Jun 2, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Since 2019 the South American country has been experiencing protests against the choices of the current government. Daniel, a young man from the Focolare Movement, tells us about their commitment to peaceful solutions to tensions. What is happening in Colombia? The country is experiencing strong tensions between the forces of order and its citizens. There are protests against the choices of the current government which – according to the protesters – is implementing policies that increase inequality. To understand what is happening, we interviewed Daniel Osorio, one of the Focolare Movement’s Youth for a United World in Colombia. What is the current situation in your country? Since 2019 there have been mass protests in Colombia that question the work of the government. They are mainly provoked by dissent over government policies and the need for free public education, but not only that. Among the reasons for the protests is the excessive use of force by the authorities against civilians, at times a matter of massacres. The protesters are calling for the intervention of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights to verify the many cases of alleged violations. There have been many injuries and victims in recent years, some statistics: from 2016 to 2020, 971 murders of human rights defenders and leaders were recorded. In particular, in May 2021, tensions increased because of the tax reform bill that would hit the fragile middle class and the weakest social strata who suffered most from the economic impact of the pandemic. The protests resulted in a nationwide strike involving over 5 million people. And while most of the protests were peaceful and cultural, there were also some acts of vandalism and a violent repression by the state that resulted in casualties. What role do social media play in making the world aware of what you are experiencing? Thanks to the influence of social media, the ease of generating audio visual content and the large amount of information circulating, people can be aware of what is happening in our country. However, sometimes it is difficult to be sure of the reliability and truthfulness of the content replicated in digital spaces. On the other hand, the widespread use of social networks facilitates the dissemination of content that alerts everyone to the demands of protesters, but also to reports of human rights violations, helping to have an increasingly complete and real picture of what is happening. What are the Focolare community and Youth for a United World doing in this situation? When the protests began, as Youth for a United World, we felt a great helplessness in the face of the actual episodes of violence and at the same time we felt a strong desire to be able to do something concrete. We started immediately with three actions:
- On a local level, we created a virtual space where everyone could express what they felt, intended as a means of sharing and receiving new proposals and ideas.
- We launched a video on our social networks to make visible and encourage peaceful and cultural protests, certain that this is the way, and not violence, to change the situation in the country.
- We are creating infographics – disseminating through social networks – to reach as many people as possible in Colombia and around the world, explaining the background to the protests, the current situation in our country, but also sending a message of hope, communicating the importance of being united as a country, as a people, as a society and as a world.
How do you see your future and that of Colombia? In spite of the difficult situation, I feel that there is hope, because the reason why we are protesting and talking is precisely this: we believe that Colombia and the world, with more justice, equity and unity, can be better places to live.
Lorenzo Russo
Jun 1, 2021 | Non categorizzato
After yet another tragic shipwreck of migrants in the Mediterranean, Gen Verde wrote a song in 2013 inspired by the true story of a little girl who was among the victims. Today issues related to migration remain dramatically topical, and the group has just released a new video for the song. “When someone suffers, it’s our business,” affirm the international music group Gen Verde. “Never allow indifference to take over – have the courage to cry in the face of pain and the ability to take care of others.” On 9 May they released this message along with their new video for their song “Who cries for you?” It’s based on a true story of a child migrant who died in one of the many shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea. On 3 October 2013, her body lay in a hangar on the island of Lampedusa, Italy. Together with her, 368 migrants lost their lives. It was one of many tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea that have been occurring for too many years now. It was not unlike the one 21–22 April, where 130 migrants in a shabby dinghy, in waves more than six meters high, were fleeing from the horror they had experienced in Libya. And there, off the coast of Libya, screaming for help through an alarm phone for two days, they found no help. These 130 people were left to drown – yet another tragedy in this graveyard of the Mediterranean. “We have fallen into the globalization of indifference,” said Pope Francis after the October 2013 shipwreck. “We have become accustomed to others’ suffering; it does not concern us; it is none of our business!” “After composing the song ‘Who cries for you?’”, explain Gen Verde, “we realized that for so many it helped change their perspective and awaken that flame of tenderness and solidarity that we all carry inside. That’s why, by popular demand, we are releasing it yet again with a brand-new video clip that we hope will help us step in the shoes of those who suffer. “Because if we awaken the consciousness that those who are at the mercy of the waves are really our brothers and sisters to be taken care of, our way of thinking and acting will also change. This way there will no longer be ‘others’, but only an ever-growing ‘we’ that will come to include everyone.”
