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1 Aug 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
This year most specialisations at the graduate summer session of Sophia Univeristy Institute (IUS) came from the Department of Political Studies. Ramy Boulos from Egypt with the thesis on Monitoring and Evaluation Systems: Rethinking, Recovering and Reconciling Current Practices; Vanessa Breidy from Lebanon with Pluralisme et Conflicts Culturels Au Liban. Entre Communitarisme Et Conscociativisme Perspectives Pour le Futur (on prospectives of institutional reform in the country); Melchior Nsavyimana from Burundi with Le Soudan du Sud e la Communaute est Africane (on the integration process of Sudan in East South Africa; Vilmar Dal Bo Maccaria from Brazil with O concieto de social segundo o paradigma fraterno a partir do pensamento de Giuseppe Maria Zanghi (on social life and fraternity, with a particular reference to the thought of Zanghi). Choosing a topic for a thesis is always very demanding. What was your approach? “There was a big question that was returning to me for some time: What defines the identity of a people? Why does identity still appear as such an irreconcilable contrast? What relationship is there between identity and democracy? The Middle East is still in the midst of a very critical phase that will long determine its appearance. Only three years ago there was talk of an Arab spring, whereas now we are much more cautious about using this term: the line between Arab spring and Arab wars is not as clear as we observe the return of several non-democratic military regimes. Prolonged oppression of minorities, persecutions against those who think differently, rigidity and fundamentalism, vicissitudes that are deeply rooted in history . . . what we see emerging from a combination of confused and at the same time dramatic factors seems to me to be a sad inability to ‘under-stand’ the cultural, ethnic, political and religious diversity that is found in different countries. The theory of democracy is struggling with these unanswered questions, and I think we have to recognise that we still have a long road ahead of us.” What is the message that comes from your own country of Lebanon? “John Paul II said that Lebanon was more than a country – that it was a message. And yet, until now the Lebanese have not managed to secure harmonious coexistence amongst the ethnic groups, religious groups and different faces of its inhabitants. The search continues amidst challenges and disappointments. Lebanon has several interesting features that should not be undervalued; but a critical analysis should be allowed to also identify what is lacking so that the values, upon which our coexistence can be built, can be highlighted.” From where should we begin again? The high vision of politics that I studied at IUS has given me much hope. I learnt that it is always necessary to choose dialogue, accepting even our fears and ambitions, while aiming for the truth. Each one of us, in our deepest being, is formed by the Other: by the identity of others. In politics, dialogue becomes the true art of understanding and learning. With this in mind I placed the accent on the question of Good more than Justice, an idea that seems to be making strong headway throughout the Middle East: why not continue following this line after for so long asking what is just has proven to be so unfruitful? I am convinced that, following this path, the Lebanese will also rediscover the fruitfulness of their own message – the peaceful coexistence of different religions and cultures, but especially the dialogue among them, for a new blossoming of service to the Middle East and beyond.
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31 Jul 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Jerusalem, July 30, 2014. “The situation in Gaza is dramatically deteriorating. Following the total destruction of the electrical plant, which was only partially operating, the people are now completely without electricity. Yesterday, G., a Christian woman, informed us that water has also become scarce. Two hours ago she telephoned saying that shortly there would be no telephone line, but she wanted to inform us that everyone was still alive. Three families are staying with her, because their homes have been completely or partially destroyed. They say that the love among them strongly unites them, and they wish to stay together even if it means dying together. The home of H., which was already seriously damaged a week earlier, was completely blown up last night by four missiles. In their last telephone call they begged: “Pray for us not a little, but a lot!” 
