Page 104 – Movimento dei Focolari

Youth for a United World: A Summer Job in Sardinia

Sep 24, 2011 | Non categorizzato

Home for the elderly. We were united with a common objective: to love. This was our only desire as we went to work. It was hard work in the middle of the summer heat: cleaning rooms for the elderly, serving at table, brightening up their evenings. But Love was flowing and you could feel it in the air. We were particularly focused on doing things together, not leaving anyone out, and being willing to lose our own ideas when necessary. Everything was done with a smile, and this made it all exceptional. The elderly trusted and encouraged us. When a paper Mache flower that adorned a bedroom wall was not perfect, or a bingo card was missing one of its buttons, everyone was able to turn a blind eye. From our side, here is what Salim from Kenya writes: “I’m happy to be at this home for the elderly. I feel at home because this kind of activity has made me want to be happy. There’s no sadness when we love like this!” Caritas (1-14 August). In order to permit the volunteers of this association to have some holiday time, we offered to bring ahead the many activities that they carry out with such dedication in our region. This time the work consisted of preparing a menu and distributing the meals to the many marginalized people of our city, and discovering their world. It was also surprising for us to discover that every day, in spite of the difficulties, our smiles never disappeared. This was an added gift, aside from the meals that we distributed to the many persons who came each day. The volunteers complimented us on the work we had done. And we experienced that differences of opinion are quickly worked out when you live the Golden Rule and when you keep a smile on your lips. Now, after such an active and adventurous summer, we are re-charged and ready for the coming year. Together we are aiming to show to the world the beauty the new life that is flowing, as we rush toward our big appointment next September: Genfest 2012. Compiled by Youth for a United World, Sassari, Italy

New video clip – Teens for Unity

Sep 23, 2011 | Non categorizzato

From Costa Rica to Salvador

Sep 22, 2011 | Non categorizzato

Gustavo Alvarado

You come from a country, Costa Rica, known in all the world for being a country of peace, that does not even have an army…years ago, your President Oscar Arias Sanchez received the Nobel prize for peace. What difference do you find between what you have lived in your homeland and what you live in a community of the focolare, one to one with people who have suffered a long and sorrowful war that has left many wounds? What helps you now to understand and help this people? “Before coming to live in the focolare at San Salvador-from where we have contact with various nations in Central America-I only knew the sufferings of these peoples from the news. I did not succeed in understanding these things in depth, as I was born in a place where from 1st December 1948 the army was abolished and where afterwards, there have been no civil wars. This has allowed to Costa Rica a level of economic and social development, different from the rest of the sister nations. I, however, felt “at home” when I relocated here, perhaps also because for several years I lived in a nation of South America-Venezuela-that is larger than mine, and that in a way amplified my horizons. Here I found many evils that are also elsewhere: poverty, corruption, social imbalances, injustices, personal insecurity, but perhaps because of all this- and not in spite of this-the persons know how to struggle for their daily bread, and even though they have lived through atrocious things, they have “ learnt to suffer”, going beyong the difficulties. Here there have been not only bloody wars, but also earthquakes, flooding, and other natural disasters. Solidarity is a value that is present amongst the people. Women, having had to face various types of oppression, tend to be strong, decisive and “combative”. In this context, the ideal of life presented by the Focolare Movement is amply responsive to the profound expectations of the people, where there are descendants of Europeans, Africans, Metis, indigenous… the spiritual encounter with Jesus Forsaken, recognised in every sorrowful situation, makes every fear disappear. In these years I have rediscovered the wisdom of “being one” with the other: to love the people it is enough to succeed in living in this way deeply with the person in front of you. And so, every day, I find myself enriched with the new experience of lived unity. By SSA

