Paraguay: “Thomas More 2006” award to Chiara Lubich

In accepting the “Thomas More 2006” award – received on her behalf by Esperanza Aid and Mauro De Souza, co-directors of the Focolare Movement in Paraguary – Chiara Lubich sent a message, wishing the University a year rich in initiatives. She trusted that these University-promoted initiatives, abounding in Christian values and profoundly human, may contribute towards a universal brotherhood.

Before the handing over of the award, the motivation was read: “To Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, Work of Mary, for her great commitment in favour of unity and ecumenism. For the contribution of her charism in proposing the so-called Economy of Communion, while confronted by the many inequalities thrashing today’s humanity. For the construction of peace in a united world.”

Chiara is among the personalities awarded by the “Thomas More Institute,” Faculty of Juridical Sciences and Diplomacy of the Catholic University of Asuncion, on 27th December, along with Msgr. Elio Sgreccia, President of the Pontifical Academy for life, José Antonio Fortea, Spanish theologian, who visited Paraguay this year, and the Paraguayan Episcopal Conference that celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Paraguay is a country rich in history, marked not only by wars, conquests and revolutions, but particularly by the encounter, not without sorrow, of the native Guaranì and European cultures. Two languages are spoken in Paraguay: Spanish and Guarnì. It was in 1964 that the first group of Paraguayans first participated in the Mariapolis in Argentina.

Today the Focolare Movement in Paraguay is made up of persons committed in various fields of renewal of society and the Church, in order to sow the seeds of brotherhood in every environment, in a land rich in potential. Just one example: the life witness of a committed politician: Cesar Romero.