![Pope Francis: a pilgrim of peace in Africa]()
Nov 25, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
Today Pope Francis sets out on his first trip to Africa where he will be visiting Kenya and Uganda (English-speaking nations) and the Central African Republic (a French-speaking nation). It’s a particularly delicate and significant time in the Central African Republic due to it’s security situation being a country at war. “Mariapolis Victoria”, the Focolare’s little town located in the Ivory Coast, extends its best wishes for this trip and has timed the launching of its new website today to coincide with this meaningful journey of the Pope in Africa . Although West Africa is not on Pope Francis’ itinerary, we totally adhere to his message of brotherhood and peace. Many nations in West Africa, such as Mali, Niger and Nigeria, have suffered repeated attacks of terrorism. We sincerely hope that the presence of Pope Francis, which promotes dialogue, in particular interreligious dialogue, may open up pathways of fraternity in Africa. “Bon voyage” Pope Francis! Source : www.focolare.org/mariapolivictoria
Nov 25, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
Taung forms a sole diocese with Kimberley, famous for its ancient and deactivated diamond mine. Visitors flock from all over the world to Kimberley to admire its Big Hole, the hollow that remained after the diggings, and where, surpassing the steep ravines, the bravest tourists can immerse in a really fantastic lake. But also Taung boasts its own primacy. In 1924, precisely there, the fossile of a child’s skull was found , and traced to 2.3 million years ago, a very important find for scholars and researchers, and was named the Taung Child. However, the 24 October feast was not only a geological-cultural one. Four thousand people from far-off towns and village reached Taung to celebrate the 120th anniversari of the arrival of the Catholic Church among the Tswana people of South Africa. The Prior of the Oblates and the local bishop were the honoured hosts. Also Bishop Klerksdorp and about fifty priests and religious were there. The Minister of Culture of the province represented the government. Also present was Kgosi, the traditional chief of the Tswana population – about 300,000 in all – living in the villages of Taung. 
During the celebrations, great importance was given to the activities of the missions, especially those conducted by three members who live in the Focolare community: Dominic, from Cameroon, and Chris who is German and Moris from Kenya. Each of them play a key role in the mission. Dominic, who is a priest, acts as vice-parish priest. Given that he has been there for a short time, he is still learning the Tswana language, and so, during the sermon, is helped by Rapelang, father of a family who has embraced the spirituality of the Focolare and more than willingly acts as his interpreter, and often completes the sermons with his own experiences on living the Gospel. Chris has been entrusted with the two-year professional school and which certifies yearly about thirty young and promising carpenters. These are young people who had to leave for various reasons the public school, and are offered a second chance to learn a trade. Moris is the dean of the primary school with 550 students. It is really impressive to see, in the morning, this throng of kids and children line up for inspection, which is performed by the assigned students themselves every time, to check the hygiene and uniform of the students. Besides a professional education the school also offers a spiritual and moral education for their personal lives. Its innovative programme and teaching style, centred on authentic values, has earned the school its reputation as a school of excellence. It is attended not only by the children of Catholic families but also of Protestants (who represent about 30% of the entire South African population) and among whom ecumenical dialogue is always open and constructive. The Catholic Mission schools, across the 100 years of activities have formed men and women of great human and professional stature, who have played key roles in society.