The Golden Rule

Sep 21, 2011 | Non categorizzato

A Dangerous Road in Venice

Sep 21, 2011 | Non categorizzato

I live in a side road in Martellago, a district in Venice. Crossing this road is very dangerous because it’s very difficult to see on-coming traffic and the cars travel at high speed. The speed limit signs and the pedestrian crossing are often ignored. This results in the frequent need for brakes to be slammed on and in people overtaking in a dangerous way when others stop to let pedestrians, often children and old people, cross. I had brought this problem to the attention of the Local Council in the past but to no avail; others had filed petitions with the police but without getting any response. On more than one occasion our children were nearly knocked down. So after the umpteenth brush with near tragedy, I felt responsible for doing what I could to find a solution to this problem which wasn’t mine alone but which affected everyone in the area. So I spoke to some of the other parents from my street and neighbouring streets. One of the other parents who was also very worried about the daily risk, and I thought we would write a letter to the mayor. In order to have more impact, we thought we would ask some of the other locals to sign it too. In writing this letter we tried to emphasise the seriousness of the situation but without blaming anyone, suggesting possible solutions and mentioning positive intiatives which had been undertaken by the town council to limit the use of cars and reduce pollution, such as the introduction of a ‘pedibus’ and the use of cycling in the city. Whilst we were collecting signatures, there were those who disagreed with what we were doing, saying that there had been endless petitions and that this one too would have no effect. But, in general, both the drafting of the letter and the collection of the signatures were opportunities to build beautiful relationships with our neighbours and the other parents. We all felt more of a sense of responsibilty as we actively searched together for the solution to a problem by working ‘for’ and not ‘against something’. I shared what I was living with friends who, like me, try to live for fraternity in their cities and communities, receiving from them the strength and the courage to keep going. We went together to the town hall to speak to the Mayor and to give him the letter with all the signatures. One of his colleagues warned us that the Mayor would not be very pleased to receive another collection of signatures and so it turned out to be. At the start of our meeting the ‘first citizen’ expressed his aversion to these petitions. At that point I summoned up all my courage and said to him, ‘Mayor, please read the text of our request carefully.’ He did read it, understood what we were trying to do and calmed down. And so we were able to engage in a dialogue, from which several possible solutions emerged but which turned out to be too expensive and not possible to implement. And then I had an idea: in another road in our distict, a speed indicator had been installed which flashed on when approaching cars were goining at more than 30 miles an hour and the pedestrian crossing was picked out in red. So I suggested these things. The Mayor immediately seized on these ideas, saying that they had one of the indicators available and that picking out the crossing in red would not be a problem. The following Saturday, we found ourselves again with the Mayor, who was very proud to show us the plans for the project. A month later, work began in the street. From this experience, I understood the beauty and the power of living together for fraternity, being at the service of our city, our community, out of love. Luisa Busato – Venice, Italy

Art and Cities: young artists on tour in Europe

Sep 20, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

They are young artists who are taking part in “Arts & Culture – Reshaping Urban Life” which was organized by various partners from the worlds of art, culture, and education. They are financed by the European Union cultural program (EACEA). Among them is also the Starmacher Association, known for its Strong Without Violence program that was carried out together with Gen Rosso in many schools throughout Europe and the world. The group of urban artists has recently returned from Udine, Italy, where they worked together for ten days (24 August – 4 September) in the “Park of Cement” sharing their impressions of the city with its citizens through paintings, acoustic works, and sculpture, as in the filigree model of the city’s water tower. Udine was the itinerant project’s third stop, which foresees laboratories to be carried out in five different cities of three European states (Udine and Venice in Italy; Schwerte and Dortmund in Germany; and Sternberg in the Czech Republic). “The atmosphere among us is quite particular,” a young student from Monaco di Bavaria recounts, “It’s as if we’ve known each other for a long time. And we’re actually able to work together on a single work of art with several artists. And our hosts immediately perceive our every need and desire! This is quite an exceptional way of working!” During February, in Schwerte, Germany, the participants were joined by experts to examine the theoretical and cultural foundations of their work. The central topic was the mutual influence between urban development and artistic expression in society and in the cities of today. There is a direct link between art and city, and young people have a particular sensitivity for the place in which they live. Their works almost always reflect their birthplaces in some way. The second stop was in the Czech Republic (2-10 July) where an old and abandoned monastery in Sternbeck became the point of inspiration. Each artist could choose his or her own “art studio” in which to work. In the evenings they met to chat and know each other better, to sing and dance. Each seminar concluded with a public showing of their works that had been created during the days of the seminar, but also included some paintings or sculptures which came from their studios at home. The fourth stop is underway in Udine at a workshop with Gen Rosso ending on 23 September. Upcoming stops include: an interdisciplinary seminar with Gen Rosso in Dortmund, Germany and, finally the concluding congress in Venice on 23 February 2012.

