How to respond to the “night” of humanity

 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.