Focolare Movement: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Chiara Lubich.JPG|thumb|right|260px|[[Chiara Lubich]], founder of the Focolare Movement]] |
[[File:Chiara Lubich.JPG|thumb|right|260px|[[Chiara Lubich]], founder of the Focolare Movement]] |
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The '''Focolare Movement''' is an international organisation and [[Christianity|Christian]] [[new religious movement]] that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brother/sisterhood. It was founded by then elementary school teacher [[Chiara Lubich]] in 1943 in [[Trento]], [[Northern Italy]] as a [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[Catholic laity|lay movement]] |
The '''Focolare Movement''' is an international organisation and [[Christianity|Christian]] [[new religious movement]] that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brother/sisterhood. It was founded by then elementary school teacher [[Chiara Lubich]] in 1943 in [[Trento]], [[Northern Italy]] as a [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] [[Catholic laity|lay movement]]; it remains largely Roman Catholic but has strong links and has member of many major [[Christian denominations]], [[Catholic Church and ecumenism|other religions]] and [[Irreligion|non-religious]] people. |
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The Focolare Movement operates in 180 nations |
The Focolare Movement operates in more than 180 nations, has over 140,440 members and more than 4 million sympathisers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opera di Maria |url=http://www.laici.va/content/laici/it/sezioni/associazioni/repertorio/opera-di-maria.html |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.laici.va}}</ref>. The word "Focolare" is Italian for "family fireside".<ref name="word-meaning">{{cite web|url=http://www.wordreference.com/iten/focolare|title=focolare - Dizionario italiano-inglese WordReference|work=wordreference.com}}</ref> While the term Focolare is the common sobriquet of the international organisation, its official name by the [[Directory of International Associations of the Faithful|International Association of the Faithful]] of Pontifical Right, approved only in 1990, was "''Opus Mariae" (''Work of Mary) .<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/laity/documents/rc_pc_laity_doc_20051114_associazioni_en.html#WORK|title=International Associations of the Faithful, Directory - Pontifical Councils for the Laity|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=12 July 2017}}</ref> |
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== Beginnings == |
== Beginnings == |
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{{Further|World War II in Italy|Italian Civil War}} |
{{Further|World War II in Italy|Italian Civil War}} |
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In the Northern Italian city of [[Trento]] in 1943, in the climate of violence and hatred of the [[Second World War]], the young elementary school teacher [[Chiara Lubich]] saw God's |
In the Northern Italian city of [[Trento]] in 1943, in the climate of violence and hatred of the [[Second World War]] and Nazi Occupation of Northern Italy (under the puppet state known as Republic of Salò), the young elementary school teacher [[Chiara Lubich]] saw God's Love as the only thing that was not fallen in rubble. With her [[Bible]] in hand while sheltering during air raids, she claimed she felt deeply Jesus' desire "that they all may be one". A group sharing her vision joined in helping those in the shelters and in the poorest parts of town. |
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Starting in 1945, criticisms, misunderstandings and accusations began to spread against this new community in Trento. Living the Gospel, communicating experiences, sharing their few possessions and making unity their ideal, aroused suspicions of Protestantism or a new form of communism. Their radical way of living the Gospel that Chiara proposed attracted the accusation of "fanaticism", and the word "love", not customarily used in the Catholic sphere at that time, was likewise misunderstood.<ref name=Gallagher>Gallagher, Jim. ''A woman's work: Chiara Lubich'', Harper Collins Publisher, Ltd., London 1997</ref> |
Starting in 1945, criticisms, misunderstandings and accusations began to spread against this new community in Trento. Living the Gospel, communicating experiences, sharing their few possessions and making unity their ideal, aroused suspicions of Protestantism or a new form of communism. Their radical way of living the Gospel that Chiara proposed attracted the accusation of "fanaticism", and the word "love", not customarily used in the Catholic sphere at that time, was likewise misunderstood.<ref name=Gallagher>Gallagher, Jim. ''A woman's work: Chiara Lubich'', Harper Collins Publisher, Ltd., London 1997</ref> |
Revision as of 23:39, 18 July 2024
![]() | This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. (March 2021) |
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Established | 1943 |
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Type | Roman Catholic new religious movement |
Purpose | Universal brother/sisterhood |
Headquarters | Via Frascati, 306 – 00040 Rocca di Papa, Rome, Italy |
Region served | Worldwide, 182 nations[1] |
Founder | Chiara Lubich |
President | Margaret Karram |
Main organ | Città Nuova, 37 editions worldwide[2] |
Website | Focolare |
The Focolare Movement is an international organisation and Christian new religious movement that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brother/sisterhood. It was founded by then elementary school teacher Chiara Lubich in 1943 in Trento, Northern Italy as a Roman Catholic lay movement; it remains largely Roman Catholic but has strong links and has member of many major Christian denominations, other religions and non-religious people.
