9 Jun 2019 | Non categorizzato
Sponsored by Focolare, a training plan extends with courses for parents and teachers The first courses began in Italy in 2014, although by the following year they had already spread worldwide. These are training courses for safeguarding minors that are sponsored by the Focolare Movement, aimed at educators and facilitators, as well as for parents and the wider community. Their objective is to build a network in order to increase the potential for prevention. “The more we are trained and aware, the more we are able to prevent situations of abuse,” says Viviana Colonnetti, a psychologist and psychotherapist who represents Focolare on the Commission for the Wellbeing and Safeguarding of Minors and one of the course coordinators. We posed her some questions. 
What vision of children inspires the movement’s training efforts? “It’s the vision that Chiara Lubich, Focolare’s founder, passed down to us: the child at the centre of our activity is another Jesus to welcome, a person to help with their wellbeing and development. It is a vision from the Gospel that leads us to recognise the dignity of everyone and promote the holistic development of a person.” What expertise is required for adults who look after minors? “They need to be emotionally balanced people who are able to listen and show empathy, manage groups of children and any eventual conflicts that arise, work as a team, and love to play and stay with the kids.” Are legal concepts regarding relating to minors also included? “There are internal regulatory norms already within the guidelines that are valid for the entire Focolare Movement, and other legal aspects that instead need to be adapted to each specific country. These rules are translated into best practices, that is, in positive and effective behaviours to be followed. We also indicate behaviours to avoid, since situations can become risky.” 
The course also covers the subject of relating to parents. What kind of relationships should be established? “We are aiming for an education pact with parents, as Pope Francis says, to work together as a team for the good of the child. This is why when we start, we propose meeting with the parents in order to structure the programme of the year together, so that the children can receive the same messages from youth leaders and facilitators that they receive at home. In addition, we propose that parents participate in some of the activities. We try to support children and teens with their difficulties, so it is important to dialogue and work together with parents.” Is the basic course the entire training? “For people in the movement who are charged with looking after children, these educative moments are part of continual training that is wider, nourished constantly with subjects that are relevant to working with minors. In addition, we have begun to work with parents and the community, after understanding that it is this fabric that guarantees the prevention of abuse. This is because, beyond the activities, it is the community that supports its members. And we have had quite positive results.” Among the movement’s representatives are also those from other agencies, associations and parishes. Have they been given a specific role? “The book Protecting childhood emerged from the experience of courses that are open to societies, associations, parishes, sports centres and organisations interested in the type of training that we offer, with our anthropological perspective. It was published last year in Argentina by Ciudad Nueva publishing. They proposed that we collect all the course material in one volume in order to reach those institutions who are not in direct contact with the Focolare. A workshop follows each presentation, which allows us to talk to professionals, educators and other people who we would not be able to reach in any other way. The book has recently come out in Brazil and will be published in Italy this coming autumn.”
Claudia Di Lorenzi
7 Jun 2019 | Non categorizzato
To live being transferred into the Other: into our neighbour, for example, who, moment by moment, is close to us: living the other’s life in all its fullness. Just as in the Trinity – and this alone is Love – the Father lives in the Son and vice versa. And their mutual Love is the Holy Spirit. When we live transferred into our brother or sister (you must lose your life to find it again), as soon as we need to return into ourselves to respond to them, we find within ourselves a Third: the Holy Spirit, who has taken the place of our emptiness. Now, we can enter into the other in various ways: pushing ourselves in like someone big who wants to get in through a small door… and this is how someone acts who does not listen to the very end (someone who does not die totally in their brother or sister who is Paradise for the self, the Kingdom for the self) and wants to give answers gathered bit by bit in his or her own head that may be inspired but are not that breath of the Holy Spirit that will give life to the other. There are those who (passionately in love with Jesus Forsaken) more willingly die than live and who listen to their brother or sister to the very end, not worried about the reply, which will be given in the end by the Holy Spirit who summarizes in few words, or in one, all the medicine for that soul.