LoppianoLab 2011: Summing up the events

Sep 19, 2011 | Non categorizzato

A laboratory never closes but continues. Especially if its purpose is to implement practical solutions that will generate some hope for Italy’s revival. The organizers of LoppianoLab did not place the word “end” at the conclusion of this second LoppianoLab, a national laboratory lasting four days which brought together in close dialogue researchers from the fields of economy, culture, education, art and Italian communication networks not to search for a new future for Italy, but to come up with a shared idea for Italy’s present. The final assessment was positive. The Lab was confirmed in its calling to create a national meeting space for the different worlds of work, cultural agencies, citizens and institutions. The meeting gathered together 3, 000 people and 70 Italian companies. There were 56 events including panel discussions, conferences, artistic performances and Literary cafés. One event that was particularly highlighted was the Second National Convention of the Economy of Communion twenty years following its birth. It involves economists and entrepreneurs together finding new avenues for work’s future. Alberto Ferrucci from the International EoC Commission announced that a document of proposals is to be presented at the United Nations, which the Economy of Communion project has formulated for confronting the crisis and finding a new model of development. Many stories were shared during these days by entrepreneurs who decided to not only consider the final product and profits, but the individual persons who are the true assets of the company. The Trinity a Way of life?” This was the title of an evening dialogue session between theology, philosophy and art, based on Coda’s theological volume, “Dalla Trinità” (From the Trinity). Two parts of the LoppianoLab took place at Sophia University Institute. One was the presentation of Sophia magazine, which reports on the research being carried out at the Institute; and the other was the presentation of Nuova Umanita which, for thirty years, expresses the Focolare Movement’s culture. Participants were also given the opportunity to become acquainted with the academic project of Sophia Institute, which is a path of life, study and research for the acquisition and deeper understanding of a Christianly inspired culture that is capable of illuminating many human dimensions as well various academic disciplines. The meeting of the Città Nuova Press Group gathered together regional work groups of journalists and officers, editors and collaborators who are involved with “Città Nuova” magazine. They stand on the front lines in strengthening a national network which promotes the culture of unity. The town of Loppiano, which hosted the events, offered an “Open City”, a presentation of its people and places: a fifty years of Centro Ave Arte art exhibit, dramatic readings from the writings of Igino Giordani and Fraçois Neveux, music, dance, and a taste of cultures from around the world. The concluding laboratory took place on the morning of September 18. It was entitled: “Hoping with Italy. A network for the common good on the 150^th anniversary of Italy’s unification.” This laboratory highlighted the results that have been achieved in various settings, pointing out practical avenues for continuing reflection and experimentation, which were summarized in four proposals to make Italy hope again: support for young entrepreneurs with special attention to the South in the Expo of EoC businesses at the Bonfanti Industiral Park; the necessary openness to other networks, organizations and institutions, in the laboratories that are promoted by the Città Nuova Press Group; summer schools in Argentina and Cile with three new Masters from Sophia University Institute, which is an instrument for re-launching the new humanism: Loppiano as a permanent laboratory. What is its contribution to Italy? To demonstrate that unity in our cities is possible even in daily life.