The Focolare Movement operates in more than 180 nations, has over 140,440 members and more than 4 million sympathisers[3]. The word "Focolare" is Italian for "family fireside".[4] While the term Focolare is the common sobriquet of the international organisation, its official name by the International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right, approved only in 1990, was "Opus Mariae" (Work of Mary) .[5]
Beginnings
In the Northern Italian city of Trento in 1943, in the climate of violence and hatred of the Second World War and Nazi Occupation of Northern Italy (under the puppet state known as Republic of Salò), the young elementary school teacher Chiara Lubich saw God's Love as the only thing that was not fallen in rubble. With her Bible in hand while sheltering during air raids, she claimed she felt deeply Jesus' desire "that they all may be one". A group sharing her vision joined in helping those in the shelters and in the poorest parts of town.
Starting in 1945, criticisms, misunderstandings and accusations began to spread against this new community in Trento. Living the Gospel, communicating experiences, sharing their few possessions and making unity their ideal, aroused suspicions of Protestantism or a new form of communism. Their radical way of living the Gospel that Chiara proposed attracted the accusation of "fanaticism", and the word "love", not customarily used in the Catholic sphere at that time, was likewise misunderstood.[6]
In 1948, the Italian politician and journalist Igino Giordani, a member of the Italian Parliament and pioneer of ecumenism, joined the group, bringing his ideal of social unity. Another co-founder was Fr. Pasquale Foresi with his theological background, and founder of New City Press in 1964.[5]
The Movement spread rapidly throughout Italy in the post-war period. It initially spread in Northern Italy and across Europe, then worldwide. In 1958, members of the Movement began to travel to other continents at the request of people who wanted to know more about it. In 1958, it reached various countries in South America, in 1961 North America, in 1963 Africa, in 1966 Asia and 1967 Australia.[6]
It has 140,440 members in more than 180 countries. People more broadly involved in the movement are estimated by the Vatican at 4.5 million.[5]
Focolare towns
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Loppiano_works_03.jpg/260px-Loppiano_works_03.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Chiesa_di_Loppiano_-_panoramio.jpg/260px-Chiesa_di_Loppiano_-_panoramio.jpg)
After 1949, summer vacations together in Fiera di Primiero in the Dolomite Mountains led to the desire to share—materially, culturally, and spiritually. Numbers increased for these retreats, including priests and religious with a variety of spiritualities, and by 1955 this gathering took on the name "Mariapolis", a model of peace for the world under Mother Mary's patronage. In 1962 Chiara's visit to the Benedictine Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland made her dream of permanent towns of brother/sisterhood, "simple houses, workplaces, schools—just like an ordinary town". In 1964 Loppiano, the first permanent Mariapolis was built on land donated by Vincenzo Folonari, near Florence. It has grown to include 900 people of worldwide origins and diverse occupations, married and single, priests and religious, who work and study together and strive to live in exemplary Christian charity.
According to the data published by the Focolare Movement, twenty four other such towns have sprung up worldwide.[7] Some have specific emphases: ecumenism (Ottmaring, Germany;[8] Welwyn Garden City, Great Britain); ecology (Rotselaar, Belgium); interreligious dialogue (Tagaytay, Philippines); multi-ethnic harmony (Luminosa, New York; Križevci, Croatia); or inculturation (Fontem, Cameroon; Kenya; Ivory Coast).[9] In these towns religious and cultural differences are respected, to exemplify Jesus' dream: "Father, may they all be one, as you and I are one."[10]
Development
In November 1956, an uprising of the Hungarian people was brutally suppressed. Chiara responded by calling for an army of volunteers for the cause of God, “volunteers of God”: "A certain society has attempted to erase the name of God, the reality of God, the providence of God and the love of God from people’s hearts. There has to be a society that can put God back in his rightful place (…). A society that witnesses to only one name: God."[11] Thus, the "volunteers of God" came to life, the first of 18 branches within the Focolare Movement.
