“We are called to use our spirituality for the sake of all humanity, . . . . to nurture their own dreams of peace. . . .”. These were the final words of the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, the Reverend Olav Fyske Tveit, at the conclusion of his visit that had a markedly familial character, to the Focolare’s international Centre in Rocca di Papa, Italy.

Shortly before, following a presentation of the Movement, Doctor Olav Fykse Tveit noted the  “commitment of your heart,” “a very strong care for individuals,” “a strong connection . . . . between personal commitment and the very wide global commitment.

“. . . . that is, in many ways, what the ecumenical Movement is all about”. Making reference to the Ecumenical Council of Churches, he mentioned the path of brotherhood in which 349 Churches in 110 countries are engaged in discovering “how we can move in new directions together”.

The Secretary General was accompanied by a delegation of directors from various departments of the World Council of Churches, and was welcomed by the president of the Focolare, Maria Voce, the co-president Giancarlo Faletti, members of Centro Uno, the secretariat for ecumenical dialogue, and some members of the General Council. In her welcome address, Maria Voce recalled the decades-long relationship of deep friendship between the World Council of Churches and the Focolare Movement.  Recalling her first visit to the headquarters in Geneva in 2009, Maria Voce reiterated the commitment to continue the legacy of Chiara Lubich, who had established the first contacts in 1967. “We stand beside the World Council of Churches – she said – in advancing the ideals of unity and universal brotherhood.

The occasion for the visit was the visit of the Reverend Olav Fykse Tveit to the Vatican, where, for the first time, he was received in audience by Benedict XVI, and met Cardinal Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. He had other meetings in Rome with the Methodist community, the Waldensian Church, and the Community of Sant’ Edigio.