Focolare Movement

Chiara Lubich and World Religions: The “rule” of dialogue

Mar 16, 2014

The unity of the human family was what guided Chiara in her mission on earth. On her sixth anniversary we recall her contribution to the promotion of mutual understanding among the faithful of different religions.

Chiara Lubich dreamed of unity in the world, the discovery that even amidst differences of culture, ethnicity and religious tradition, all people are brothers and sisters who can live for peace and universal harmony. This was the goal for which she lived and worked and it was the specific purpose of her charism and of the Focolare Movement which she founded. A foundational moment in the Focolare’s journey was the award ceremony in London, England, where Chiara Lubich received the Templeton Prize for progress in religion. There she had the strong sense that the audience, although from so many different faiths, formed a single family. This intuition sparked the Movement’s dialogue with people of all religious traditions.  The Focolare’s spreading around the world facilitated the development of interreligious dialogue with orthodox, conservative and reformed Jews; Sunni and Shiite Muslims; Hindus;  Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists; and followers of traditional religions in Africa and other aboriginal cultures. There are also contacts with Taoists, Shintoists, Sikhs and Baha’i. This dialogue focuses on the centrality of love which is summarized by the Golden Rule found in all the main religions and cultures of the world: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This dialogue has led people to a deeper relationship with God (the Absolute); to a rediscovery of their own religious or traditional roots; to an attitude of openness that leads to trust, understanding and friendship. The experience of the Focolare in this field has shown that our diversities can be gifts when we pursue what unites us. And the appreciation of one another’s gifts has led to symposiums and studies; efforts to bring brotherhood into places where violence and intolerance prevail. It has contributed to the healing of the social fabric, easing tensions and integrating communities that are in conflict. There have been many significant examples of humanitarian projects carried out in common. On March 20, 2014, there will be an event at the Urbania University of Rome, dedicated to Chiara Lubich and Religions: Together for the Unity of the Human Family. The gathering will highlight her efforts for interreligious dialogue, six years after her death. The event also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions, Nostra Aetate.

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