16 Mar 2004 | Focolare Worldwide
Ireland is characterized by a profound age-old Christian tradition, yet in recent decades, partially due to the country’s recent economic boom, a wave of de-Christianization has produced marked effects on the people. The president of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Sean Brady, invited Chiara Lubich to speak to a group of bishops on the topic of the Church as Communion and about her experience on evangelization. During the dialogue, the bishops expressed their grave concern about the difficult moment Ireland is experiencing, particularly with respect to younger generations. Chiara highlighted the need to provide young people with credible role models. The dialogue also addressed relations with other religions, politics, collegiality and the family. Searching for the light: recurring motif of Ireland’s age-old history The re-discovery of the age-old roots of Ireland’s 5,000-year history; the beginning of evangelization with St. Patrick in the 5th century; the missionary era; the current crisis which demonstrates the search for that light woven throughout Irish history; the arrival of persons introducing the charism of unity 30 years ago, and its development – these were the highlights represented through the artistic and musical presentations offered during the Focolare family celebration of about 1000 members with Chiara Lubich, held at the University of Dublin. There were numerous representatives from Northern Ireland and other counties. Chiara encouraged everyone to put the spirit of brotherhood into action in relations between Catholics and Protestants and with people of other religions, particularly Muslims, now that for the first time Ireland is becoming a land of immigrants. The experiences shared by the Irish community made a strong impression. For example, a young girl spoke about her search for God in the midst of the turbulent lifestyle of the youth. A couple from Northern Ireland shared how they withstood the temptation to hate, even amidst bombings and threats, so as to make that love which builds bridges between the Protestant and Catholic communities of Ulster triumph. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Coadjutor Bishop of Dublin, present at the meeting, encouraged everyone to practice and help spread the charism of unity. He said that it “reinforces unity among Christians and helps create an ecumenism of hearts, where love is alive in each person and helps us to understand one another better and overcome the tensions caused by division.”
Inauguration of the little town “Mariapolis Lieta”, a “laboratory of unity” As a conclusion to Chiara’s visit, the inauguration of the little town of the Movement, “Mariapolis Lieta”, was particularly significant. In the context of Irish political and Church life, it aims to be an example of a world renewed by the Gospel. A number of civic and religious dignitaries were present at the inauguration.
Those who sowed and developed the Ideal of unity in Ireland More than once during this visit to Ireland, those who had sowed and developed the Ideal of unity in Ireland were remembered, for example, those who were the first to hear about it, adopt its lifestyle and foster its growth, persons such as Margaret Neylon and her son Eddie who was the first gen, a young man who, confined to a wheel chair, offered a luminous example of love. Particularly touching was the moment when the picture of Lieta, an Argentinian focolarina, was unveiled during the inauguration of the little town that bears her name. From the early 70’s until her death in 2002, Lieta devoted herself to the growth of the Focolare spirit in Ireland. Also very much alive in the hearts of all was Joe McNamara, one of the first married focolarini and the focolarino Stephen Lukong from Cameroon, who lived in the focolare house in Ireland and who died quite suddenly just a few days before Chiara’s planned visit. His last days were particularly characterized by a deep spiritual experience. The names of these precious friends are now immortalized also in the names of the streets and the squares of the little town.