Lorenzo Russo
https://youtu.be/8iaemHN4r1c
May 31, 2021 | Non categorizzato
The Focolare’s experience is to live in the joy of unity, effect of mutual love, which is God’s will for all of us. Dear everyone, I have recently come across a further confirmation of our collective spirituality in a little book that was recommended to me. It is a book by Blessed Baudouin, who lived in the XII century. A Cistercian Abbot, he had become a bishop, then Primate of England and later Papal Legate. In his writings[1] he says that monks must live well not only solitude, (“O blessed solitude, the only blessedness”), but also must put into practice “communion” with their brothers and sisters. He quotes: “Woe to one who is alone”[2] and says: “Love hates being alone.” … For Blessed Baudouin, there is the love of the one who loves and seeks communion which he calls “the love of communion”, and there is also the return of love from the one who is loved which brings about “the communion of love” between among them. Thus there is the love of communion and the communion of love. … According to him, “the communion of love” leads to blessedness as can be experienced on earth. It is our experience: it is the joy of unity, the effect of mutual love which is God’s will for us. … If we live our Christian life fully as our Ideal teaches, (which means in mutual love) we participate – as it is possible on earth – in the glory and praise that is in the Most Holy Trinity. We participate in it in our relationship with God (we are able to glorify Him in our turn and praise Him worthily) and we share in it in our mutual relationship. Blessed Baudouin says: “Every good, for the mere fact that it is good, needs to be praised.” “Every good”, every true love therefore including the love among us. This mutual praise and glory, inherent in mutual love, makes us rejoice with the simplicity of children, for all that is joyful in our life of communion. … So, let us always direct our efforts to mutual love, to the communion of love, so that we can let ourselves be enlightened and warmed by the radiance of His splendor of praise and glory, for the glory of God alone. In this way we will be ever more ready to take this love wherever there are people frozen by mutual indifference and dying from cold.
Chiara Lubich
(From a telephone conference call, Rocca di Papa, October 26, 1995) ———————————- [1] Baudouin of Ford: Perfect in Love [2] Eccl 4:10
May 27, 2021 | Non categorizzato
“Let us not forget the poor” (Chiara Lubich). In a time when there is much struggle to find a way to combine the economy with social justice and sustainability, Economy of Communion has been living and announcing a new economy for thirty years, carrying a message that is more relevant than ever. In May 1991, Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, having landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was struck by the contrast between the skyscrapers and the myriad of favelas, very poor houses, that surrounded them. She felt she had to do something, immediately: on 29 May 1991, she brought the Economy of Communion to life. Looking at our world today, the contrasts are even stronger and aggravated by the pandemic: there is more need for an Economy of Communion now than ever. On 29 May 2021, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the international event “30 YEARS OF ECONOMY OF COMMUNION ” will take place online, live from the Auditorium of the International Citadel of Loppiano (Florence, ITALY), in Italian, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Korean. Speakers will include the economist Stefano Zamagni, who has accompanied Economy of Communion from the beginning; Brazilian sociologist Vera Araujo; Jean Tonglet of ATD Quarto Mondo; Luca Crivelli from SUPSI University (Lugano-Switzerland); Alberto Ferrucci, entrepreneur and “pioneer” of the EoC; Isaias Hernando, president of the International Association for an Economy of Communion (AIEC); Geneviéve Sanze, from the General Council of the Focolare Movement; Benedetto Gui, Sophia University Institute; Margaret Karram and Jesús Morán, President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement, respectively; Luigino Bruni, economist, Coordinator of the Economy of Communion project. Economy of Communion means more than 1000 companies that adhere to the project or are inspired by it, 15 EoC-IIN business incubators for the development of new businesses in as many countries, 6 integral development projects currently underway and more than 400 degree theses. The programme will start by recounting the story of the