Spirituality of Unity: God-Love

Sep 18, 2011 | Non categorizzato

Amidst the fury of war Chiara Lubich and her first companions were in the habit of meeting each other in bomb shelters when the sirens would sound announcing new bombings. It was the desire of these young women from Trent to be together and discover new ways of being Christian and of putting the Gospel into practice, following that startling intuition that had led them to put God-Love at the center of their interests – he alone and nothing else – at the center of their young lives. “Each event touched us deeply – Chiara later said. The lesson that God was giving us through external circumstances was very clear: All is vanity of vanities, everything passes away. But at the same time, God placed a question in my heart for all of us and, with it, the answer: “But could there be an ideal that doesn’t die, that no bombs could bring down, one that we could give ourselves to?” Yes, God. We decided to make him the ideal of our lives.” God. God, who in the middle of the fury of war, which was the fruit of hatred, through the action of a special grace, manifested himself for what he truly is: Love. The leading concept upon which the Holy Spirit then constructed this entire spirituality was, therefore, God-Love (Cf. 1 Jn 4:8). What a change this truth, now understood in a totally new way, brings about in people when they come into contact with the movement! The Christian lives they were so faithfully living before, now appear overshadowed like the lives of orphans. For now a discovery has been made: God is Love, God is a Father! Our heart, which had been living an exile in the night of this life, opens and rises and unites to the one who loves it, the one who takes care of everything, the one who even counts the hairs on our head. The joyful and painful events acquire totally new meaning: Everything is foreseen and willed by the love of God. Nothing can make us fearful. This is an exciting faith which strengthens us, which makes us glory in it. It’s a faith that brings tears to the eyes of those who experience it for the first time. It’s a gift of God that makes us shout: We have believed in love (1 Gv 4,16). The choice of God who is Love, as the ideal of our life, was the first foundation that was laid, the first requirement of this new spirituality that had blossomed in our hearts. Thus we had found the one to live for: God-Love.»

[:it]I laboratori di LoppianoLab: per imparare ad essere “rete”

Sep 17, 2011 | Non categorizzato

Hundreds of Gen4 travel to Brazil

Sep 15, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

It was a sight to behold: from 7 August to 5 September, 470 Gen4 (children between the ages of 5 and 9) and their chaperones from more than 50 Brazilian cities travelled distances of over 2000 kilometers. Their destination was the Gen4 Congress in Recife (19-21 August), at Mariapolis Ginetta near São Paolo (26-28 August), and in the areas around Brasilia (2-4 September). With effort and imagination the Gen4 prepared themselves with acts of love and collecting money for their journey. Some sold their toys; others set up a puppet market; some started a small bakery and sold the bread to friends and neighbours. Others used their savings or found financial assistance from relatives and local community. They were welcomed into an environment that was colourfully decorated, with beautiful backdrops, dancing and clowns. The congress began with taking off on the greatest possible adventure: to discover the will of God! But how do you discover it? Beginning with the story of creation we examined how God manifested himself throughout history, always full of love and mercy, and we are also part of this story. Then we examined many episodes from the life of Jesus, who is the Father’s greatest gift to us. The stories about Jesus showed us how he always did the will of his Father and how we can imitate him in every moment of our lives. Of course, to know what the will of God is in the present moment, you need to open your heart and “take a moment for silently listening to the correct voice,” one Gen4 noticed. Maria Voce sent a message that was immediately put into practice: Always say “yes” to God and carry the flame of Jesus’ love to the whole world. Everyone was actively involved in creating the congress, during games in the large park, participating in group activities, tidying the rooms and dining hall, and presenting scenes from the life of Chiara Lubich and the Gospel on stage. Also during the Mass – the moment to meet Jesus – the children were actively involved with their songs and skits, and with their acts of love which they presented at the moment of the Offertory. But now we let the Gen4 speak.”

