. And another: “Yes, this is our impression. It’s like being in prison, but even there we can still love.”
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6 Nov 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
31 October 1999 – Signing of the Joint Agreement
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3 Nov 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Some of the original sculptures included in the display at the Macao Exhibit are “Silk Road Symphony,” “Promised Land,” “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” and “Matteo Ricci.”. They are the fruit of the personal expriences of Lau Kwok-Hung, in Hung art. Born in Hong Kong in 1953, the artist has been living in the international town of Loppiano since 2000 where he works at his studio and draws inspiration from the spirituality of unity. Instead of the traditional scalpel, Hung uses an oxy-acetylene flame at 3000 ° C. Drop by drop: that’s how Hung creates his sculptures, which seem to mimic Chinese calligraphic brush strokes, but a closer look reveals a tangle of rebar forming human figures in motion. 
Each of the works on display in Macau has that andante quality which is the title of the exhibit. A term that plunges us onto a musical landscape where there is metre and rhythm, but also an outgoing movement, the discovery of the other. We met up with Hung on his return from Asia. How did this rather extraordinary experience of your solo exhibition in China come about?“In February of this year, I was in Macau. I was invited to the Seat of the Government by Madam Florinda Chan (Secretária para Administração and Justiça), to meet the leaders of the Instituto para os Assuntos Cívicos and Municipais. At the end of my presentation of the artistic process I use, the leaders unanimously decided to hold an exhibition of my work within the year. The place they proposed for the exhibition was the prestigious Taipai-Houses Museum. Moreover, they decided to arrange the trip, the publication of an exhibition catalog in three languages (Chinese, Portuguese and English) and the shipment of my sculptures by plane.” Is it your first solo exhibition in China? “I’ve done group exhibitions in the past, but this is the first solo exhibition in Asia. Many people were working behind the scenes. I’d especically like to mention Nico Casella who followed the beaurocratic process for obtaining the required documents and went the extra mile to ensure the safe arrival of the shipments. Then there’s Julian Andres Grajales who works with me at the studio, but there are so many others I should mention. . . The private viewing took place on September 25, marking the opening of the event that will last a month. On that occasion, Madam Florinda Chan invited me to conduct a guided tour, briefly presenting my work to the invited guests.” 
How long did you stay in Macau? “I was there for ten days, during which I was able to meet many people and dialogue with them, both at the conferences and during the private tours I conducted. One particularly interactive meeting was the one with 700 students from Colegio Mateus Ricci who expressed genuine wonder and gratitude; but were also interested in the practical technique, the inspiration and the style.” Were there any surprises? “Yes! One of the many surprises was when the Administration of the Colegio Mateus Ricci decided to purchase one of my works for the 60th anniversary of their institute in 2015, the sculpture is dedicated to Matteo Ricci, man of dialogue.” Has anything remained with you from this Asian experience? “I have great gratitude in my heart for the many relationships that were begun with so many people. . . unity was the protagonist.
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2 Nov 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“Having heard of the uprisings in Burkina Faso, I telephoned the focolarini in Bobo-Dioulasso for some news, and to assure them of my prayers and unity. I spoke with Dominique who assured me that the situation is tense, but calm,” writes Augusto Parody Reyes, Spanish medical doctor who spent 24 years in Africa and now works at the Focolare’s International Centre. Here is a brief description of the constantly evolving situation as reported by the Missionary Service News Agency (MISNA). Recently, in Ougadougou and other major cities there were unprecedented protest marches to block the nomination in the 2015 elections of President Blaise Compaore who has been in power from 1987. But the protests in the capital worsened on October 30th continuing in the afternoon after an assault and the burning of the parliament. Local news sources reported at least one dead in clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officers. There were also reports of lootings of shops and banks. In the afternoon, the demonstrators also surrounded the Presidential headquarters. Proclamation of a state of emergency, dissolution of the government and appeal for negotiations with the demonstrators were the key elements of a radio message given by the Head of State following hours of disorder and violence in the heart of Ouagadougou. Then it was learnt that president Blaise Compaore had not resigned and had cancelled the national state of emergency which was declared a few hours earlier. Those latest measures were announced in a television speech by the president. The president’s statements added further confusion to an already complicated and uncertain situation. It is currently uncertain who holds power in the capital city of Ouagadougou. A few hours earlier the chief of staff of the armed forces had made it known that the “executive and legislative powers would be entrusted to a transitional body that would be constituted through consultation among all the active forces of the nation.” Moreover, the goal of the transition would be “the return to constitutional order within 12 months.” The military also declared a national cease-fire between 19:00 and 6:00. This was the situation on October 30th which is continually developing. Meanwhile the president resigned and his whereabouts are unknown. The military has divided in two groups: the army and the presidential guard, each with its own leader. Focolare members in Burkina Faso say that they felt expressed in the appeal made by Cardinal Paul Ouedraogo bishop of Bobo Dioulasso and president of Caritas Burkina Faso: “We are praying for peace. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and to limit the damage during this critical period for our country.” Updated November 3, 2014
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1 Nov 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
The Holy See Press Office released the text of a video message from Pope Francis on the 50th anniversary of the founding of Loppiano, the Focolare movement’s first “little town.” The town, located in north-central Italy, has 2,600 residents from 70 nations.
“Dear brothers and sisters, inhabitants of Loppiano, good evening to you all.
