Cardinal Bertone: Communion is the basis of the Church

When Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone met over 600 diocesan priest focolarini, from 54 countries at the Centro Mariapoli at Castelgandolfo, the atmosphere was of intense, spontaneous and profound dialogue. It was the first time that he had visited the Focolare at its international centre since becoming Secretary of State. He had been invited for a dialogue with the priests who had come together for their annual meeting.

The Cardinal listened to the testimonies of some “priest focolares” and heard of the effects that the “charism of unity” can have in various ecclesial and social-cultural situations. In Ireland, where there is a growing atmosphere of secularisation, he heard of a new relationship with the bishop and with other priests, a serious involvement in the universities, in the ecumenical and inter-religious field, and an effective presence in the media. In Switzerland, vocations have come to life through the witness of unity, the common life of the priests has become a reference point for other priests and an antidote to the crisis in vocations, and people are coming back Church on Sundays. In Italy (Ascoli Piceno) collaboration between priests and lay people animated by the spirituality of communion has brought new life to towns and cities. In October during an event organised by the young members of the Focolare Movement, civil institutions and the local residents became involved.

Six questions were put to the Secretary of State, by priests from all over the world. They asked about the implementation of Benedict XVI’s teaching, the challenges of the Church today, about shortcomings in church communities, and about priorities in pastoral choices. Then they asked about the role of Ecclesial Movements, how to make the Church a Communion, formation in seminaries, and about help for priests in difficulty. And finally they asked about his personal daily rapport with the Pope.

“The irrelevance of the faith” and “isolation and loneliness”. These are the two major challenges for Christians today, the Cardinal said, and recalling a reflection by the then Cardinal Ratzinger, published recently, where he says that “hell is the extreme trial of incommunicable loneliness”. “This tells us that loneliness is something that can begin here, and therefore hell can begin here”. He cited two quotes, one from Sartre, “Hell for me is the others”, and one from Gabriel Marcel, “The others are heaven for me”. “Therefore, he said, heaven, paradise, can start now with the spirituality of communion, with the charism of communion. This is the opposite of loneliness”

On  relativism, he said, “We must never tire of searching for truth, and witnesses of the truth”

A personal question: “You are a well known ‘child’ of Saint John Bosco. How does this ‘charismatic childhood’ help you in your present ministry?” “The Salesian charism has always helped me form the time I was a boy” he answered. “Then I entered the congregation, I assimilated this spirit of family, the willingness to listen, and to welcome others, the atmosphere of intimacy…”

On the Ecclesial Movements: “The movements have full citizenship in the Church. Their lively, effective, transforming presence, arouses interest also in non Christians.” Speaking about new and ancient charisms, he said, “The Lord continues to be creative, the creation is happening in the universe, in the cosmos… it is happening above all through the action of the Spirit”. And he invited everyone to “strengthen the spirit and practice of communion between new charisms and historical institutions”.

Cardinal Bertone addressed a “very warm greeting” to Chiara Lubich, after referring to the fundamental role of the founders in the live of the Church.