historical and spiritual origins of the Economy of Communion. This will be followed by artistic performances. There will be a number of testimonies and the life of the Economy of Communion presented from Brazil, Argentina, the Philippines, the Arab Emirates, Portugal, the USA and Belgium as well as video-messages from all over the world: from New Zealand to Benin and Mexico. The event will feature the performances of the international group Gen Verde, with director Maria Amata Calò in charge. Local listening and participation hubs will be set up, in compliance with anti-Covid regulations. Luigino Bruni, Coordinator of the Economy of Communion: “We are looking forward to having many of you with us as we celebrate thirty years of communion, of sharing with the poor, of an economy of the five loaves given that become a thousand and feed the crowd. A celebration of gratitude, youth and the future. Because the Economy of Communion is a global common good, a gift for all”. How to participate: The event is open to all with no registration required. There is a YouTube playlist where all available languages can be found: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLseXirhCvXpFZxIHlHX721qP1QvE3ranQ The INTERNATIONAL channel: https://youtu.be/FdBZIz3mBkY PORTUGUESE: https://youtu.be/3joXe3qID1g ENGLISH: https://youtu.be/UEcaW9EN3k4 SPANISH: https://youtu.be/46KXJGo9aLc ITALIAN: https://youtu.be/BEIKv64Adl8 FRENCH: https://youtu.be/QzwQnIkaW3c For further information, visit the page dedicated to the event: https://www.edc-online.org/en/30-years-of-edc.html All materials to be shared are available here: https://www.edc-online.org/it/header-pubblicazioni/archivio-documenti/events-international/eventi-2021/30-anni-di-edc.html Photo Gallery of the Economy of Communion: https://www.flickr.com/photos/133391424@N02/albums Economy of Communion Press Office: Antonella Ferrucci – (+39) 349 5620268
May 26, 2021 | Non categorizzato
An international online conference 28-29 May 2021 – 1.30 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Italian time) Sixty years of dialogue between members of many Churches contributed by the Focolare Movement to promote Christian unity and generate openness, justice and peace among communities and peoples. The “dialogue of life”, which springs from proximity and communion among Christians of different Churches will be discussed in depth during this conference. The main speakers will be: Card. Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity(Vatican); Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement; Rev. Prof. Dr. Ioan Sauca, Acting General of the World Council of Churches(Switzerland); Prof. Dr. Piero Coda, Sophia University Institute(Italy); Prof. Dr. Stefan Tobler, Sibiu University(Romania); Prof. Dr. Mervat Kelly, Pontifical Lateran University (Italy); Mons. Juan Usma, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (Vatican); Pastor Giovanni Traettino, Founder of the evangelical church of reconciliation (Italy); Pastor Joe Tosini, Founder of John 17 Movement (USA); Rev. Dr. Jesùs Moran, Copresident of the Focolare Movement. “Chiara Lubich’s focus on the spirituality of unity made a great impact on the ecumenical movement and contributed significantly to nourish authentic relationships between different Churches and Christian traditions”. Olaf Fykse Tveit, former Secretary General of the Ecumenical Council of Churches, expressed himself through these words. There are thousands of Christians who identify with Chiara Lubich’s charism and the supremacy of the gospel words”May they all be one”(Jn 17:21), Jesus’ prayer to the Father. “Unity” is the key word of the Focolare Charism and also of the path that leads to dialogue, a path that does not annul diversity, but acknowlegdes its richness. A conference, entitled “Love one another as I have loved you”(Jn 15:13), promoted by the Focolare Movement, will be held online on 28-29 May. This conference could not have come at a more propitious moment, when resurgent wars and conflicts and the scourge of social inequality aggravated by the pandemic, call for a personal and global contribution to heal the fractures and wounds that are making humanity suffer. The focus of the conference will be twofold: ‘dialogue of life’ – that extraordinary attitude on which Chiara Lubich based the path of communion with Christians of different Churches, which she started in 1961 – and exchange of ‘spiritual gifts’. The ‘dialogue of life’ or ‘dialogue of the people’, as Chiara Lubich also called it, does not go against the dialogue of Church leaders, but it accompanies