Nov 24, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
The 34th Conference of Bishops of different Churches, promoted by the Focolare Movement, will start on 25 November 2015. It will be held on the island of Heybeliada (Halki), in the sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. The 150 participants, from 9 different countries, will be hosted in the Monastery on this island, which was once the seat of the prestigious Greek-Orthodox theological Academy of Halki. The 50 participants, from 19 countries, are much awaited by His Holiness Bartholomew I, who during a recent interview, in the wake of the Honoris Causa doctorate in the Culture of Unity conferred upon him by the Sophia University Institute, affirmed that: “At Halki we will together remember Chiara Lubich and pray for the repose of her soul. We will be able to express our commitment to work for the unity of Churches. We, the Church of Constantinople are pleased to welcome these cardinals and bishops, and we are ready to exchange our experiences and give one another the kiss of peace between the East and the West”. “Together for our common home” will be the theme of this conference, which will focus on unity, as a service to the human family, through a diversity of gifts. The main speakers will be Patriarch Bartholomew I and Maria Voce, while Cardinal Francis Kriengsak, Archbishop of Bangkok will be the moderator of the conference. Various bishops from different Churches will share their reflections; among them, the Anglican Bishop Robin Smith; Åke Bonnier, Lutheran Bishop of the Swedish Church; the Catholic Bishop Brendan Leahy, Bishop Sahak Mashalyan of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Halki. Jesús Morán, the co-president of the Focolare Movement will offer his reflection on “The Charism of Unity and the challenges of today’s humanity”. Gerhard Pross, an Evangelical from YMCA, Germany will speak about “Achievements and experiences on the road to unity” in the name of “Together for Europe”, the ecumenical network of movements and communities. Cardinal Kurt Koch, who will lead a Holy See delegation to Istanbul for St. Andrew’s feast, will also speak during the Conference. His talk will be about “Pope Francis and the cause of Christian Unity”. In a church of Armenian Apostolic tradition of ancient Chalcedon, the seat of the Chalcedonian Ecumenical Council of 451, the bishops will once again formulate a pact of reciprocal love, thus renewing the mutual relationship of charity that goes beyond all divisions and answers Jesus’s invitation: “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 15:12). In this particular context, this invitation implies the reciprocal promise “to love the Church of the other as one’s own”. The bishops are invited by Patriarch Bartholomew to participate in the celebrations at the Phanar on the 29 and 30 November on the occasion of the feast of St. Andrew, Patron of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. These meetings for bishops of different Churches, promoted by the Focolare Movement, are held annually. These meetings have been taking place since 1982, and they owe their beginning to a suggestion made by Pope John Paul II to a group of Catholic bishops, friends of the Focolare Movement, when he invited them to share their experience of “effective and affective” communion even with bishops of other churches. Promoted by Klaus Hemmerle, who was then bishop of Aaachen, Germany, and after his death by Miloslav Vlk, Cardinal of Prague, these meetings aim at offering vital spaces of communion and fraternal sharing in the light of the spirituality of unity. The venue for these meetings changes; they are held in places that are meaningful to the various Christian denominations. In 2016 the meeting will be held in Ottmaring (Augsburg – Germany).
Nov 23, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
«The key perspective of this trip will be revealed in the programme and activities the Pope will undertake,» says Liliane Mugombozi, director of New City, the magazine of the Focolare Movement in Kenya. Through her we will trace the steps of a journey which is revealing to be very important. «Pope Francis chose three countries where there are big Catholic communities afflicted by various tensions which he wishes to share as the pastor of the people, and together write a new page in the history of Africa today within a global framework and walk in search of solutions to the biggest problems and concerns of the population.» And what are the expectations? «We want his message to resound in all sectors of life, from governance to the management of goods, and from politics to education, healthcare, dialogue and interreligious relationships …». And to those who object because Pope Francis knows very little of Africa, the Archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cardinal Monsengwo replied: «This is true. But the really fantastic thing is that he goes where people suffer. If it wasn’t for the Ebola outbreak, he would have come to Africa a long time ago.» Since last 19 October when the Vatican confirmed the date of the journey, innumerable analyses accompanied this announcement: «In Kenya – Lili Mugombozi wrote – the battle against Al-shabab, responsible for the violent attacks over the last few years, is one of the biggest political challenges. Mons. Rotich, president of the secretariat in charge of the visit affirmed: «During our ad limina visit in Rome, he questioned us about the massacre in Garissa and he said that he would come to comfort the Kenyan people.» In Uganda, Pope Francis will visit the Anglican and Catholic sanctuaries to honour the memory of the young martyrs: 23 Anglicans and 22 Catholics who were killed because of their faith. «For many Uganda people – Liliane explained further – Francis’s gesture is a joyful revival of the past – when in 1969 – Paul VI, the first Pope to ever set foot on African soil, canonized the first African Saints – but it is also a new commitment to dialogue with the churches.» The Focolare in Uganda wrote: «On this anniversary we feel particularly called to live the sanctity of the people.» 