From Recife:

“Jesus, I love you to death. You can always count on me and I always want to be faithful to you. I promise, I will never betray you like Judas did. I’m eternally grateful, that you gave your life for us. Gabriel
I liked when we spoke about the Word of God, because now I can remember to help my Mummy more, and the new man can live in my heart. Pedro
Jesus is my treasure in life; he’s the true man of the earth and of all of us. Abraão

From San Paulo:

I helped my friend Ragael to carry his luggage to the room, because he’s very small and couldn’t carry it. Eduardo
I wish my whole family were here to witness this great moment in my life. Matheus
I sold 50 packages of biscuits to help pay expenses for the Gen4 from my city. Pedro

From Brasilia:

Dear Jesus, I’ll never forget you. I’ll spread joy in the world and have lots of friendship with those around me. André
I gave up the swing for my friend. I shared my snack with a friend. I shared my things with others and lent my toys. . . I love you very much, Jesus. Paulo
Lord, I ask you for a bit of money, so I can give it to the poor. Carlos
I know that sometimes I’m not the boy who helps everyone, but I try to do my best. I hope you understand me, your dear Gen4, André.”

Matthias Bolkart – Gen4 Centre [nggallery id=69]

Spirituality of Unity

Sep 11, 2011 | Non categorizzato

The spirituality of unity unfolds into 12 cardinal points, leading from one to another:

God is Love

The Will of God

The Word

Our Neighbour

Mutual Love

Jesus in the Eucharist

Unity

Jesus Forsaken

Mary

The Church

The Holy Spirit

Jesus in the Midst

In Chiara Lubich the points of the spirituality of unity were not developed through thought out plans, reflections or some theological points. Rather, this is a spirituality demanding an immediate adhesion, decisive and practical, something that brings life. In the splendid history of the Church, from its individual members, its saints and communities there has always been a clear line and result: it’s the individual that goes to God. This remains the case within the spirituality of unity, in the sense that the individual’s experience of God is unique and will never be repeated. However, the spirituality is drawn from the charism of unity, entrusted by the Holy Spirit to Chiara, and as well as this indispensible personal spiritual experience there is also a deep emphasis on the communitarian dimension of Christian life. It is not a complete novelty, the Gospel is eminently communitarian. There have been experiences in the past which have underlined the collective aspect of the journey towards God, above all in the spiritualities rising from those who had love at the base of their spiritual life. This can be seen in the example of St Basil and his community. Chiara Lubich brings her own spirituality, which is an original communitarian way of going to God: being one in Christ, according to the Gospel of John: “As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, so may they be in us.” (Jn 17,21). In Chiara this became a style of life. A “communitarian spirituality” was foretold for our epoch by contemporary theologians and is also mentioned by the Second Vatican Council. Karl Rahner, for example, speaking of the spirituality of the Church of the future, saw it as a “fraternal communion in which it is possible to make the same basic experience of the Spirit”. Vatican II, directed attention to the Church as the body of Christ and people assembled in the bond of love of the Trinity. If St Teresa of Avila, doctor of the Church, spoke of “an interior castle”, the spirituality of unity helps to build an “exterior castle”, where Christ will be present and illuminate every part of it.

Young people gather in Tonadico to study the “Arab Spring”

Sep 10, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

The “Arab Spring” and the complex scenario of political and juridical relationships in the medio-oriental quadrant, were at the centre of the study seminar recently concluded in the area of Trent, (27-30 August 2011), promoted by Sophia University, in collaboration with Mppu/Political Movement for unity and Ced/Communion and Law.

The initiative, that utilised the contribution of the Province of Trent and the collaboration of the local administration, represents the first edition of a more more articolated research project lasting several years directed towards young university students, to increment, within their formative courses, academics and professionals, towards a “culture of universal fraternity” between peoples and cultures.

Typical of the experience was the possibility of communicating competencies and diverse disciplinary languages to examine a mutidimensional theme, in strict interaction between teachers and students of judiciary and politics areas; the majority of them were already linked together through participation in previous initiatives (such as the summer seminars promoted by CeD/Communion and law, and the “Schools of participation” by the Mppu/Political Movement for unity).