Chiara Lubich
5 Jun 2019 | Non categorizzato
Learning to act as a “locomotive” within a group and when organising projects is vital at a time when a sense of authority is faltering, social media is dictating the law and politics seems to be in crisis everywhere. This has happened through initiatives of the Movement for Unity in Politics, NetOne, New Humanity, Sophia, Amu, New Families, Youth for Unity and others. At the beginning of the third millennium “leadership” has become a key word. Sometimes the term is misused and we no longer know what it means in practice. There are various reasons for this including the phenomenon of globalization and the digital revolution; another is the parallel crisis in traditional models of governance both on a small scale (parishes, associations, neighbourhoods …) and on a much larger scale (businesses, governments, administrations …). And this is happening almost everywhere. Many of the Focolare’s cultural bodies and agencies are interested in this topic, obviously looking at the problem from different perspectives and initiating processes that result in a synergy of disciplines. One example is the Co-governance Congress that took place last January in Castelgandolfo, organized by New Humanity, Unity in Politics and other cultural agencies in the Movement. Its content is still making an impact in various parts of the world. The congress did not propose a model so much as a style of governance based upon the principle of the charism of unity; in other words, based upon the prefix “co” that expresses a willingness not to give in to individualism and solipsism and to understand that, in part, “sovereignty” and “power” lie in those moments of striving together for the common good. The Sophia University Institute has also worked on the topic of leadership, approaching it from a range of different areas including human and social sciences, politics and economics. In particular, it is interested in leadership within the context of the “culture of unity”, drawing together many different perspectives. This is the logical consequence, if you like, of one of the slogans which were popular at the start of the gen movement in 1967-1968, in particular among some French people including Goffinet and Garoche. They published a brochure with the striking title: “Change yourself to change the world, change the world to change yourself.” At that time, there was already a need for leadership enlightened by the Gospel, rich in the contributions of the human and social sciences, attentive to the inspirations of the charism of unity. Some students and teachers from Sophia, New Humanity and the Movement for Unity, with the collaboration of other cultural agencies in the Movement, have set up a three-year project that focuses on Africa. The first stage of this project took place in Kenya in January 2019. More than 100 young people from seven countries in the region (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo) attended a meeting about African leadership. There were contributions from UNESCO, the Kenya National Commission, Caritas and Missio. “Together4Africa”, as it is called, proposes “African leadership” in a style free from overly western models and valuing all that local cultures have generated over the centuries regarding the management of power and authority. Another initiative worth noting is “Community Leadership in the Light of the Gospel”. It was promoted by NetOne and New Humanity Lebanon, again with Sophia and the Movement for Unity in the Middle East. In the region, there is need for formation to equip men and women, especially young people, to set up and lead groups, to solve local problems and to contribute to the common good of their city, their Church and their country. They also need to be able to relate to other local communities, both civil and religious. Houses need to be rebuilt but, above all, hearts and minds need to be restored and renewed. The project which has a base in Marsat offers useful training to bring life back to many young people and many ecclesial communities in Syria, Iraqi Kurdistan, Jordan and Lebanon. Obviously, different aspects of leadership are taken into account – everything from psychological, social, ecclesial, ecumenical, organisational, economic and charitable perspectives are taken into consideration. The first phase in Lebanon has been completed, the second in Aleppo, Syria is underway, while the Jordanian phase will take place between September and December 2019. The others will follow.