In the Central African Republic, in a tense political context which suscitates anxiety, «in order to manifest to this nation how much the Church feels and shares its afflictions, and urge all central Africans to always be testimonials of mercy and reconciliation,» on 29 November, Francis will open the holy door of the cathedral of Bangui, symbolically anticipating the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, and will give a very strong sign of this with his speech in the central Mosque. «In each of these countries – the New City director continued – the Pope will meet the heads of State, speak to the diplomatic corps, celebrate a public Mass where thousands of faithful will be expected, and hold various meetings with religious leaders and thousands of young people. And the poor, those who suffer will not be excluded from the meetings with him: he will meet the inhabitants of the slums of Kangemi at the outskirts of Nairobi, and the disabled in a nursing home in Nalukolongo in the Kampala district in Uganda, and in one of the refugee camps in the Central African Republic.» Also the members of the Focolare Movement will accompany the Pope’s journey to Africa with their prayers and concrete preparations. In Kenya they will be in various places: among the 10,000 volunteers of the security guards and in the delegations of universities, schools and parishes. A young woman, Mary Mutungi, will direct the choir of 600 university students during the Mass with the youth. Among the songs in the programme is also, “We can find a way to live in Peace,” written by a Filipino band on the occasion of the Genfest. In Uganda, the members of the Focolare are involved in the various preparations in the parishes. Some are in charge of the coordination activities for the Diocese. Another citizen of the Republic of Central Africa, Geneviève Sanzè, of the International Centre and a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, will participate in the last stage of the papal visit. Fidelia from Bangui, affirmed: «Our people so deeply hope that the Pope’s visit will help us to accomplish a deep conversion, and be predisposed towards reconciliation for an enduring peace.» Video message of the Holy Father at the Vigil of the journey to Kenya and Uganda
Nov 22, 2015 | Non categorizzato
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” [Letter of St Paul to the Romans, 8] There are many wars being fought on our planet, in our cities, in our neighbourhoods. The weapons are many and varied, but all of them produce only dead or wounded people and destruction. The millennia pass, but a brother continues to repeat to his brother “we go to the fields.” But whenever we start building peace again after conflicts, Abel returns to life, Adam walks again with Elohim in the garden of the earth, we can look “eye to eye” at each other in full reciprocity and with absolute gratuitousness. Every time we build and rebuild peace, our action also extends to creation, nature, the earth. And when we stop being its “keepers” (guardians) and deny peace, then the earth, animals, plants are injured, killed, humiliated, dragged into the vortex of our violence innocently. We see this more and more clearly every day. Peace, shalom, is a great biblical word. It is among the most common, severe and exacting ones. The first covenant of Elohim with men comes to restore an original peace-happiness that was denied, in order to regenerate the primordial shalom betrayed by Cain’s sin and by those of his equally atrocious children. It took a first peacemaker, Noah, for the rainbow to shine again over the earth, to make the re-creation of the world and of men possible. Peacemakers are always builders of arks to save a failed humanity. They are righteous men who feel a call to leave their land to save the land of all. If the world still lives despite all the evil that we generate, it is because Noah has never stopped building arks. The prophets and the many “blessed ones” in history have kept the rainbow in the sky by never stopping to build peace on a ground that has always been bathed by the blood of brothers. Noah’s hand and that of the boat builders of peace has until now been far stronger and more creative than the hands of Cain and the owners of warships. Peacemakers are not promised the earth, or the vision of God, or mercy. They are promised only a name: “They shall be called sons of God.” It is, however, an immense name, the biggest of all, and only used for them. Peacemakers are conciliators, those who reunite broken relationships, those who spend their lives solving the conflicts generated by others. They leave their own peaceful life behind in order to make other people’s lives more peaceful. Peacemakers, the builders of this biblical shalom, become what they are by vocation only. It is not just a matter of generosity or altruism. One can dedicate one’ own life for the shalom of others and of all only if a strong voice calls them to do so from deep inside. Building peace is never just a job, even when the construction and reconstruction of peace is part of our job. These voices, these calls within cannot be resisted: they are highly effective. And we cannot resist even when we do not know by whom and where the voice that calls us comes from: to be peacemakers it is enough to hear and respond to it (Read more). by Luigino Bruni
Nov 21, 2015 | Senza categoria
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your friends and hate your enemies.’ “But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:43-48). This precept contains an untiring pardon that continually restores the circle of life that flows between two points: God, Me, Brother. It brings a work of peace with a view to unity wherever it has been interrupted. Peace is made with enemies, not friends. This would appear obvious, but usually it is misunderstood in a fear that makes you fear war and fear peace. While love unites, fear heaps together. One is centrifugal and generates the community by removing the roadblocks and limits; the other is centripetal and predetermines the occlusion of the communicating vessels. One illumines, the other darkens. One is a regime of freedom, the other a terrifying tyranny. Where there is love you deal in reason; where there is fear you do not understand reasons, you act instinctively: see ghosts and shoot. Social organisations that prescind the law of charity no longer see brothers and sisters, but mammals to be exploited and killed, even worse than some ancient societies were towards slaves. Where charity is lacking, people must be held by the police and enclosed in concentration camps. . . Jesus comes to put man on his feet, in freedom; and his followers should continue to apply the strength of his ideas, continually finding solutions for man in God. If not existence will unfold as a deadly search through a strenuous construction of hateful motives: a progressive hypothermia that gives the illusion of a vital process. Love drives out fear. Those who love are unafraid: their Self – the possible subject of fear – no longer exists. The Other exists, the Other with whom our Self has identified The Other dressed as a brother, is Jesus. In this way, especially now, the greatest barrier of all is removed: fear. Under the influence of fear the Self fears that it is alone: alone in the darkness, boxed in, in a box that soon resembles the walls of a tomb. If you step out of that solitude, you are free. You encounter the brother and with him place yourself in God. (Igino Giordani, Il fratello, (Rome: Città Nuova, 2011 [1954]), p. 85 – 87.