The programme required concentration and personal commitment from each of the participants-50 persons in all, of whom 38 were youths- and at the same time,it offered, in view of the extraordinary beauty of the natural environment in which it took place, the Dolomites of Primiero,adequate time for reciprocal knowl;edge and recreation.

But it was not only the splendid scenery and the mild temperature that brought the Summer School to those mountains. Acting as catalyst was, above all, the reference to the experience of Chiara Lubich and the first group of the newborn Movement of the Focolari that, in this same valley, during the years of the 50’s, found themselves living some stages that marked its development in an indelible way. It was then that they intuited with greater clarity the charismatic force of the idea of unity and its translation into a diverse model of human sociality, illuminated by universal fraternity.

How to give continuity to this initiative? At the end , to the enthusiasm of the youths were added the concretness and project capability of the president of the Valle Community, the mayor of Tonadico, and other administrators of the territory, with whom some plans have already been drawn. It is planned that there will be the possibility that Primiero will host an annual week of international studies, proposed by the Sophia team in collaboration with other networks of experts, highlighting every year a specific team tackled in an interdisciplinary manner.

Curitiba pays homage to Chiara Lubich

Sep 9, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

The “chilly” month of August was unforgettable for the members of the Focolare in the city of Curitiba: the three seats of political power – the Chamber of State Members of Parliament, the local council and the Chamber of Municipal Councillors, from the 20th to 24th of August, bade tribute to the person of Chiara Lubich. Inauguration of the Memorial to Chiara Lubich: Despite the brief interruption due to some rain, Mayor Luciano Ducci – as reported in the newspapers – inaugurated on the 20th August a new cultural centre, as a “monument of initiation” in the Workers Park, in the industrial zone of the city. The idea to “ place firmly at Curitiba the memory of this woman” by dedicating to her a way, a square, and a cultural centre, goes back to an initiative by local city councillor Tito Zeglin when, in 2009, the Paranese capital was chosen as the seat of the first “city forum”. At the Legistlative Assembly of the State, during the extraordinary session of the 23rd August, upon the proposal of parliamentarian Reinhold Stephanes Junior, and the unanimous approval of parliament, a Diploma to Chiara Lubich “in memoriam” was bestowed. On this occasion, there was a surprise: Areovaldo Figueiredo, the Director of Postal Services, of the state of Paraná made an announcement. He is a member of the local Political Movement for Unity and he presented a Brazilian postage stamp, dedicated to Chiara Lubich, personalised with her photo. Archbishop Mons. Moacir Jose` Vitti, who is at Madrid for the GMG, sends a message which, amongst other things, says: Chiara, with her courage and her unshakeable faith in God, has charmed the world with her way of living and her works that continue also today.” By way of conclusion, on 24th August, during a Special Session in tribute to Chiara Lubich, at the seat of the Comunal Council, a parchment is given on the proposal of the Councillor Tito Zeglin. During each of these events, the politicians and personalities present have confirmed their adherence to what Maria Voce, president of the Focolari – proposed with her message: “These events were favourable occasions to launch towards collectivity, with a new impulse, all those positive values, that emerge from adherence to the spirit of love and fraternity, important in everyday life and in political action: seeking first of all what unites and preferring the common good to personal interest. That is seeing our environment, private, social, and political in the wider view of the human family.”

Info Iceland

Sep 8, 2011 | Senza categoria

Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops: Launching out in unity through the Word