The apartment of N., was bombed five days ago. They are now living on the stairs, which is the most protected place they can find. They tried but were unable to restore the generator so that they could have a few hours of electricity. Nadia says it’s like living in an ongoing earthquake, and she is suffering very much. But when she telephoned she was very grateful because, at 15:00 a four-hour ceasefire was declared. Within Gaza there are some 50 people who live the spirituality of unity. They count on the prayers of the worldwide Focolare family. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem we have visited the fifteen wounded who were taken from Gaza and placed in a hospital in the city. Among them was a small child of four years, who lost her family. There was also five-year-old Yazan, thirteen-year-old Abdul Karim and twenty-year-old Musleh. One of them lost a kidney, another lost an arm and a leg. . . We wanted to kneel down in front of each one of them and ask for forgiveness. We continue praying that the hatred, mistrust and fear may melt and that peace return.” Corres Kwak and Claudio Maina – Focolare Movement in the Holy Land
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30 Jul 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Angiolino is by no means “self-centred”. This is the best description you could probably give of him. For 75 years he’s lived as someone who is “other-centred”. He’s lived in several places in Italy, then in Belgium and Argentina. For the past few years he’s been living in Rome, Italy. “When I first came to Rome, I felt a bit awkward. I knew so few people, but at the same time felt the need to do something for the people here who often seemed tired and stressed, unhappy and buried in their personal problems. Then, I simply began to acquaint myself with whomever came into view, beginning with the shop workers, the florist, the coffee shop owner, the newspaper seller. But especially the many poor people I met who were begging for money. Often when I go to church, I find them coming up to me in groups of four or five. One asks for some money, another for a pair of trousers or pieces of clothing. Even when I don’t have anything to give them, I stop to chat a bit and they feel accepted. Once in a while I stop by a Romanian who is unable to move one leg because of an accident. He’s married with a daughter who considers me a father. Then someone tells me he hasn’t had breakfast. So I invite him to a coffee shop and do a bit of shopping for him. Hasamed from Bangladesh supports his family, cleaning windshields. When he insists on buying me a cappuccino I let him pay, out of respect for his personal dignity. If someone has a need that goes beyond my possibilities, I pray to the Eternal Father, and often the answer comes. Once, not knowing how to assist a Romanian lady who was in need, I gave her the gold cross and chain I have always worn around my neck. At times, not concerned about who sees me (it’s been a while since I’ve looked for human respect), I sit with them and listen to what they have to tell me. . . I don’t solve their problems, but at least they feel there is someone who wishes them well. My way of acting is not always looked upon in a positive way. Once someone even threatened me: ‘You give too much trust to those over there, then they take advantage and come to rob you. If you continue like this, I’ll report you to the police!’ But as for me, I just continued, hoping that my example might draw others. Like that time when I was at the Vatican Museums and it began to rain. I saw a bearded old man approaching, soaked to the skin, unsteady on his feet and wearing a tattered scarf around his neck. He smelled of wine and I understood immediately! In fact, I had just received some extra money from my pension. ‘Come,’ I told him, ‘let me buy you a pair of shoes.’ As I stepped into the shop, a gentleman turned to me and said: ‘I’ll also contribute ten euros.’ I’m a bit talented at doing clown performances with a foldable metre for measuring. The monies I receive from these small performances I donate to from seminarians from outside the country, since the bishop who was assisting them has died. Then there are others in Congo who would not be able to carry on with the studies if it were not for my support. I was also able to help a married couple who were unable to afford a cesarian section: now they have a healthy baby girl. I share these little episodes with people whenever the occasion allows, and my barber – for example – has refused to let me pay for the last two haircuts, telling me to “send the money you were going to give me, to Congo.” Living like this is an investment: for example, at times I leave the house focused in on myself, a bit burdened by some personal problem, but when I spot one of my poor friends I take courage. It’s as if they say to me, come on, Angiolino, get out of yourself, give us a smile. . . And by forgetting myself, I return to being free and happy. Source: Città Nuova online
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29 Jul 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
July 21-22, 2014. An innovation for future generations of graduates in European and Italian Economics: Fifty students at the Lumsa University of Rome recite and undersign the Genovesian Oath committing themselves to exercise their profession according to a demanding ethical code. The initiative takes its name from the first professor of Economics in Italian history, Antonio Genovesi who, in 1754 was a voice for values such as trust, public happiness and mutual assistance. It is just a small parchment,” explains Professor Bruni of the department of Economic Sciences at Lumsa University, “but will have an impact on a symbolic and ritualistic level. Publicly reciting and undersigning the Genovesian Promise at such a significant moment as a doctoral hooding ceremony is not mere rhetoric or folklore.” The oath proposes an epochal challenge at a time of crisis and precarious values. In his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis states that the present economy kills. Professor Bruni adds: “Nowadays people are dying not only because of causes linked to medicine, but also because of the omissions and mistakes committed by economists, financers and managers: nowadays people are dying as a result of decisions and the unethical behaviour of banks and businesses. For this reason a commitment to ethics in economics, an oath to abide by certain values and behaviours is not less weighty than that required of other professions that are ethically sensitive, and it can help trigger a virtuous cycle of economic and social change.” 
This could be an important step for Europe, as Rector of Lumsa University, Professor Giuseppe Dalla Torre said: “We need to pay attention to the civilian economy, its ethics, and overcome the individualistic mind-set that characterises it now.” Text of the Genovesian Oath: “In receiving this Economics Degree today I promise that I will: 1) view the market as a set of opportunities for mutual benefit without, discrimination of language, gender, race or creed, and not as a competition or battleground wherein one wins at the expense of others; 2) never treat an employee as a commodity, capital, or resource of the company; 3) first of all recognise in my professional practice that employees, partners, colleagues, suppliers and clients are human beings, and because of that human dignity I must respect, value and honour them; 4) relate with my interlocutors with kindness, trust, fairness, justice, magnanimity, morality, and respect for every person, recognising this work ethic to as the best path to a good and sustainable economy; 5) see my career as the terrain for my personal growth and as a contribution to the common good.