Nov 20, 2015 | Non categorizzato
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Nov 20, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
In the face of the dramatic events that took place in Paris and in many other parts of the world, “the Focolare Movement, while it weeps with those who weep, continues to believe in the path of dialogue, of acceptance and of respect for the other, whoever that may be and from whatever provenance, religious belief, and ethnicity,” Focolare president Maria Voce stated on the day after the attacks in the French capital. The Focolare, together with those with different responsibilities who work for peace even at personal risk, renews its commitment to intensify and multiply acts and gestures of reconciliation, spaces for dialogue and communion, opportunities for encounter and sharing at all levels and in all parts of the world to embrace the cry of humanity and transform it into new hope.” 
A variety of personal and collective initiatives are currently underway. In France, there was the woman from Paris who paid a visit to a Moroccan store owner and to an Algerian pharmacist to renew their friendship; the couple from Vendée who support local associations that welcome immigrants, involved in the Islamic-Christian Friends Group (GAIC) in Mulhouse; in Alsace, which has intensified its involvement in the Interreligious Week that is taking place in November; a parish priest from the Paris suburb, who wrote a common declaration of peace with Muslims from his quarter; the active participation in the interreligious festival Vivre ensemble à Cannes that was awarded the Chiara Lubich Fraternity Prize; the shared organizing of the 2cnd edition of “Muslims and Christians together with Mary” planned for April 2, 2016 at the Basilica of Longpont, Essone. In Italy, everyone is being invited to get out and meet the Muslim world that lives on Italian soil, striving to build bridges, to create relationships, to work together in concrete projects for peace. In some cities these relationships have been in place for quite a while and have already borne the fruits of brotherhood. 
In Great Britain a prayer chain was begun for the victims of the tragedy, asking God to make them “instruments for bringing unity into their local environments.” In Ireland an evening event was held to acquaint people with the Syrian culture in view of welcoming the refugees. In Switzerland Muslim and Christian women meet every two months to share their faith. In Lugano there was an intense sharing with Imam Samir Jelassi. In Meiningen, Austria, a few days before the attack, 150 people gathered with Cenap Aydin, Director of the Tevere Institute in Rome, Italy, and Dr. Siebenrock from the University of Innsbruck, from a study group of Muslim theologians from Iran, Tunisia, Algeria and Turkey, and with Catholic theologians. In Augsburg, Germany, there was the “7 On the Dot – Augsburg Prays For Peace,” every evening at seven o’clock in one of the largest churches in the city – once in the Catholic church, once in the Lutheran church. One refugee, one expert or representative from an NGO would describe the situation of a country under siege. There was also a peace march in Loppiano, Italy and a public rally in Bahia Blanca Square in Argentina without national flags or party banners. In California a benefit dinner was held to gather funds in support of refugees, preceded by a moment of prayer for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, and a presentation of the United World Project. On November 14th in Honduras there was a peace march organized by the Focolare Movement in solidarity with Syria which gathered people from several youth movements with a message of unity and dialogue. Luigi Butori writes from Asia: “I think of the dead from the daily attacks in southern Thailand, of the Rohingya refugees. I think of the Muslim friends at the mosque in Chiang Mai. I think of Mae Sot where refugees continue to arrive from Myanmar in search of a better life.”
