On Saturday, 6 November, a Portuguese business park of the Economy of Communion (EOC) opened its dorrs in the Focolare town in Abrigada-Alenquer.

Two-hundred-fifty persons were present, among them the Mayor of Alenquer, a few deputies, businessmen and economists. Professor Luigino Bruni, an economist, and businessman Alberto Ferrucci from the Central Commission of the EOC spoke, during their speeches, of the importance of the business park of the EOC in a Focolare town (presently there are 35 such towns on five continents), as a testimony to a new economic culture, which is capable of bringing down the walls of capitalism and the individualism of our times.

Economist and Professor Manuela Silva underlined the vital importance of this, highlighting the prophetic vision of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare, concerning the Economy of Communion. “When it is applied – she added – it is destined to be a far-reaching light, like a beacon in the darkness of today’s society.” Therefore she challenged everyone to remain faithful to Chiara’s original intuition concerning the Economy of Communion.

Several businessmen who belong to the project shared the story of this business park’s construction, beginning in 2004, involving the efforts of many in the realization of this dream. They were gestures of generosity, small ones and large ones, sufferings, spiritual and material losses, the “living stones” for this “cathedral”, as someone defined the new business park which is destined to give testimony to God in the world of economy.

At the moment, three businesses have moved into the Giosi Guella Business Park and many others have joined the project and are spread thoughout the country though connected to the Park. They are small and medium-sized for profit businesses which, with the ideals of the Economy of Communion, are working for the common good.

At the conclusion of the programme there was a link-up via internet with the Lionello Bonfanti Business Park in Loppiano, Italy, which provided a wider dimension to the event. Someone recalled a phrase from Chiara Lubich regarding the Italian Business Park: “A light in the midst of darkness, even if it’s only small, will be seen from afar.” It came as an encouragement to stand up to the challenge.

The Mayor of Alenquer, Jorge Riso, presided over the inauguration. In his brief speech he thanked the Movement and the Focolare town of Arco-Iris for the positive contribution they make in the area not only through the Physical Therapy Centre, but also through their relationships with the local population. “This business park – he said – is a privilege for the Commune of Alenquer. It is a project that extends beyond the limits of our local territory.”