Groups met according to their area of engagement and, with Chiara's inspiration, began centers for politics, economy, medicine, and art. These later developed into a wider movement that Chiara launched in 1968 with the name “For a New Society” and later changed to “New Humanity.[6]
The Focolare Movement has branched out to address a variety of groups including families, youth, and different religions. Special projects have sprung up within the movement, such as the "Abba" school,[12] Young People for a United World (now Youth for a United World), Teens4unity,[13] Economy of Communion (involving 800 companies), evangelism within small cities, social work, the Igino Giordani Centre,[14] and 27 publishing houses.[15] Pope Francis in praising Economy of Communion called on it to change "the rules of the game of the socio-economic system."[16] John L. Allen Jr. has observed that it is hard to "pick a fight with a focolarino. ...They tend to be open, ego-free, and just relentlessly nice."[17]
The president of the Focolare Movement, who is always a Catholic lay woman,[5] is Maria Voce, first elected in 2008.[18][19][20]
Renewal
At a reorganizational meeting in 2014 newly elected council members had an average age 16 years younger than that of the previous council, and the 30 council members came from 20 different countries. In Pope Francis' address to the reorganizational meeting, he said: "The Work of Mary, that everyone knows as the Focolare movement, was a little seed in the Catholic Church’s womb, that in the course of the years has brought to life a tree which now extends its branches in all the expressions of the Christian family and also among members of different religions and among many who cultivate justice and solidarity together with the search for truth." Francis went on to describe elements of the movement as contemplation, going out to engage in dialogue and formation of youth. Of contemplation he said: “We need to contemplate God and the beauty of his love,” keeping in mind that “to contemplate means to live together with brothers and sisters, breaking with them the bread of communion and fraternity,” since “contemplation that leaves people outside is a lie, it is narcissism.”[20]
Les Jours, an online investigative news site, published a series of articles concerning abuse within the movement. In light of allegations of sexual abuse brought against Jean-Michel Merlin, a consecrated member in France, the Focolare Movement contracted with GCPS Consulting to look into the matter.[21] In October 2020, three leaders of the movement stepped down amid questions regarding their handling of complaints.[22] Focolare subsequently initiated an internal invetigation into the number of cases of claimed abuse.[23]
Publications
The Focolare magazine, entitled Città Nuova ("new city"), began at the 1956 Mariapolis from the desire of people to stay connected to the spirituality and the movement as a whole. In one of its first editorials, Chiara expressed her vision for it: "We would like to collect all the various experiences of people who are bringing unity all over the world (…) so that the good that one person does will become the common good and the common good will belong to each individual."[24]
New City Press, established in 1964, is the official publishing house for the Focolare Movement, publishing books, periodicals, and e-books.[25] Among its publications are the Spirituality of Unity series, featuring the works of founder Chiara Lubich, and Understanding the Scriptures, Bible commentaries by scholars such as Daniel J. Harrington, Dianne Bergant,[26] Robert Karris,[27] and Ronald Witherup.[28] NCP publications include: the academic journal Sophia twice a year; three quarterlies – Gen's on ecclesial commitment[29] as well as New Humanity,[30][31] and Unity and Charisms;[32] the bimonthly Teens for children; and the monthly periodicals Città Nuova (published in 38 different national or regional formats; known as New City in the UK, and as Living City in the US, where its editor is Jon M. Sweeney) with opinion and dialogue,[33] Big Smart Kids including inserts for educators, and Gospel of the Day.[34] Focolare also publishes Economy of Communion, a quarterly magazine and website.[35]
Members proposed for Sainthood
This section needs additional citations for verification. (June 2021) |
Blesseds
- Chiara Badano [Luce] – (1971–1990), Young Layperson of the Diocese of Aqui Terme; Member (Italy)[36]
Venerables
- Jerzy Ciesielski – (1929–1970), Married Layperson of Archdiocese of Kraków; Member (Poland-Egypt)
- Maria Orsola Bussone – (1954–1970), Young Layperson of Archdiocese of Turin; Member (Italy)
- Daniela Zanetta – (1962–1986), Young Layperson of the Diocese of Novara; Member (Italy); declared "Venerable": 23 March 2017
- Nguyễn Văn Thuận – (1928–2002), Bishop of Nha Trang; Cardinal; Associate (Vietnam-Italy)
Servants of God
- Chiara Lubich [Silvia] – (1920–2008), Layperson of the Diocese of Frascati; Founder of the Focolare Movement
- Igino Giordani [Foco] – (1894–1980), Married Layperson of the Diocese of Frascati; Cofounder (Italy)
- Albertina Violi Zirondoli – (1901–1972), Married Layperson of the Diocese of Fiesole; Consecrated Member (Italy)