“Dieu pleure avec nous” © Michel Pochet
Nov 19, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
During the Ashwayuja month, which usually falls between October and November, India is clothed in celebration and light. It’s Diwali, a tradition that goes back to the ancient legend of King Rama who after 14 years of exile in the forest, returned to the city of Ayodhya where he was welcomed by a parade (avali) of lights (dipa) in his honour. Hence the name: Dipawali or Diwali.This year it was celebrated during 10-15 November. The festivities begin with a good house cleaning while many small lamps are positioned in several points of the dwelling – entrances, window sills, lounges – and in the darkness of the night the whole city is transformed into a dreamlike fairyland scene. The light symbolises knowledge and inner awareness. But like a kaleidoscope, the meanings intersect and are magnified: knowledge conquers ignorance; interiority brings peace. Good conquers evil; light triumphs over shadows of darkness, and it unleashes the life force. People look forward to the feast all year. On the third day – the actual Diwali – people put on new clothes, adorn themselves with wreathes of flowers and glittering jewelry. They exchange gifts with relatives and friends, especially sweets and homemade snacks. Everyone attends the religious services in honour of Laskshmi, the goddess of wellbeing. In an atmosphere of peace, they carry leaves, coins and religious images, chanting Vedic mantras to receive her blessing. Then there are the games: cards, especially rummy, mimes, dances, treasure hunts and fireworks. Diwali is not only a Hindu feast. It is a cultural and social event that involves the whole country, with some variations depending on the region and its dominant religion. It is celebrated by Muslims, Buddhists and Christians. For five days the Focolare houses in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Goa and the 13 educational centres that are connected to them, are covered in light. The centres serve 1,500 children and teenagers, most of them Hindu who, thanks to financial support from a distance are provided with an education, a daily hot meal and health care (www.afnonlus.org). The Diwali rituals reveal the great sensitivity of the Indian people the way it values the family, friendship, harmony of life and respect for the natural environment. It is significant that for Diwali, you buy impersonal objects, but you give gifts that have been made by your own hands. It is also significant that along with prayers, fruits of the earth are offered as an expression of gratitude towards Nature and its gifts. This custom is echoed in Pope Francis’s Encyclical Laudato si’. It was precisely that document and the inseparable link between living in harmony with creation and with others, that inspired the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to send the Deepavali Message from Pope Francis to the nearly billion followers of the Sanatan Dhama (what Westerners call Hinduism). Pope Francis’s Message shares the wish that: “we Hindus and Christians, together with people of all religious traditions and good will, always foster a culture which promotes human ecology.” The Message also expresses a wish that “together, we consciously give ourselves to protecting nature, defending the poor, and building networks of respect and fraternity” (Laudato Si, 201). This will anticipate “the growth of the tree of peace” for those who wish to prepare themselves well for the feast of Christmas.
Nov 19, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
“The tragic news of the horrendous terrorist attacks in the French capital has filled us with profound sorrow. Our thoughts, solidarity and prayers go to the victims, the wounded and their families, to their loved ones and to the French people.” With these words of condolence, Mustafa Cenap Aydin, director of the Tevere Centre for Dialogue in Rome expressed his dismay over recent terrorist attacks in France. He went on: “I unite myself to the message of the learned Muslim scholar, writer and educational activist M. Fethullah Gülen: ‘Every terrorist act from whomever it comes, is a heavy blow to the peace and tranquility of all humanity. These vile acts of terrorism are attacks not only against the French people, but also against the universal values of human brotherhood’.” “We will never grow tired of condemning all those who feed violence, hatred and fear by reproachfully abusing a religion, an ideology, for cruel and inhuman goals.” Gülen, who inspires millions with his message of love and compassion, invites everyone to join him in prayer that God would lead “all of humanity to a world of peace and tranquility” and “to act in solidarity against every form of terrorism; to become involved in the realisation of universal peace”. “We shall respond to these ‘inhuman‘ acts,” Mustafa Cenap Aydin concluded, “by reinforcing even more the spirit of unity and brotherhood. These attacks cannot but convince us even more of the importance of dialogue, conciliation and brotherhood; and to increase our commitment to spreading it. We are obviously convinced that peace will prevail. Let us call upon and appeal to one and all, to unite with us in this effort.” Source: Città Nuova in Italian