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26 Jul 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“If you are looking for a seismograph that can register the vibrations of our world today, can know the positive and negative developments of the consciousness of our times with its imminent dangers and new experiences, look at the priest. In a certain sense he is the heart of Our Lord, placed by God Himself in the heart of humanity with this calling to be completely available to the Lord and sensitive to all people, with whom he is called to make himself one and be close to; but this availability also involves a great vulnerability. Whoever deals with a theme such as The Priest Today – an essential question for the life of the Church in our times – finds himself faced with countless theories, experiments and projects. The documents of the Second Vatican Council and the 1971 Synod of Bishops, the talks and letters of recent Popes, especially our present Holy Father, John Paul II all offer support and mark out the way. But they do not dispense us from making the personal effort of carrying them over into our own lives so that they may be comprehensible for others and express a shining witness for all people, both within the Church and outside of it. With the directives of the Church in my heart and keeping my eyes fixed on the experiences and problems of humanity, I sought an image that could shed light on the figure of the priest today – who is he? How does he appear to us? In my search I came across a text that can provide that answer to the question about the priest’s identity today, even though it does not mention the priesthood at all. This is the great attraction of modern times: to penetrate to the highest contemplation while mingling with everyone, one person alongside others. I would say even more: to lose oneself in the crowd in order to fill it with the divine, like a piece of bread dipped in wine. I would say even more: made sharers in God’s plans for humanity, to embroider patterns of light on the crowd, and at the same time to share with our neighbour shame, hunger, troubles, brief joys. Because the attraction of our times, as of all times, is the highest conceivable expression of the human and the divine, Jesus and Mary: the Word of God, a carpenter’s son; the Seat of Wisdom, a mother at home.[1] This text of Chiara Lubich speaks to me of our times and highlights the priest as God’s answer to our world today. This text speaks to me of Jesus Christ and makes me understand the priest from this point of departure: Christ. This text speaks to me of being a Christian – and reveals to me the life of the priest from this point of departure: the life of an ordinary Christian. This text speaks to me of the Church – and shows me the place and meaning of the priest within the Church.” (To be continued)
[1]. Chiara Lubich,
Essential Writings, New City Press, New York and New City, London (English translation), 2007, p. 169. Forthcoming events:
19 August 2014 – 22 August 2014
A meeting promoted by the Focolare Movement for young priests, deacons, seminarians and young people attracted to the priesthood.
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25 Jul 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Despondency prevails among the people of Gaza. The only thing that helps are the words of the Pope and the support of prayers from around the world, as a young woman from the Focolare Movement recounts. She lives in the Gaza Strip and for safety reasons will remain anonymous. R. “There is no respite to the conflict, we only sees death, destruction and refugees on the road. It seems so inconceivable, you can’t believe it. Near to us there’s a UN school for refugees, some seventy people live there in 50 square metres, taking cover under the trees. How can you find peace in this situation? D. – How has your life changed since the conflict began? R. –Sincerely, we’re already a bit dead. Before and after this war nothing has changed. There’s no electricity, water or work. The young are psychologically dying. You speak with them and it’s like talking to a seventy-year-old who has no more expectations or hope in life. The only ambition is to have at least a bit of electricity for a couple of hours a day and to find a bit of fuel. D. –Until now both Hamas and Israel authorities have been saying that it cannot stop, that they must finish what has been begun. Do you also think so? R. –We don’t have any expectations. All we have is prayer. We turn to God and entrust ourselves to Him, because there is no government that can help us, neither Arab nor foreign, not even the UN can do anything. D. – Then how can this situation be changed? R. –If things were to change it would only be because those with the power and responsibility had remembered that God sees everything they are doing. Only God can make the difference, only God can change the hearts that are full of hate, only God can change this reality of death and suffering. D. – Is news getting to you about how the Pope is praying and making appeals for you? Does that news offer you some support? R. –We’ve been receiving all the messages and appeals by the Pope. We know that he is near to us and asking God for our safety with the intercession of Mary. And then all the Christian communities around us call us every day so we don’t feel alone, and they support us with their prayers. All of this helps us. D. – You belong to the Focolare Movement and therefore live a spirituality of unity that is built with mutual love, as the Gospel says. How do you put that into practice now? R. –Every day, in the morning and evening, I try to make contact with my relatives and friends to know how they’re doing. So many of them no longer have houses, because they’ve been destroyed by the bombings and we’re putting up two refugee families in our home right now. Just yesterday I was saying to them: ‘don’t think about the house, about material things. The important thing is that we’re alive and together. The important thing is that we’re here for each other’. Then, every day I give praise to God for the grace of another day to live. This is already a lot: we still exist and can still get busy doing something for each other. D. – If you could launch your own appeal, what would it be? R. –I’d like to speak to the whole world on behalf of my people, asking that everyone would return to God and remember that Muslims and Christians are a single people in Gaza, a single life and we’re all undergoing the same suffering and pain. Thanks.” Source: Vatican Radio Online 
