Interdependence Day “Individuals, peoples and states for a united world”

9 Sep 2004 | Focolare Worldwide

Interdependence Day “Individuals, peoples and states for a united world”

Faced with the real danger of conflict between different civilisations, the idea of positive interdependence emerged as a way of facing up to the challenge offered by the post-global society, that of “knowing how to live together”. In order to go beyond the vision of an interdependence that is merely economic or financial, positive interdependence promotes interdependence between individuals, peoples and states for a future based on peace, dialogue, social justice and universal brotherhood. The initiative On 11 and 12 September the second Interdependence Day will be held in Rome. The first one took place on 12 September 2003 in Philadelphia, on the initiative of Benjamin Barber of the University of Maryland (USA), founder of Civ-World. The choice of date was not just by chance – it is the day after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. This seemed like the most appropriate date for the Civ-World project, given the new need for interdependence that these attacks so tragically provoked. The importance of this initiative is that it reinforces the idea of positive interdependence as a way of facing up to the challenge of “knowing how to live together”, as essential for helping human beings to live together peacefully, to bring to the world of politics and to introduce into our various cultures. Interdependence is the global condition in which each one of us, singly or as a group, lives, works, breathes and thinks. The more we become aware of this, the more rapid will be the progress of this positive attitude in humanity. Faced with a negative interdependence organised by crime, by terrorism or by an interdependence that is merely economic or financial, conflict between different civilisations is inevitable. The quest for positive interdependence between peoples and nations will contribute to the maturation of a culture of peace, dialogue, solidarity and universal brotherhood. The aim of the meeting is to promote the idea of positive interdependence between individuals, peoples and states, working together to identify common projects at local, national, European and international levels. The promoters of the congress, together with the Rome City Council and Benjamin Barber’s Civ-World Movement are : ACLI, Legambiente, the Movement for Unity in Politics, the Focolare Movement and the St Egidio Community. These very different organisations will come together, each with its own particular gifts, to discover how to form “global citizens” capable of building a “global civic society” in which reciprocity and genuine dialogue between different peoples and cultures will be the norm. There are two main parts to the programme: � An evening of commemoration of the victims of terrorism and of all wars. It will also include dialogue between the great monotheistic religions (Piazza del Campidoglio) � A morning session in which the concept of interdependence is investigated, led by important international figures from various cultural backgrounds (“Auditorium di Roma”).

Fraternity in politics – a way of putting history back, on the path to peace

8 Sep 2004 | Focolare Worldwide

   ANSA, Sept. 4 – Fraternity in politics. “This is the key to putting the history of our countries and of humanity back on the road to peace,” said Chiara Lubich, Focolare foundress, to an audience of 450 Swiss politicians and youth, assembled at the Convention Palace of Bern, Switzerland. The Convention, promoted by a group of Swiss politicians of the Political Movement for Unity, aimed at reflecting on the question, “Fraternity in politics – utopia or necessity?” Fraternity in politics is not only necessary but urgent It became evident that – against the background of the tragic virulence of terrorism, fraternity, proposed as a “basic political category,” is not only necessary, it is urgent! “Nothing could be more timely than fraternity in politics, in the face of terror, death and violence,” affirmed Ms. Annemarie Huber Holz, Chancellor of the Swiss Confederation. Switzerland is undergoing a profound crisis of change Fraternity shows itself to be more than ever a necessity for the survival of Switzerland itself, defined by national councillor Chiara Simoneschi as “quite special” since it arose not from a common culture and language, but from the will to remain together. “Our country is now undergoing a deep crisis,” she continued, “challenged as it is by the building of Europe, by the need for a new balance in world geo-politics, by the phenomenon of migration and by a long economic stagnancy.” Simoneschi spoke of fears and uncertainties, divisions and counteractions. This was the motive behind the invitation extended to Chiara Lubich.

Broader horizons The Focolare foundress opened up broad horizons. “To silence and weaken terrorism, violence is not the answer,” she affirmed. It is necessary to go to “the root causes of economic and social imbalance that generate resentment, hostility and revenge… We have to seek out the ways of dialogue, political and diplomatic ways.” A politics substantiated by fraternity is urgent. Fraternity which she defined as “not only a value or a method but a global paradigm of political development;” “fraternity which is possible only if the spiritual dimension is not neglected,” nor those profound values inspired by love. “That love which is a wellspring of light,” Chiara continued, “which indicates the possibility of important results and takes the place of that oppressive fear which often runs through the political world.”