- Alberto Michelotti – (1958–1980), Young Layperson of the Archdiocese of Genoa; Member (Italy)
- Carlo Grisolia [Vir] – (1960–1980), Young Layperson of the Archdiocese of Genoa; Member (Italy)
- Maria Cecilia Perrin de Buide – (1957–1985), Married Layperson of the Archdiocese of Bahia Blanca; Member (Argentina)
- Margarita Bavosi [Luminosa] – (1941–1985), Layperson of the Archdiocese of Madrid; Consecrated Member (Argentina-Italy)
- Renata Borlone – (1930–1990), Layperson of the Diocese of Fiesole; Consecrated Member (Italy)
- Santa Scorese – (1968–1991), Young Layperson of the Diocese of Bari-Bitonto; Associate; Martyr (Italy)
- Dario Porta – (1930–1996), Priest of the Diocese of Parma; Member (Italy)
- Manuel Pascual Perrin – (1925–2000), Married Layperson of the Archdiocese of Bahia Blanca; Member (Argentina)
- Ginetta Calliari – (1918–2001), Layperson of the Diocese of Osasco; Consecrated Member (Italy-Brazil)
- Domenico Antonio Mangano – (1938–2001), Married Layperson of the Diocese of Albano; Member of the Volunteers of God – Focolare Movement (Italy)
References
- ^ "History". Focolare Movement. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ Citta Nuova. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- ^ "Opera di Maria". www.laici.va. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "focolare - Dizionario italiano-inglese WordReference". wordreference.com.
- ^ a b c d "International Associations of the Faithful, Directory - Pontifical Councils for the Laity". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ a b c Gallagher, Jim. A woman's work: Chiara Lubich, Harper Collins Publisher, Ltd., London 1997
- ^ Mariapolis Luminosa
- ^ "ottmaring.org: Startseite". www.ottmaring.org (in German). Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ ":: Gli amici di MAN ::". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "Focolare Towns". Focolare Movement. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ Cf. C. Lubich, I volontari di Dio, in "Città Nuova" (1957), anno II n. 1 /, in C. Lubich, Attualità, leggere il proprio tempo edited by M. Zanzucchi, Città Nuova, Rome 2013, pp. 11-13
- ^ "Scuola Abbà". Foculare Movement. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "Teens4Unity". www.teens4unity.org (in Italian). Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "Igino Giordani - Foco". www.iginogiordani.info. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "The Focolare Movement | МСІ-Milites Christi Imperatoris". christusimperat.org. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "Pope Francis: Try to change the rules of the socio-economic system". Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "Memo to a divided church: Meet the Focolare". National Catholic Reporter. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "Church's most powerful woman focuses on unity". Crux. 13 February 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
- ^ "Maria Voce". Focolare Movement.
- ^ a b "Francis gives Focolare three words, as the movement is renewed". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "Independent Inquiry", GCPS Consulting
- ^ Neuville, Heloise de, "Three Focolare leaders in Europe resign amidst abuse query", La Croix, October 26, 2020
- ^ Tourn, Federica. "Abuse report from global Catholic group Focolare leaves many questions unanswered", National Catholic Reporter, July 17, 2023
- ^ Lubich, Chiara. Editoriale in "La Rete" n. 1, 5 Marzo 1957
- ^ "About New City Press". New City Press. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Dianne Bergant, CSA". Catholic Theological Union. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
- ^ "Faculty Profiles". St. Bonaventure University. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
- ^ "Ronald D. Witherup". Crossroad. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
- ^ "Gen". Focolare Movement. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "New Humanity Movement". www.umanitanuova.org. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "Umanità Nuova". Focolare Movement (in Italian). 27 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "Unità e Carismi". www.relipress.org. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "Homepage - Città Nuova". Città Nuova (in Italian). Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "New City Press PH". www.newcityph.com. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "Benvenuto sul sito ufficiale dell'EdC!". www.edc-online.org (in Italian). Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "Italian teen one step closer to sainthood". Catholic News Agency.
Bibliography
- Bowie, Fiona (2003). "An anthropology of religious experience: spirituality, gender and cultural transmission in the Focolare movement". Ethnos. 68 (1): 49–72. doi:10.1080/0014184032000060362. ISSN 0014-1844. S2CID 144380573.
- Urquhart, Gordon (1999). The Pope's Armada: Unlocking the Secrets of Mysterious and Powerful New Sects in the Church. London: Bantam Press. ISBN 9780593033883.
- That All May Be One: origins and life of the Focolare Movement, New City Press, New York, 1969
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Living City Magazine magazine published by the Focolare
- Pag-asa Social Center Foundation Inc one of the social expressions of the Focolare