Over 250  people from all over Ireland will come together for the gathering which has the theme: ‘Mercy Matters’.

The Focolare movement aims, collaborating with others, to work towards the fulfilment of Jesus’ prayer ‘Father may they all be one’.  The movement began in the Catholic church but spread to all the Christian denominations and now involves people of all faiths and none.

“In the present climate where there is often mistrust of others, we feel our spirituality has a very important role to play in forging bonds of understanding and humanity between people and communities, especially where there is conflict between people,” said Catherine Burke from Dungarvan, Co Director of Focolare in Ireland.

This year’s gathering, with its hub at the Gold Coast Hotel Complex and the Fusion Hall in Dungarvan will focus in particular on bringing the ethic of mercy into today’s culture. Young people in particular, are looking forward to entering into conversations with Baroness O’Loan and Dr Gold on the topical issues which are of such relevance to their future.

“We will delve into the topic of Mercy as applied to Family and Church life, Climate Justice and Politics, especially in the context of the Pope’s call to Mercy on all these fronts,” said Co Director David Hickey from Dublin.  “Then we will try to apply the resulting conclusions to our daily life at home and in society generally.”

The Focolare summer gathering, or Mariapolis is a unique event, he says. “It is a retreat with a difference, an unforgettable holiday and a thought provoking forum, but most of all it is a moment of family with people of all ages and backgrounds making connections and discovering that it is possible to live as brothers and sisters no matter how different we are.”

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan from Waterford and Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy, will also speak at the event.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

•  Focolare, founded by Chiara Lubich, began in Italy in 1943 during the Second World War and is now present in almost every country of the world.
• The Italian word Focolare means fireside, tintéan.
• The movement arrived in Ireland in 1972 and has groups / communities in Dublin, Belfast, Kildare, Cavan, Meath, Dungarvan, Antrim, Limerick and Cork.
• Baroness Nuala O’Loan, a noted public figure in Northern Ireland, served as Police Ombudsman from 1999 to 2007. A peer of the UK House of Lords, she is a much sought after public speaker. In April she addressed the Faith in the Future: Religion in Ireland in the 21st century conference in Boston.
• Dr Lorna Gold is Head of Policy and Advocacy with Trócaire. The author of New Financial Horizons: the emergence of an economy of communion, The Sharing economy and co author of Ethical Globalisation, was Moderator during a two day conference in the Vatican last year on People and Planet First: the Imperative to Change Course. She is a well known public speaker on the issue of Climate Justice and Economy. In May 2016 she addressed a conference in the Philippines on A new paradigm for business and economy, and in June, a seminar in Trinity on The Challenge of Laudato Si’ for Governance and Policy.
• For further information on Mercy Matters, see www.focolare.org/ireland or call Eileen at 087 6408039.