25 Dec 2003 | Focolare Worldwide
Message of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, Beloved Brothers in the Lord, Dear Chiara, We embrace you warmly and greet you with the apostolic greeting: Grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. It is with mixed feelings that we address your blessed gathering. We wish that we could stand in your midst and “speak face to face, that our joy would be fulI” (2 John 1:12). Unfortunately, this opportunity was taken from us suddenly and violently, due to the recent terrorist attacks, which spread death, sorrow and chaos throughout our City. These awful attacks became the unfortunate reason for your not coming here, and for having your meeting in Rome, instead of Constantinople, New Rome, as it was originally scheduled. Our prayer is that peace and order will very soon reign again in this City and throughout the entire globe, and that we will have the pleasure of your presence here in the coming year, 2004. In our times that can be described by a lack of stability and safety, and in our world that has not yet seen ‘peace on earth and good will towards men” (Luke 2:14), it is very promising and joyful that there are individuals, organisations or movements, like the beloved Focolari movement, who have realized that their and the world’s unity in Christ is the fundamental element of truth and life. It is even more promising as they have made the realization of this unity the main purpose of their activities in their devoted lives. It is this unity, the unity in Christ, that our beloved brother His Holiness Pope John Paul II was talking about when, saddened by the incomprehensible persistence of people to separate their hearts, he said, “what humanity needs is bridges, and not walls”. He spoke these words like a true Pontifex. It is this unity which is the theme of your discussions for this year’s meeting as well; “for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (GaI. 3:28). The promise of God to Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed came true through the incarnation of our Lord. This blessing was real because in the spiritual life there is no difference between Jew and Greek, slave and free man, man and woman. They are all one, all equal in the eyes of God, equally invited to the sacred banquet of His Kingdom and have equal opportunities for salvation. This new reality, which at that time was a scandal to all, abolishes racism and social and sexual discrimination. It unites us under the same purpose: that God’s peace and justice may prevail on the earth and the salvation of humankind. However, the unity between individuals and societies is not enough. Couples are easily divorced, friendships change and terminate and conditions are easily retracted. We cannot only attempt to be one with each other as humans but we also must be united with Christ. This is the real meaning of the phrase “in Christ Jesus”. It means to be together with Him, to be one with Him. This is the unity of the spirit that is the strongest bond between humans as well, and brings together people that do not even know one another. This is because in Christ, all differences are resolved. The way to achieve this spiritual unity is given to us in the Gospels. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). Thus, the knowledge of God does not come only through studying about Him, but from the keeping His commandments. If someone knows everything about Christ but does not keep His commandments and does not live according to His holy will, then he is far from the Spirit of God, and therefore far from his fellow human beings. What is required for this type of unity is love. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). So it is with love that we keep the commandments of our Lord. This is the message that Christ brought to the world and the apostles spread to all nations. We believe this is the message that the Focolari movement has come together to proclaim to the world. Only if we truly love our Lord God will we keep His commandments and be united to Him and to one another. Only then we will be able to repeat the words of St. Paul, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal. 2:20), who was united with the world. Once again we are sorry that we could not be together for these discussions but we pray that our Lord God will bless all of you and all of your deliberations. And although we are not together, we are united through our love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Message of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams to H.E.Cardinal Miloslav Vlk 25 November 2003 Your Eminence, It gives me great pleasure to send my greetings for the 2003 Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops – Friends of the Focolare Movement. I understand the meeting has been relocated from Istanbul to Rome, following the latest terrorist atrocities which took place in the same week as my own visit there. I am sure that your prayers will be with those in the city who have been so devastated by this violence. In such circumstances, none of us requires any reminder that the love of God, tangibly expressed, is needed as much as ever in our troubled and divided world. Please be assured of my prayers as you reflect together on the continuing relevance of Chiara Lubich’s inspirational ideals and as you consider how the work of the Focolare Movement can best be encouraged. Yours very sincerely in Christ, + Rowan, Archbishop of Canterbury
6 Oct 2003 | Focolare Worldwide
25 Jun 2003 | Focolare Worldwide
“Notwithstanding the spiritual crisis that human civilization is undergoing today, Christianity is capable of continual self-renewal.” These words, pronounced by the Rector of the State University of Trnava in Slovakia, contain the most profound meaning of the solemn ceremony which was held this morning – not in the Aula Magna of the Slovakian Athaeneum, but rather in the main hall of the Mariapolis Center of Castelgandolfo, where the top academic authorities of the University conferred an honorary doctoral degree in theology on Chiara Lubich.
Displayed onstage were the flags of Slovakia, of the European Community and of Italy – an eloquent image, indeed, when one considers that Slovakia is among the 10 countries soon to be admitted to the European Union in May 2004. The speeches offered a clear sense of the continuously vigorous Christian roots of Slovakian culture, roots that originally gave rise to the University of Trnava in 1635.
The words of the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof. Ladislav Csontos, who promoted this award of recognition, revealed the heroism – lived out under the Communist regime – of professors as well as students of the Institute of Theology, founded by the Jesuits and later merged with the University of Trnava in 1992. These people were mostly secular and religious order priests secretly ordained. The Dean’s talk also brought to the fore the intense activity which – notwithstanding the regime – permitted the updating of the studies offered at the University with the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. To this can be attributed the dialogic style assumed by the Faculty at all levels, with frequent recourse to interdisciplinary seminars in the sciences, as well as conferences and publications. “For these reasons, Chiara Lubich’s theology of unity and dialogue is closely connected to the spirit of our Faculty, and this contribution of hers is, for us, the principal motive for proposing the honorary doctoral degree,” the Dean stated, as he offered a description of their university’s newest doctor. He defined the foundress of the Focolare as “a key-figure in the ecumenical movement and in interreligious dialogue.” He also recalled that Chiara’s work came to be known in Slovakia through the Movement which took root there during the Communist regime and gave great spiritual support to those who adhered to its ideals, and brought the spirit of Vatican II to the local Church.”