and bears witness to it. Christians, who live and work together in everyday life and strive together through the challenges of history, nurture mutual trust, esteem and respect, and thus create an atmosphere that breaks down barriers and prejudices of centuries. There will be many witnesses that will enrich this conference, as the one that will be shared by Lina, a Catholic and Roberto, a member of the Pentecostal Church, who both come from Agrigento (Italy). While giving value to what unites and not what divides, they are engaged in a common project of social solidarity to support their town. There will also be those from the Philippines, where Christians from many Churches work together to help in emergency situations, and they discover how beneficial these occasions are to move, work and pray together. Nicole belongs to the Greek Catholic Church, while Garo is Armenian Orthodox. They are Lebanese and work with the World Federation of Christian Students (WSCF), which is present in all Middle East countries. Through their participation, a network of relationships that creates communion is being set up: something which “is much needed in our countries”, Nicole and Garo claim. This international conference marks the 60th anniversary of the “Uno” Centre for Christian Unity, a centre for dialogue between Christians of different Churches founded by Chiara Lubich on 26 May 1961. It will take place from 1.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Italian time) and it will be broadcast live, with translation in 20 different languages, from the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome, Italy). The event can be followed on: http://live.focolare.org
Stefania Tanesini
Invitation in PDF
May 25, 2021 | Non categorizzato
This is the term used by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, in his message to the participants in the meeting of the Patriarch Athenagoras-Chiara Lubich International Ecumenical Chair, to define Pope Paul VI, Patriarch Athenagoras and Chiara Lubich, who are the focus of this third event, jointly organized by the Sophia University Institute and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on 25 and 26 May. 
The title of the third meeting of the international ecumenical chair was “Pope Paul VI, Patriarch Athenagoras, Chiara Lubich – Prophecy of unity between the sister Churches ”. The “Chair” was jointly established by the Sophia University Institute and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is named after the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I and the founder of the Focolare, Chiara Lubich, two giants of dialogue between the “sister Churches”. Speakers included: His Eminence Metropolitan Polycarp, Orthodox Archbishop of Italy and Exarch of Southern Europe, His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Selvyria, Co-holder of the Chair with Prof. Mons. Piero Coda, theologian, Prof. Giuseppe Argiolas, Rector of IUS, Fr. Giuliano Savina, Director of the National Office for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Prof. Augustinos Bairactaris, Professor of Ecumenical Dialogue and Orthodox Theology at the Patriarchal University Ecclesiastical Academy of Crete, Prof. Dimitrios Keramidas, Professor at the Faculty of Missiology of the Gregorian University, Dr. Sandra Ferreira, Co-director of “Centro Uno”, the Focolare Movement’s Centre for the unity of Christians. In proposing the study of three personalities of such high ecumenical profile, such as Pope Paul VI, Patriarch Athenagoras I and Chiara Lubich, the promoters chose to present a profound and far-sighted path, which offers many more opportunities for exploration. It brings together theological dialogue and the “dialogue of life” that the founder of the Focolare promoted and encouraged. On 25th July 1967, during one of Paul VI’s historic visits to Istanbul, Patriarch Athenagoras I stressed that their main objective, as heads of their respective Churches, was “to unite what is divided, with mutual ecclesiastical actions, wherever this is possible, affirming the common points of faith and government. In this way, theological dialogue will be directed towards the beginning of a healthy community, built on the foundations of faith and freedom of theological thought inspired by our Common fathers and present in the different local traditions”[1] . These were historic encounters which marked a change of pace in the modern history of dialogue between the two “sister Churches”. The first meeting between Paul VI and Athenagoras I took place in 1964; a meeting which in his message, the current Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I defined as “prophetic”: “The two Primates perceived that the West and the East could not live in isolation and self-sufficiency, as this damages the unity and catholicity of the Body of Christ and that a dialogue of love and truth could lead to unity, founded on the solid ground of the first millennium”. These words are extremely pertinent today and offer a clear indication and a horizon for what humanity is experiencing in this time, divided by a world pandemic and the rekindling of conflicts in many parts of the globe: only dialogue and a common path in which everything is shared will save humanity. Bartholomew I’s speech was very courageous. He took up an expression of the theologian Florovsky who defined the two Churches of the West and the East as ‘Siamese sisters’, which cannot be separated from one another”. In his message, Bartholomew I continued: “This two-day Congress is a reminder and a renewal of the call to this blessed path, pionered by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras. Chiara Lubich supported this journey with her sensitivity, her immediacy in communication and her certainty that the dynamic relationship between the two Churches, symbolised by the embrace of the two Primates in Jerusalem, which demolished the millennial wall between Rome and Constantinople”, should not be weakened. Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, echoed his words in her opening greeting, saying that Chiara Lubich represents “an evangelical bridge between two giants in the prophecy of unity”. “My hope is that this Ecumenical Chair may continue, with all the Work of Mary, to act as a bridge with love, through mutual knowledge and study, between our two sister Churches, walking together in the light of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn. 14: 6). Professor Piero Coda explained the importance and the need to continue to use the expression “Sister Churches” because, “It means recognizing the equal dignity of two great traditions of ecclesial families”. And, recalling the expression of Pope Francis who agrees that “Unity is a journey” 2, he offered a horizon of dialogue between Christian churches which rediscovers the engine of unity in love: “It is not enough to discover the precious treasure that can remain buried in the conflictual field of interpretations. Nor is it enough to simply aim at a “reconciled diversity” as at the mutual recognition of diversities placed side by side. No: it is necessary to grasp – where it is present – the sap of the Holy Spirit that flows and blooms and bears fruit in the different branches of the one vine which is Christ, and of which the diligent and merciful winemaker is the Father (cf. Jn.15). To walk together, therefore, as the People of the Risen One: where there is division there is still death; where there is love, among the disciples of Jesus, there is the Risen One and, in Him, there is already unity with and in God, at the service of all”.
Stefania Tanesini
Text of the message of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I in PDF Message of the President of the Focolare Movement, Margaret Karram in PDF Conference program in PDF ———————————— [1]From the intervention of HH Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople “Uniting what is divided”, July 24, 1917 http://www.vatican.va/content/ Osservatore-romano/it/comments/2017/documents/piccoli-passi-ma-balzi-da-gigante.html 2 Common ecumenical prayer at the Lutheran cathedral of Lund (Sweden), Homily His Holiness Pope Francis https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20161031_omelia-svezia-lund.html
May 24, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Chiara Lubich explains the role of the Focolare Movement in the dialogue leading towards unity. It is as though we are on a ship that is sailing under the power of the Holy Spirit. Dearest all, Once during an audience with the Holy Father, I asked him this question: “How do you see our Movement?” He answered: “I see it as an ecumenical Movement.” It’s true: ours is an ecumenical Movement. Its aim, in fact, is the accomplishment of Jesus’ Testament: “May they all be one” (Jn. 17:21). The charism that brought it to life and animates it is the charism of unity. Thus ours is not a Movement born from the will of a man or woman, but from the will of the Holy Spirit, the distributor of charisms. … Certainly, we too are part of the great phenomenon of ecumenism that has developed in Christianity in recent years. But in order to do what? To make a contribution. What