I also wish to greet all those who today populate the citadel which Chiara Lubich had created, inspired by the Gospel of brotherhood – that universal brotherhood – and all those who from every corner of the world have linked up to participate in the Loppiano’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Loppiano is at the service of the Church and the world, and I thank the Lord for this little town which is a living and effective testimonial of communion between people of different nations, cultures and vocations, and who make sure, especially in daily life to keep alive among you, mutual and constant charity.
I am glad that you chose to celebrate your anniversary on the same day in which the entire Church celebrates St Francis of Assisi, testimonial and creator of peace and brotherhood. It is really a happy coincidence also for me.”
The inhabitants of Loppiano, those who are permanent citizens and those who pass a period of training wish to become experts in mutual acceptance and dialogue, operators of peace, and generators of brotherhood,
Continue with renewed enthusiasm along this path, and I pray that you remain faithful and continue to incarnate more and more the prophetic design of this citadel which blossomed from the charisma of unity, exactly fifty years ago. All this was in harmony with the profound message which the Second Vatican Council was announcing in that period, to testify to the light and wisdom of the Gospel with mutual love towards all. Loppiano is, therefore, a school of life, where there is only one Teacher: Jesus.
Yes, a school of life, that makes the world hope once again, and that bears witness to the Gospel is truly the yeast and salt of the new civilization of love. And to do so, by drawing from the spiritual sap of the Gospel, you need to imagine and experience a new culture in all fields of social life: from family to politics, to the economy. In other words, the culture of relationships. The basics of wisdom is the sincere desire for education, and taking care of education means love. Therefore it is not surprising that Loppiano has for some years now become the seat of the Sophia University Institute established by the Holy See. There is an urgent need for young people, men and women who, besides having a qualified training in various disciplines, are at the same time imbued with the wisdom that springs from love of God.
Dear friends, my heartfelt wishes for all of you and Loppiano, to look ahead always, and aim high with faith, courage and creativity. No mediocrity! I entrust you all to Maria Theotokos, Mother of God, who embraces you all in the shrine which is the heart of the little town. And I ask you to pray for me. I bless and greet all of you.”
Video in Italian
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30 Oct 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“Meditations” (Μελέτες) (1959) is the first published collection of meditations by Chiara Lubich. Now Greek has been added to the long list of translations of that book and “Knowing How to Lose”, (Μάθε να χάνεις), a book on Mary at the foot of the Cross. In his preface to the books, Patriarch Bartholemew writes: “We hail the publication of these books, which coinicides with the 50th anniversary of the encounter between Blessed Pope Paul VI and Athenagoras I in Jerusalem, and we hope that Meditations may become a favourite that will bring benefit to all who seek the path of love and peace in today’s world. . .” I personally knew the memorable founder of the Focolare Movement for over fifty years when she had been invited by our predecessor, the unforgettable Patriarch Athenagoras, and I followed closely her sincere efforts for unity and restoration of full communion between the ancient Churches and the new Rome, in the context of the dialogue of love. . . ” Chiara’s love for the Orthodox Church is well known: from 1967 to 1972 she had 25 audiences with Patriarch Athenagoras, a relationship that continued with Patriarch Demetrios and the current Bartholemew I. 
In Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece, two events were held to make Chiara Lubich more known in the Orthodox Church and in the Roman Catholic Church in those cities. It was significant that the Orthodox Metropolitan Chrisostomos of Messinia, in charge of relations with the Catholic Church in Greece, was sitting at the same table as member of the bi-lateral theological commission, Jesuit Father Kontidis who saw to the publication of the book, Dimitra Koukoura Orthodox professor of Homeletics, and Florence Gillet, theologian from the Chiara Lubich Centre. Nikos Papaxristou, an Orthodox journalist, moderated the presentations with a bit of autobiographical detail: “The first time I heard of the Movement was from Patriarch Bartholemew.” Universality, “femininity that is of Mary,” spiritual depth, ecclesial and social renewal from the charism of unity were some of the topics discussed. Metropolitan Chrisostomos affirmed: “There is a prophecy in Chiara that has given a new start to the age of ecumenism.” “The Ideal of Chiara is at the service of humanity,” he continued, and “is an examplary living spirituality that appeals especially but not only to the laity, opening a path of faith for so many people. . . ” Cipriot, Lina Mikelliddou and Greek Orthodox Anna Kuvala, from the Focolare Movment also gave their testimony: “Knowing this Ideal,” Lina said, “my life changed: every person became a candidate for unity.” Among the attendees in Thessaloniki, Archimendrite Ignathios, representing the city’s Metropolitan Nnikiforos, Abbot of the Orthodox Monastary of Vlatadon. Also present were several professors from diverse faculties of the Aristotelean University of the city, including Dr. Vassiliadis, Deacon of the Faculty of Theology. Bishop of Corfu-Zante, Bishop Spiteris who was unable to attend, sent a message. Also in Athens: several personalities from the Orthodox Church: Father Thomas, Vicar and representative of Archbishop Ieronimo, Metropolitan of Syros, Polykantriotis, Archimendrite Sotiriadis responsible of Diakonia (for charitable works) of the Holy Orthodox Synod (episcopal conference). From the Catholic Church: Apostolic Nunzio Bishop Adams, incumbent Bishop Foskolos, and Don Rossolatos, newly nominated Bishop of Athens. Another presentation of the two books will take place on October 31, 2014, in Nicosia – Cyprus.