Michele Zanzucchi
3 Jun 2019 | Non categorizzato
Events, that include experiences and projects, organized in various European localities. It was on 9 May 1950, when Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of the European Union and the first President of the European Parliamentary Assembly, presented the declaration that announced the plan of economic cooperation aimed at forming a future federal union. Five years earlier, on 9 May 1945, Europe finally saw the end of the deadliest war that destroyed it and brought drastic change.This date was remembered throughout Europe, and various events were organized in many cities, where many communities questioned the future that citiżens of the old continent envisage today. Thousands of citizens, members of more than 300 different religious denominations participated in conferences, seminars, moments of prayer, promoted by “Together for Europe” in cities, from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, to Prague, in countries such as Slovenia, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and many others.”Together for Europe” is an international body that brings together Communities and Movements that pursue shared goals, each contributing through its own specific charism. Important events took place in Rome, Palermo and Castel Gandolfo. The group of Movements and Communities in Rome warmly welcomed the invitation to follow the six-week ‘Prayer Journey’ for Europe, from March 25 to May 9, 2019. The communities of five important Basilicas linked to the Patron Saints of Europe, participated in this prayerful event which ended with an ecumenical prayer vigil at the Roman Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles. The two events held on May 8 and May 11 focussed mainly on the economic and cultural perspective. The first event took place at ‘Spazio Europa’, which is run by the Office of the European Parliament in Italy and the Commission’s representation in Italy. In his keynote speech Prof. Leonardo Becchetti spoke about migration, finance, work, sovereignism and euroscepticism. While not sparing criticism about sovereignty principles that lead many European countries to unfruitful isolation, this economist offered new prospects that consider the “School of Civil Economy” as a new wave of proposals, an alternative to the current economic model. During the cultural evening held at Castel Gandolfo on May 11, representatives of “Together for Europe” communities were present. Prof. Alberto Lo Presti spoke about “Europe’s plan according to the Bishops of Rome”; Prof. Dimitrios Keramidas spoke on “Europe and the Patriarchate of Constantinople” and Pál Tóth on “East and West in Europe”. On May 9, 1600 people attended the conference entitled “The European society rediscovers its Christian values”. It was held at Palermo and promoted by the various Christian communities of “Together for Europe”. During their sixth edition of this event, they also presented projects and experiences; individuals and groups spoke about initiatives set up in the city to help people in need, such as: welcoming migrants, supporting the unemployed, visiting prisoners. They also spoke about choosing the road of lawfulness, working in addiction prevention programmes, especially against gambling, promoting active citizenship in risky neighbourhoods and awareness of ecological responsibility. The next event will take place in Ottmaring and Ausburg, Germany from 7 to 9 November, when the 20th anniversary of “Together for Europe” will be celebrated.
Patrizia Mazzola
31 May 2019 | Non categorizzato
A commission has been set up to prepare for the 2020 Focolare General Assembly. Indications have been given by the President Maria Voce and Co-president Jesús Morán: guarantee maximum freedom of expression for all! The indications that the President Maria Voce gave to the Commission entrusted with the preparation for the coming Focolare Movement General Assembly were brief and clear: “I expect that during the preparatory process for the next General Assembly this commission will help all members of the Movement to express themselves freely, and that a synthesis of all the material received will be compiled so that no one feels excluded. This process is to be carried out without any pre-established interests”. This commission had its first meeting at Castel Gandolfo during the weekend of 24-26 May. While preparing for the General Assembly scheduled to take place in September 2020, the commission is expected to see to the organization and to the subject-matter that will be dealt with during the Assembly. Its 18 members, who represent the Movement’s geographical areas and different branches and expressions, come from the five continents and live their call to the Movement in various forms and vocations. “The 2020 Assembly will be of particular importance,” emphasized Co-President Jesús Morán during a meeting that the Commission had with the Movement’s General Council on Sunday, May 26. After two terms of six years each, the current President Maria Voce can no longer be re-elected. A change – according to Jesús Morán – that will involve an important step further for the whole Movement. “Certainly, some crucial issues will come up for discussion,” he said. “We would like to make sure that this takes place in full freedom”. In order to guarantee this freedom, Maria Voce did not want to give any indication about the subject-matter that the 2020 Assembly will have to deal with. When asked if, on the basis of her sensitivity for the whole Movement, she has any themes to suggest, she replied: “I don’t have any and I don’t want to have any, because I would not like to impose any condition on the Movement’s present requirements”. During the coming months, the preparatory commission will have to see to various matters. It has to start a process through which it can collect the most important issues that the Movement will have to address in the coming years and on which the Assembly needs to express itself. It needs to identify people who are suitable and willing to be candidates for the roles of President, Co-President and Councillors. It has to prepare and propose a balanced programme that will enable the Assembly to work seriously and responsibly. It needs to express as much as possible all the realities of the Focolare Movement, in its most diverse cultural expressions.