contribution? Is it something big or small, is it decisive, basic or indirect? We don’t know. However, one thing is certain: God does know. … Among the questions addressed to me, often there are those on ecumenism. I am asked how things are going in this field in the world generally, and in our Movement. I’m asked what prospects are in view; how much longer will we have to wait and what must we do to achieve unity sooner. What must we do – this is what they want to know. God has placed us in this Movement which is like a ship sailing on the waters of time towards a port unknown to us. We are not the ones propelling the ship. It is the Holy Spirit who, with a divine breeze shows us the different stages to be reached along our journey. First He manifested the spirit we must have … and the horizons we had to look to and work for: a stronger unity in the Catholic Church, unity with other Christians, and so on. … It’s our duty to stay on the ship, in the place designated to us by Providence, securely anchored to our posts so that the ocean waves of the world do not swallow us up. We must stay still and be fully engaged in doing whatever God, from all eternity, has thought of for us. In this way, the ship will not roll, but will sail ahead safely towards a future we do not know about but in which we believe, one that is infinitely beautiful and hugely useful for the spreading of the Kingdom of unity on earth. We must stay put, even though we might not ever see that hour … because – after us – others will take our place. Then, one day, together with them we will thank God for having allowed us to take part, here on earth, in the building of a Work that is His, and because it is His, it is extremely beneficial to universal ecumenism. So then? … We must follow God, quickly, the ship is sailing on. We stand firm, holding on to the present moment. …
Chiara Lubich
(Taken from a telephone conference call, Rocca di Papa 28th September 1995)
May 22, 2021 | Non categorizzato
On May 23rd 2021 Gen Rosso will give a solidarity concert to promote a forthcoming tour, with migrants on the Balkan Route., in a refugee camp in Bosnia-Herzegovina 
In Bosnia-Herzegovina in south-eastern Europe some migrants are experiencing a dramatic situation. On the so-called Balkan route, beaten by the cold and with the risk of Covid, these refugees are living in extremely poor sanitary conditions. Various organisations on site are helping them in different ways, especially against the cold and hunger. One of the many initiatives is a project by the international group Gen Rosso to bring a sense of solidarity, relief, humanitarian support and basic training through the performing arts to the migrants stranded in Bosnia. The idea is to carry out a ‘concert project’ right there in the refugee camp in the town of Bihać. The event will be organised in cooperation with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), an international organisation with the mission to accompany, serve and support refugees and other displaced persons so that they can determine their own future. This is precisely the reason for the idea of the HIGHER concert that Gen Rosso will present on Sunday May 23rd 2021 at 9:00 p.m. (Italian time), in live streaming directly from the Gen Rosso Studios in Loppiano (Italy). At this link you can register to follow the event. The proceeds of the tickets – according to the formula of free and spontaneous donation – will be used for the organizational expenses for the Life concert in Bihać and to involve as much as possible – in compliance with Covid rules – the migrants who are there, with three days of workshops and a concert on stage alongside Gen Rosso. Refugees will therefore be the real protagonists of the event. They will be able to convey the message: ‘No’ to a culture of violence and human exploitation, and ‘Yes’ to integration and dialogue for a culture of universal brotherhood. The HIGHER concert will unfold in four narrative passages through which we want to lead the audience to reflect and to search for truth. Therefore, an artistic event made up of various moments where each section deals with a particular theme: God Love, we are loved and therefore we love; making an important change that passes through pain; dying for one’s own people – mutual love – being there for one another and finally light and joy – Easter. A number of artists will participate in the concert – Emanuele Conte, an Italian singer-songwriter, Karine Aguiar, a singer from Amazonia, Albert Illa, a Spanish singer-songwriter and musician – sharing their music with Gen Rosso.
