Focolare Movement

How to respond to the “night” of humanity

Feb 2, 2007

The central question addressed at the meeting for Bishops, friends of the Focolare. Over eighty cardinals and bishops from many parts of the world will attend the meeting at Castelgandolfo from February 3 to 9, 2007. On Thursday February 8 they will have

 Eighty-five bishops from all five continents – from Lebanon on the brink of war, from Sudan and the tragedy of Darfur, from Pakistan and the fight against terror – are coming to take part in the 31st meeting of Bishops, friends of the Focolare Movement. Benedict XVI will receive the Bishops in a special audience on the morning of February 8. On the same morning, they will meet journalists and speak of their commitment, and that of their local churches, in some of the most troubled areas of the world (at 1300 in the Augustinium Hall, Via Paolo VI, 25) The title of the meeting is “The crucified and forsaken Christ, a light in the cultural night”. Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, moderator of the meeting, explains: “There are particular challenges today to the life of humanity and the journey of the church, in a period that John Paul II had no hesitation in calling an epochal “dark night”. The situation poses not only risks, but also, as Pope Benedict XVI has said, the opportunity of a new beginning, a new and efficacious proclamation of God as Love, that can lead to a new vision of humanity based on the gift of self and sharing.  A key contribution to the this debate has been prepared by Chiara Lubich. Another important theme is the collaboration of Movements and Communities of the various Churches in a common witness. This will be highlighted on May 12 at the second day meeting “Together for Europe” to held in Stuttgart, and simultaneously in many other European Cities.

___

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

In April 1984, the Jubilee of the Youth was celebrated, a few days before the conclusion of the extraordinary Jubilee of the Redemption. There were 300 thousand young people present. Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, held a catechesis on joy for the young people gathered in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran on the 12th of April. Here is an excerpt of her talk.

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

On 3rd July 2025, Paolo Rovea, an Italian doctor and married focolarino, completed his earthly life. Following his passing, many messages arrived from all over the world, coming together to form a unique and very rich mosaic, just like Paolo himself.

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

The parable of the good Samaritan teaches us not only to draw close, touching the wounds of those around us and breaking down the walls of prejudice, but through this Word we come to understand the art of compassion and the infinite mercy with which God embraces us, cares for us and leaves us free to abandon ourselves to his love.