New movements renew faith in today’s world, says Holy Father

Vatican City, Dec 7, 2003 / 22:00 pm

In a letter sent to Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, to mark the 60th anniversary its foundation, Pope John Paul II reaffirmed his confidence in the lay apostolic movements and associations.

In the letter, the Pope says humanity is in danger of losing its soul as it is increasingly set upon pursuing “passing interests.” 

The Holy Father also writes that at the dawn of the third millennium “there is an urgent duty for a renewed commitment on the part of believers to respond to the challenges of the new evangelization.”

From this point of view, an important role is entrusted to ecclesial movements, outstanding among which are the Focolarini."

John Paul II praised the witness of the Focolarini, who he described as “apostles of dialogue, as a privileged way for promoting unity: dialogue within the Church, ecumenical dialogue, interreligious dialogue, dialogue with non-believers.”