Lorenzo Russo
May 20, 2021 | Non categorizzato
“A Vaccine for All”, a worldwide campaign for global access to vaccines against Covid-19, kicked off today at 13.00 Italian time, along with a symbolic action to provide medical care and vaccinations to people living in the Brazilian Amazon Region. The campaign is being promoted by an international network of more than 40 organisations from different countries with different cultures and religions. “The possibility to be vaccinated should not be limited to a privileged few; it is every person’s right. So we are working both at political and community level to guarantee this right to every person.” Conleth Burns, a 23-year-old law graduate from Northern Ireland declared this during a press conference, which marked the opening of this campaign. Klara Piedade, a young law graduate from the State of Parà in Brazil stated that the date for the official launching of this campaign has not been chosen at random: it was planned to be on the eve of the G-20 World Summit. Piedade was representing the Youth for a United World, young people of the Focolare Movement, who started promoting this campaign during this year’s edition of United World Week, an event that focused mainly on the concept and practice of “care” in all spheres: political, environmental, social and economical. “As a Brazilian I can say that the pandemic situation, that hit indigenous and riverine populations, is much worse than official figures show. The people who live in these areas are forgotten by society; they live far from urban and care centres, and today they are hit not only by a health crisis, but they also by social, economical and environmental problems. Through this campaign, we are proposing an online donation to support and show care to the inhabitants of this region, who live on the banks of the Amazon and have no access to social and health care”. Mario Bruno, an Italian, who is the international president of the Political Movement for Unity, a promoter of the campaign together with the Focolare Youth for a United World, clarified that this campaign started precisely on the eve of the day when the international community would make known its orientation towards a solution: would it be suspension of patents or would it be sharing of them, with a sort of ‘patent pool’ through which pharmaceutical companies decide to share licences for their productions in poorer countries. “We ask for agreements to be reached with pharmaceutical companies whereby affordable prices are established for the poorest countries. We appeal to governments to be urged by the desire of universal brotherhood and not by new forms of colonialism, and to be ready to provide the vaccine funds needed for the poorest countries as well”. Alongside this global mobilisation, a health campaign is also being launched in the Amazon region of Pará (Brazil) to support the “Pope Francis Hospital Boat” project. Operating since 2019, this project seeks to provide the care needed by the “ribeirinhos”, the populations who live along the River Amazon, far away from any healthcare centres. Edson Galego, a Brazilian nurse who lives at Obidos in the lower Amazon and works directly on the project said: “Since September 2019, the Pope Francis Hospital Boat has reached more 700,000 inhabitants in the Amazon region, thanks to the commitment of many volunteers and economic aid, and this is still not enough. At the moment vaccines are urgently needed, but the state is seeing mainly to those who live in urban centres. The situation has now become worse: it is the heavy rain season; the water level rises and because of floods the communities cannot go fishing or sail to cities where they can buy food, medicines and other basic needs. We believe that only a worldwide network can sustain us in our goal of universal brotherhood and embrace together this part of humanity, that suffers and is excluded”. Sr. Alessandra Smerilli (Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and coordinator of the Economic Task Force of the Vatican Covid-19 Commission) highlighted the aspect of justice. She said: “This is not a matter of being charitable and giving crumbs to those who are worse off than us. It is a question of being indebited and just towards the poorer ones. As Pope Francis has reminded us, we will be saved only if we are all together, which means that we will not be saved until all of us, especially the most vulnerable, the poor and the forgotten, are taken care of. I think that the temporary suspension of patents and the lowering of prices show that this project is moving in the right direction. Then, there is also the question of distribution of technologies: we should be able to study all vaccines, included those that are not produced in the western world. This is quite difficult for some populations. Let’s strive for vaccines that can be easily produced and transported everywhere”. Yassine Lafram, President of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy (UCOII), emphasised the indispensable element of co-responsibility on the part of individuals and States with regards to the current worldwide pandemic and its consequences: “We are convinced that we will all be able to start afresh if responsibility is shared. We are all connected and we will be at risk if whole populations are vaccinated, while only one per cent of the poor populations will be able to get