Love the other’s party as one’s own Such light shows that “every political option is a response to a need of society; therefore it can act out the apparent paradox of loving the other’s party as one’s own, because the good of the country needs the effort of all.” “Then criticism becomes constructive.” This is “the true, authoritative, politics which every country needs.” Fraternity in politics is not only necessary but possible. A series of experiences shared by Swiss and Italian politicians who adhere to the Political Movement for Unity (born in 1996 and now present in different countries) followed, showing that brotherhood in politics is not only necessary but possible. The afternoon program consisted in a lively exchange between the politicians and youth participants at the Convention.

Dialogue among religions spawns a strategy of brotherhood for building a new world

24 Jun 2004 | Focolare Worldwide

“What future lies ahead for a multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious society?” This ever more widely diffused question, particularly felt in English society (the most cosmopolitan in Europe), was the topic dealt with by Chiara Lubich when she addressed a public of 2,000 at Westminster Central Hall. Also present was Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Archbishop of London, as well as Muslim, Buddhist and Sikh leaders. The title of the meeting, promoted by the Focolare Movement of Great Britain, was “Imagine a world … where diversity is richness.” A strategy of brotherhood needed for a change in international relations While there is talk of a perilous conflict among cultures due to terrorism, the Focolare foundress proposed interreligious dialogue as a way to prevent it. Furthermore, according to her, this dialogue could trigger that “strategy of brotherhood, which is capable of activating a turnabout in international relations.”

A new world can be born from a multiethnic and multireligious society Tracing a parallelism between our times, where such profound changes are taking place, and those of St. Augustine of Hippo who had witnessed the upheaval of society under the pressure of the migration of different peoples, Chiara in concordance with him, affirmed that what is now happening is “the birth of a new world.” For Chiara the new world of the third millenium will be characterized by the unity of the human family, enriched by diversities, in accordance with God’s plan. A miniature sample of this new world was seen from the rich succession of life experiences shared, songs and dances along with African and Oriental colors and rhythms, the discourses delivered by representatives of different religions (such as Iranian Imam Mohammed Somali, and Madame Didi Athavale, leader of the great Hindu Movement called “Swadhyaya Family”). How can we bring about dialogue among religions? Dialogue – Chiara Lubich remarked – should be animated by that measure of love which reaches the point of “getting into the other’s skin,” because it makes itself a “nothingness of love” in front of the other person, it creates that space of acceptance and listening which paves the way to “the respectful announcement of the Gospel.” In this regard, the Focolare foundress cited the words pronounced by Pope John Paul II in India: “When we open ourselves one to the other, we also open ourselves to God and allow God to be present in our midst.” In Him there is “that secret force which gives vigor and success to our efforts, so as to bring unity and universal brotherhood everywhere.”

A vision shared by leaders of different religions and by politicians, too The same concept had been expressed by the leader of the Imams of the United Kingdom, Dr. Zaki Badawi and by the spiritual leader of the Sikhs of Great Britain and Europe, Bai Sahib Mohinder Singh of Birmingham, who delivered their speeches after Chiara Lubich. Baroness Kathleen Richardson of the House of Lords recalled that “immediately after the war, the United Nations gathered for their First Plenary Assembly right in Westminster Central Hall. She added that the world vision which was expressed that day was even richer because it was not built only upon human aspirations but upon our participation in the love of God. New technologies at the service of brotherhood among peoples Unity and universal brotherhood. This was a living experience at Westminster Central Hall which, as proven by the many fax and e-mail received, brought a wave of hope in the numerous countries of America, Australia, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, which were linked via satellite, thanks to Telepace and Internet. Here are some news flashes. From Bulgaria: “We have been taken up into the wave of brotherhood among religions and cultures which we also want to see become a reality in our country where the Muslims, who are almost a million here, remind us of a wound of the past.” From Ireland: “We have actually experienced a portion of brotherhood made possible by admiring the beauty and richness of the different faiths and cultures. This day has marked a new journey full of hope, now that Ireland is becoming increasingly multicultural.” From Stockholm: “We have had a glimpse of the solution to violence in the world, a new hope that unity and peace are possible.”

