THE FOCOLARE MOVEMENT

& its international Interfaith Journey

By Terry Gunn
September 2001

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Founded by Chiara Lubich, the Focolare Movement began in Trent, Italy, in 1943. In the midst of the destruction and hopelessness of the Second World War, Lubich and a group of young women gathered, bound together by their faith and by their experience of God as love. They resolved to live as persons whose actions and thoughts would be based on the Gospel. Their goal became one of striving towards the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer to the Father: “May they all be one” (John 17:21)

Focolare and its distinctive spirituality of unity soon gave rise to an international movement of spiritual and social renewal. Today, this Catholic movement is present in 182 nations and reaches five million people, making a profound impact on family life, youth and all areas of Church and society.

(Photo courtesy of Living City, a Focolare publication)
Chiara Lubich, founder of Focolare, receives the Hindu Defender of Peace Award last year from Minoti Aram, president of the Shanti Ashram Gandhian organization. India

The Focolare emphasis on unity finds natural expression in the important field of dialogue: dialogue among Christians, dialogue among members of the world’s religions and dialogue with persons of other convictions.

Since the 1970s, Focolare has worked with Muslims, Baha’is, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Zoroastrians, Sikhs, Taoists and animists. In fact, on a planet-wide scale, some 30,000 people of other religions are currently collaborating with Focolare in its various activities.

In the United States, for example, the American Muslim Society (with a membership of two million people) is working with Focolare on a number of projects. In November of last year, three thousand Muslims and three thousand Focolare met for a day of dialogue at the Washington Convention Centre.

Here are some other examples of interfaith cooperation:

• Each year, a few hundred Muslims from all over the world, journey to Rome in order to continue and deepen this dialogue with their Focolare friends.
• Focolare is a permanent member of the World Conference on Religion and Peace which is the largest interfaith organization in the world. Chiara Lubich is honorary president of this organization.
• In 1985, Chiara Lubich participated in a dialogue in Japan involving 12,000 young Buddhists.
• In the late 1980s, the Buddhist University at Chang Mai in southern Thailand provided a setting for a dialogue which brought together Focolare members and 800 Buddhists (including monks, nuns and lay people).
• In 1998, Focolare established the Centre for Education in Dialogue in New York. This centre, which will serve North America, provides people of all religions with an ongoing formation in the Spirituality of Dialogue. The centre has featured such speakers as Cardinal Arinze, Imam W.D. Mohammed, Rabbi Ruben, Dr. Eugene Fisher, and Cardinal O’Connor.
• In June of last year, a number of Hindu groups in India honoured Chiara Lubich with the Hindu Defender of Peace Award. This award acknowledged current Focolare dialogue efforts in India and stimulated further dialogue.
• In the Philippines, there is a permanent institute for interfaith dialogue where Focolare members are trained in dialogue. People of various religions from all over Asia meet at this centre to learn about each other’s beliefs and practices.

Cardinal Francis Arinze, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue captured much of the Focolare attitude when he said:

“The dialogue of religions is nothing less than human encounters whose purpose is to build up a civilization of love and peace. We are called to promote such dialogue according to its distinctive forms, as a way of bringing about appreciation of other cultures and religions.”

The Focolare goal of spiritual unity has attracted young people on every continent. Meeting with 18,000 Focolare youth in March of 1990, John Paul spoke of a united world as “the great expectation of today’s humanity, the great challenge of our future.”

Terry Gunn grew up in New Zealand but has worked with Focolare in several countries. He is co-director of the Focolare movement for Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

To find our more about Focolare, contact: Focolare Movement, 160 Cummer Avenue, North York, ON, M2M 2E7; Tel: (416) 224-2532; Fax: (416) 224-5568; or visit their website at www.focolare.org

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