The University Rector also mentioned that Chiara Lubich has introduced “avenues” and “new models” of inter-personal relationships based on dialogue and the practice of living according to Jesus’ “new commandment” in the Gospel. Their innovative repercussions – he added – can be felt in the economic, political and cultural sectors. “We need to build the unity of the world on this spiritual foundation or else we will perish,” he affirmed.
20 Jun 2003 | Focolare Worldwide
30 May 2003 | Focolare Worldwide
The Brandenburg Gate, monumental symbol of Berlin, was the site of the opening ceremonies of the first national ecumenical Kirchentag. The key liturgical celebration was presided over jointly by the Catholic Archbishop, Georg Cardinal Sterzinsky and the Lutheran Bishop of Brandenburg City and State, Wolfgang Huber.
It was indeed a historic event, for the following reasons: the venue chosen for the Kirchentag, its enormous implications, the ecumenical thrust from the grassroots which its participants – almost 200,000 in all – wanted to contribute. High-ranking authorities were present, including the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Johannes Rau, Grand Chancellor Gerard Schroeder, and Mayor Klaus Wowereit.
A significant fact happened just an hour before the liturgical celebration. The announcer opened the program with the words: “Finally, finally the long-awaited moment has come…”, but it was impossible for him to continue because of the jubilant cry from the audience, which was almost like an explosion of the yearnings, the hopes and the painful moments overcome…
Seeing the crowd and hearing this shout of joy, only one idea prevailed: “Yes, the time was ripe for this moment to happen.”
From the very beginning of the liturgy, those present lived through moments of joy, enthusiasm as well as deep spiritual recollection, in the awareness that Christ was the centre of all that was happening.
“The events that are taking place here during these days are important for the whole of society, and extend far beyond the Christian Churches”, said President Johannes Rau to underline the importance of such an event in the land where the Reformation began.
Pope John Paul II’s message, offered in a largely “evangelical” key, was interrupted many times by applause. He said, among other things, “The Kirchentag should become a great ecumenical sign, for our communion in the faith is much stronger and more important than whatever divides us still.”
The Holy Father continued by encouraging those present to raise their voices in unison to defend the values of family and life. He also spoke of residual sufferings due to the lack of unity among Christians.
“It is necessary for us to bring back our thoughts to the basis of our faith. It makes me happy to see that the Ecumenical Kirchentag has decided to re-declare this as the “Year of the Bible” (ecumenical project in Germany this year). I encourage you to pray with the Bible, to read and meditate on God’s word and to interpret your life according to the message which was revealed to us by God and was transmitted through the centuries by the community of the faithful.”
The Pope stressed that conversion is a necessary condition for ecumenism. “God wants us to be one so that the world may believe!” He encouraged all to continue their efforts in the ecumenical journey “with sensitivity and respect, with patience and courage, in respect for the truth and with authentic love.”
He concluded by saying: “If you submit yourselves together to God’s blessing, then you yourselves will become, ever more, a blessing one for the other and for the world, especially in those places where there is suffering and anguish.”
The next speaker was Gerard Schröder, Grand Chancellor of Germany:
“In spite of secularisation a signal shall rise up from Germany during these days, saying: ‘The Church is alive. It is full of vitality and especially young people are attracted to it.’”
As the crowd passed through the Brandenburg Gate, many participants expressed the hope that this might be a symbolic act which could tear down the invisible wall which still divides our Churches.
In the evening there was a festival on the streets in the centre of Berlin, organised by parishes as well as other groups, movements and associations. It seemed that Christians had taken over the city, Christians who were modern and youthful, joyful and open … the kind of Christianity which could really be in fashion again!
The motto and the four interest camps
The motto chosen for these days was “May you be a blessing”, and one could try to get a deeper understanding of it by joining one of the four “interest camps” of the Ecumenical Day of the Churches.
1. Showing one’s faith – living in dialogue
2. Searching for unity – meeting each other in our diversities
3. Respecting human dignity – safeguarding freedom
4. Life in the world – responsible action
Each of these “interest camps” was comprised by a large number of meetings, prayer sessions, round-table discussions, conferences and the most varied sorts of projects. It took a 720-page booklet to illustrate the program which took place during those days.