Wednesday, June 16, upon the invitation of the Rector of St. Mary’s College (of the State University of Surrey, London), Chiara Lubich gave an address on “The new Movements and the Marian profile.” Her talk concluded a series of conferences on “Mission and Evangelization”. Last year, the series was dedicated to Cardinals Connell, Pulic, Grinze, Napier, Williams, Daly, O’Connor and Stafford, while this year it was about the Movements, communities and ecclesial spiritualities.

Fraternity as a political category – the antidote to terrorism and a safeguard for the common good

24 Jun 2004 | Focolare Worldwide

  Much is said about liberty and equality, but what about fraternity? This was the main question posed by Chiara Lubich’s address, which she delivered at Westminster Palace, seat of the British Parliament. Also present were David Lammy, Minister of Constitutional Affairs (of African descent), and a Protestant member of the Unionist Party of Northern Ireland. This was the last stage of the Focolare foundress’ trip to Great Britain, following her meetings with top Anglican, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh leaders, which have opened up new horizons. “Today a veil of skepticism hangs over politics, and we can’t get beyond it. People do not want to hear electoral campaigns anymore… Power cunningly corrupts those who have it in their hands … How can we hold on to power and at the same time fix our gaze on the objective of the common good?” These are just some of the points raised in the dialogue that took place between the politicians and Chiara Lubich.

The vision of politics presented by the Focolare foundress was definitely innovative. She referred to the threefold slogan of the French Revolution, noting that with time liberty and equality have “become juridical principles and are applied as true and proper political categories.” She asked that the same recognition be accorded to fraternity. Only when these three aspects are taken together can politics respond to the emergencies of today, including terrorism. In this regard, she traced one of its basic causes to the growing gap between the rich and poor. Only fraternity can foster the circulation of goods and put solidarity in motion, she said.

Utopia? Chiara Lubich cited the facts: over 3,000 politicians in different countries have already assumed fraternity as a political category. They are politicians from Europe and Latin America. They make up the Movement for Unity in Politics, launched by Chiara Lubich about 10 years ago. Giuseppe Gambale, member of the Italian Parliament, bore witness to this initiative, which by now has given rise to numerous activities. To cite just one, deputies of different parties have set in motion “a multi-lateral working group, aimed at introducing reforms in international cooperation, a job which has remained stagnant for years in the Foreign Affairs Commission. As a result, various points of convergence among existing bill proposals have been discovered. This is an example of a concrete contribution to tackling the wide economic and social imbalance between the northern and the southern hemispheres.” In the context of an ever more conflictual kind of politics, fraternity means revising one’s attitude towards political adversaries, Chiara Lubich added. “One realizes that every political formation may be the answer to a social need, and is therefore necessary for the common good. Criticism can turn out to be constructive, to the point that one arrives at practicing the apparent paradox of loving the other’s party as one’s own, because the good of the country needs the work of everybody.” She went on to say, “This is the true politics that every country needs. Power confers strength, but it is love which bestows authority.” The meeting between Chiara Lubich and the politicians is the kind that will have continuity, one which promises that the periodic meetings which are already being held in other countries will take place in London, too.

Chiara Lubich in audience with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Rowan Williams

24 Jun 2004 | Focolare Worldwide

Chiara Lubich’s first appointment was at Lambeth Palace, in audience with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, Primate of the Church of England. Chiara Lubich herself spoke about this audience during a press conference in London:

“Archbishop Williams was particularly interested in our experience of interreligious dialogue. He asked me what our secret was. I referred to the Novo Millennio Ineunte, where the Pope deals in depth with the mystery of Jesus who, on the cross, cried out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ After having lost his mother, his disciples and soon afterwards his very life, Jesus also lost his sense of unity with the Father, which meant everything to him. Jesus was reduced to nothing. This is a point of our spirituality of communion, which teaches us to be ‘nothing’ in front of people of other religions, to be a ‘nothingness of love’ to be able to ‘enter’ in them, because – as we said – we must ‘know how to get into the other’s skin’, to the point of understanding what it means for them to be Buddhists, Muslims, or Hindus. But we can enter in others if we are nothing. Jesus Forsaken is our model for this.” “We also spoke about other subjects, such as the ecumenical movement; the commitment that we – together with a large number of Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical and Orthodox movements – have taken upon ourselves to contribute towards making the “Europe of the Spirit” a reality. Being a theologian, he was very interested in this topic.” “I was greatly impressed by the quality of the relationship between Chiara and the Archbishop,” commented Callan Slipper, minister of the Church of England and focolarino, who was present at the audience. “The Archbishop had an attitude of profound openness, he is one who knows how to listen and appreciate. This attitude was evident from the very first moment when, after Chiara had named all the preceding Primates of the Church of England she had come to know, the Archbishop jokingly remarked, ‘Then you know the Church of England better than I do!’ When he was informed of Chiara’s appointments during her visit, he affirmed that what was about to take place in those days was very timely because “we have great need of it both as a nation and as a Church.” The ecumenical page of Focolare relations with the Church of England began in 1961, with Archdeacon Bernard Pawley, who had met Chiara Lubich in Rome. Later, some Anglican ministers participated at a meeting among Catholics and Evangelical Lutherans in Grottaferrata (Rome). They were deeply touched by the atmosphere created by reciprocal love, which made them recognize one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. In 1966, at Lambeth Palace, London, Chiara met the then Primate of the Church of England, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, for the first time. “I can see God’s hand in this Work,” he told Chiara, encouraging her to spread the spirituality of the Movement in the Church of England. Later Chiara also met his successors: Coggan, Runcie and Carey. In Great Britain the Focolare Movement includes Catholics, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists. At Welwyn Garden City, an “ecumenical little town” is coming to life. It is the unity that lies at the heart of the Focolare spirituality, which particularly draws the interest of Anglicans.

“Imagine a world… where diversity is richness”

17 Jun 2004 | Focolare Worldwide

 In London, the most cosmopolitan capital of Europe and throughout Great Britain, the gathering entitled “Imagine a world… where diversity is richness” is gaining wider and wider interest. Through talks, reflections, life experiences, and artistic numbers, the meeting aims at expressing the common commitment of Christians of different denominations and ecclesial communities and of followers of other religions to build a world of peace and unity in brotherhood. The chosen venue is significant: Westminster Central Hall, where the First General Assembly of the United Nations was held in 1946, and where Mahatma Gandhi spoke in 1941. Chiara Lubich will tackle the most widespread question: “What lies ahead for a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious society?”. She is an awardee of the 1996 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education, foundress and president of the Focolare Movement. Right in London, when she received the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1977, the Movement received a decisive impetus in the direction of interreligious dialogue. Since then the Movement all over the world has channeled its efforts in this direction. Some 2,000 participants are expected – people belonging to different Churches, as well as representatives of different religions (Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus, for example). Among the leading personalities who have accepted the invitation are: Sikh leader Bhai Sahib Ji Mohinder Singh of Birmingham; Dr. Zaki Badawi, President of the Council of Imams and of Mosques in Great Britain; and Madame Didi Athavale, leader of a widespread Hindu movement, the Swadhyaya Family. Anglican Bishop Tom Butler, leader of the organization “Interreligious Network for Great Britain”; Glasgow Archbishop Mario Conti who is particularly involved in ecumenism; a well as Baroness Shirley Williams, well-known personality and leader of the liberal democrats in the House of Lords will also be present. On June 15 (Tuesday), Chiara Lubich was received in audience at Lambeth Palace by the Archbishop of Canturbury, Rowan Williams, Primate of the Church of England (Anglican Church) and First inter-pares (first among equals) among the Primates of the Anglican communion worldwide. Dr. Williams assumed this position on February 27, 2003. The ecumenical chapter of interrelationships with the Anglican Church started in 1965, when a number of Anglican ministers participated at a meeting in Grottaferrata (Rome) among Catholics and Evangelical Lutherans. They were touched by the atmosphere of reciprocal love which led them to recognize each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. In 1966, in London, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, then Primate of the Church of England, met Chiara at Lambeth Palace. He told her, “I can see God’s hand in this Work,” and encouraged her to spread the spirituality of the Movement in the Church of England. His successors, Coggan, Runcie and Carey were of like mind. The following day (June 16, Wednesday), upon the invitation of the Rector of St. Mary’s College (of the state university of Surrey, London), Chiara Lubich gave an address on “The new Movements and the Marian profile.” Her talk concluded a series of conferences on “Mission and Evangelization”. Last year, the series was dedicated to Cardinals Connell, Pulic, Grinze, Napier, Williams, Daly, O’Connor and Stafford, while this year it was about the Movements, communities and ecclesial spiritualities.