Sep 8, 2011 | Non categorizzato

The meeting has drawn 31 bishops from 18 countries, representing 15 churches. It is the 30th ecumenical meeting of its kind sponsored by the Focolare Movement, the first of which was held in 1982. This year it’s taking place in Welwyn Garden City, a town about 40 km north of London. It is truly a garden city with tree-lined boulevards, parks and lakes. The city was founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1920 and has about 40,000 inhabitants. The Focolare Centre for Unity began here after a visit to England by Chiara Lubich in 1983, when she felt the need for a “cradle”, a place where activities of the Focolare could take place. These annual ecumenical meetings of bishops take place in different places, allowing participants to get to know the ecclesial realities of the host country. This year their focus is the Church of England. In particular, the proposed “Anglican Covenant”, has been a subject of great interest. It proposes a pact to sustain the Anglican Communion, and it formulates an agreement, prepared by a group of Anglican theologians, binding churches of the Anglican Communion to commit the 44 autonomous Anglican churches into recognising principles held in common. It will be an important instrument for building communion which might even become a requisite among non-Anglican churches. Adherence to the pact will always be unrestricted and there are no legal sanctions envisaged for those who change their minds. The program of the conference includes visits to symbolic places of Anglicanism such as Lambeth Palace, the seat of the Primate of the Church of England, Dr Rowan Williams, who welcomed the participants, the visit to the shrine of St Albans, where the relics of St Alban, the first English martyr, are kept, and the meeting at Westminster Cathedral with the Catholic Archbishop, Msgr Vincent Nichols. The theme chosen for this year is “The Word of God and its Transforming Power”. Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, gave an impassioned speech on the ecumenical spirituality of the Focolare Movement which came to life through living the Word. She recalled how the Focolare spirituality was born in a dark shelter, when Chiara Lubich and her first companions would read the Gospel by candlelight during the bombings of the Second World War. “In these times, the dark shelter can represent the world with all its challenges and its search for meaning,” explains Maria Voice. “The Truth is replaced by other truths, and what prevails is economic interest; the family seems to have no significance in the scheme of things. The dark shelter challenges us to have nothing but the Gospel. This is where we can start to re-evangelize ourselves and consequently humanity which surrounds us.” “We can start off by living the Word, moment by moment, and sharing our experiences, the fruits of living this life.” Even Martin Luther wrote: “The soul can do without anything, except the Word of God.” And, at this delicate time of transition,” Maria Voce says, “as we pass from the period of foundation of the Focolare Movement to the period of renewal and development, we need to go back to the basics, keeping in mind that the explosion of life within the Focolare came about through people living the Gospel”. It was in this way that communities centred on the Word were born, that the spirituality of communion was born, and the commitment to live the Word has even paved the way for ecumenical dialogue at all levels. “The faithful embracing of the one Gospel – written in the joint declaration “Road towards Communion” drawn up by the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation – is an essential step towards full unity.” The unity to be pursued is not only between Christians of different churches “but also,” adds Maria Voice, “by widening the dialogue to people of other religions and by embracing those of other convictions.” From our correspondent Aurelius Molè [nggallery id=68]

Info Somalia

Sep 8, 2011 | Non categorizzato

London: Meeting of Bishops of various Churches, friends of the Focolare

Sep 7, 2011 | Non categorizzato

In the face of the difficulties in western society, and also in other parts of the world, the bishops of various churches, friends of the Focolare Movement, upon the invitation of Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Archbishop Emeritus of Prague, will reflect on their mission and will interrogate themselves on the impact of their pastoral work in transmitting the Gospel message. They will focus on the light and strength that emerges from the Word of God, which is the origin of the Church of Christ, in its various expressions, and which can give the Church, even today, a new vigour and illuminating power. Significant meetings are expected to take place with the Primate of the Church of England, Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, with the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Msgr Vincent Nichols, and with representatives of the Methodist Church and other ecclesial realities present in England. The keynote address of Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement, will be of particular relevance. She will underline the effects of living the Word, at the origin of the Movement, and on its spirituality that is purely ecumenical. The apex of the meeting is the “Pact of reciprocal love” that commits those present to place mutual love above all past divisions, in accordance with Jesus’ invitation to remain in his love and to love one another as he has done. On Friday 9 September, at the “Open Day” to which the Focolare Movement in Great Britain invites the Church leaders of the various churches, they will present the experience of fraternal communion lived by Bishops of various Christian churches, together with the prospect of an ever more profound and amicable unity amongst those responsible, in the spirit of the prayer of Jesus who asks for the unity of all.

Press Section: Focolare Information Service

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