the vaccine. We hope that other vaccination campaigns, especially for the poorest populations, will be launched”. Gianfranco Cattai, coordinator of Retinopera, broadened the horizon when he spoke about the need of offering more just healthcare solutions to poverty-stricken populations. “This is a very concrete campaign and I hope it will trigger off further developments: I am referring to the possibility of locally produced essential medicines in poor countries”. Noteworthy were the words of Vinu Aram, director of the Shanti Ashram (India), who argued that in the idea of a vaccine for all there is a very important ethical element. “It is not enough to take care of oneself. Both Pope Francis and Mahatma Gandhi invite us to practise solidarity. It is the first time in the world when scientists have collaborated to produce vaccines. I support this vaccine-for-all campaign, and we make this appeal not only for Indians, Americans or Italians, but for everyone, so that the global family can dream and live true solidarity.” Stefano Comazzi, president of the NGO Action for a United World (AMU) spoke about the project “Prevention, vaccine and care for “ribeirinhos” – Pope Francis Hospital Boat”. This project will be managed by AMU together with the Associação Lar São Francisco de Assis na Providencia de Deus. When sharing details about the health, social and economic support to be given, Comazzi said: “Medical care will take place within the existing framework of the healthcare programme for hospital boats, providing triage, diagnostics and specialised care when necessary. For prevention and preventive treatment against disease we intend to work with the local leaders to provide guidance and raise awareness on hygiene, to establish social distancing and to distribute protection and hygiene packs. The estimated cost of each pack is €15. The aid programme for the most vulnerable families includes the distribution of food packages and personal hygiene and disinfection items. The average cost of each unit is estimated to be €17”. At the end he highlighted an element that underlines the uniqueness of this project: reciprocity. He explained: “We, as AMU, attach great importance to this element, so that no one feels like a passive beneficiary, but bonds of fraternity are created between the communities who donate and those who receive. In fact, the communities visited by the “Pope Francis Hospital Boat” are used to providing voluntary services to support and contribute to these missions”.
Stefania Tanesini
See press conference on www.avaccineforall.org
May 19, 2021 | Non categorizzato
Alex’s account of working in the health, safety and environmental department of a road-cleaning company. while striving to care for the planet and every living creature. 
Alex works in a road-cleaning company, which uses 5,000 gallon (c.19,000 litre) capacity tanks. They draw their water from salt-water pools to wash down the roads serving a large mining area in the north of Peru. The company embraces values such as: life before everything else, act in the right way, grow and evolve together, give value to all who work in the company, take care of the planet and every living species. “I’m the health, safety and environmental supervisor,” says Alex. “I’m always attentive to the health of our personnel, aiming for ‘zero accidents’. We’re careful too about the impact our work has on the enviornment. We try to protect our flora and fauna. We’re the ones invading their territory so we should respect their habitat without damaging it. Unfortunately, quite often animals mistake our salt-water pools for fresh water and sometimes die in it. Goats, cows and foxes approach the steep sides and slip down into the water,. One day we found a small fox struggling in the water and there was no way it could save itself from drowning. Now there’s an “Emergency Rescue” phoneline run by a different subcontractor, but no-one answered so I decided to take direct action to save the creature. Equipped with a suction tube and rope, I set to work. I threw the rope into the pool for the little fox to claw onto, but it was too weak. So I dropped down into the pool, helped by two colleagues who held onto the rope. And we managed to carry it out. It was frozen, so I covered it with my own sweater and we brought it to the Rescue Office.” Alex’s account calls to mind Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Sì, when he speaks of Saint Francis entering into communication with the whole of creation, even preaching to the flowers, inviting them to praise the Lord. Because for him every creature was a sister or brother to him, united to him with ties of real affection. So he felt called to care for everything that exists. Alex continues, “When the other workers got back and saw the fox, they angrily told me to shift the animal because it was soaking the furniture where I’d settled it. I replied that my clothes were wet through too and I was using my sweater to warm the creature up. Then they started to change their tune, and one of them fetched an exhaust pipe off a truck to help warm the fox. I later discovered that one of the team leaders put in a complaint about me for having gone too far. But I didn’t let that discourage me. The little fox never once tried to bite me but seemed to trust me. It recovered well and after just a short while we were able to set the animal free.”
Gustavo E. Clariá