Joachim Schwind
30 May 2019 | Non categorizzato
We asked young members of the Focolare Movement from different countries to give us their own take on Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation “Christus Vivit”. First we hear from Noemi Sanchez, protagonist at the preparatory meeting of the Synod of Catholic Bishops on Young People in 2018. 
Noemi (28) is from Paraguay, of Brazilian heritage, currently completing a research doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Perugia, Italy. In March 2018 she participated in the pre-synodal meeting convened by the Pope in order to listen to young people from all over the world and prepare the subsequent Synod on Youth with them and for them. The apostolic exhortation “Christus Vivit” is one of the outcomes of this intergenerational process. Many young people have already read it and spread it among their own groups and peers. – In this document, the Pope repeatedly stresses the need for the Church to listen to young people. Has this been happening? I think the whole process around the Synod of October 2018 has been a clear example of the Church’s sincere desire to listen to us and welcome us wholeheartedly. There were 300 of us at the pre-Synod, from many different countries. We were free to say whatever we thought, as the Pope himself invited us to do. The “adults” listened to us and encouraged dialogue with us. What matters now is that this two-way experience between generations should take place in different environments, in parishes and Christian communities. – More than once, the Pope refers to the restlessness so characteristic of youth. Do you believe that it’s possible to listen to the voice of God in the midst of all the sounds, voices and digital stimuli which bombard us today? The Pope coins the phrase “flying on their two feet” because actually we young people are never really still, but always looking out for something. However, we also hit limits caused by our lack of experience, for example, or the fear of making a big mistake in any decisive choice. “High speed” is not enough, we also need meaning. Encouragement from being around the generations above us is always crucial to achieve this, and never more so than today with all its “false alarms”. Having experienced it for myself, I believe that the voice of God always makes itself heard through the “amplifiers” of love. – Why do you think it is so few young people today want to embark upon a serious journey of faith? What’s lacking and what are they searching for? I think there are many reasons for this: a growing disillusionment, ignorance or even laziness. Many of us don’t have a deep knowledge of the faith, and so we young people can become victims of the “rootless” society the Pope condemns all the time. At the same time, we feel a strong desire to get involved in social causes, there is a widespread sensitivity to the arts, as well as the desire to build lasting and meaningful relationships, to live authentically for something that gives meaning to our life, looking for authentic role models. I definitely think today’s youth are searching for God, it’s just they are not always aware of it. – In your opinion, what is the real contribution the Synod on Youth and this apostolic exhortation are having on the life of the Church, and in particular on the young people in the Church? This Synod has undoubtedly brought to light something new (a novum) in the history of the Church as regards methodology and its realistic approach. What came out most, I think, was inter-religious dialogue and how essential and enriching it is for the whole life of the Church. The Exhortation is a real treasure for all young people, not only Catholics. When I read it, rather than a formal document of the Church, it seemed more like a long letter from your grandfather, or from an old friend who loves you and really knows how to get through to you. Someone who can tell you what you need in this particular moment of your life in order not to fall away but how to get up, and keep on trying again and again. To keep on believing in beauty, in good, in love, in the truest nature of humanity – which is also divine. To believe in the possibility of reaching full happiness whatever sufferings and problems are part of life. To learn how to overcome them with courage and commitment
edited by Stefania Tanesini
