Chiara Lubich's visit to the UK,
June 2004

Press Releases

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Rich in Diversity

More than two thousand people, representing all the major faith communities in Britain, packed Westminster Central Hall on Saturday (19 June) for an event that will go down as a landmark in interfaith dialogue. "Imagine a World Enriched by Diversity", organised by the Focolare Movement, showed how genuine interfaith dialogue is both possible and necessary for a harmonious society.

Dr Mohammad Shomali, a Shi’ite Muslim and head of Religious Studies at the seminary of Qum in Iran, gave an impressive testimony of his meeting with the Focolare while studying for a doctorate in Manchester. He said that he had been looking for some time to establish a meaningful dialogue with Christians and when he came across the Focolare Movement he felt he had discovered people who were open to dialogue. He has since organised a number of exchange visits and seminars, both in Britain and in Iran and continues to promote dialogue between Islam and Christianity.

Didi Talkwari, leader of Swadhyaya, a vast movement which is present in more than 100,000 villages in India and has members all over the world, spoke of her work and of her meeting with Focolare in 2002. She explained how she immediately felt attracted to the Focolare spirituality, based on love of God and love of neighbour, and how she regards Chiara Lubich as her spiritual mother.

The final session of the day began with the entrance of a group of Africans dressed in traditional dress who danced their way on to the stage. These were members of the Bangwa people from Cameroon, with their leader, the Fon of Fonjumentaw. Focolare has had a link with this people since 1966, when some of its doctors and nurses went there. They were able to help resolve the problem of 95% infant mortality in the village and went on to set up a hospital and later a school. A representative of the Bangwa paid tribute to Chiara, whom he referred to as "mafua" or queen, after which the group performed another traditional dance.

Baroness Shirley Williams introduced Chiara Lubich describing her as a ‘woman who understood that individuals can overturn worlds, change minds, light fires, inspire great hope through many, many thousands of people’. In her talk entitled "What future for a multi-ethnic, multicultural, multifaith society?" Chiara Lubich spoke about the "golden rule" which is common to all the major world religions and which says: "Do to others as you would have them do to you" or "Do to no one what you yourself dislike". She also spoke of the need for a "respectful dialogue" between people of different faiths, in order to remove ignore and increase knowledge of the other.

Also present on the platform with Chiara Lubich and Baroness Williams, were Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and the Archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Conti.

Responding to Chiara Lubich’s address Dr Zaki Badawi, a leading Muslim, commented that he found great hope and encouragement in Chiara’s words and that he too was in favour this respectful dialogue as the way forward. Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor concluded by thanking Chiara, not so much for what she does, but for what she is.

The event concluded with a colourful "multicultural walkdown" by representatives of the various nationalities, cultures and faiths present in the hall.

For further information and/or photos contact:
Frank Johnson on: 07867 766517 or Noreen Lockhart on 07762 107008

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More than 30 MPs sign up for meeting with Focolare leader (See note 1)

More than 30 MPs signed up for a meeting with Chiara Lubich, founder and president of the Focolare Movement, renowned world wide for her efforts to build unity and dialogue at every level between people of different races and backgrounds.

Following a private meeting with the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Michael Martin MP, Chiara Lubich gave her address on Tuesday 22 June at 18.00 hrs in the Palace of Westminster. Former International Development Secretary Clare Short MP indicated she would be present, as well as Lord Ahmed of Rotherham and MPs and Peers of all political persuasions. The 84 year-old Focolare leader addressed parliamentarians on "Liberty, equality...what happened to fraternity?" The talk was followed by a brief question and answer session.

The Hon. Giuseppe Gambale, a member of the Italian Parliament, spoke briefly on the Movement for Unity in Politics, first launched in Italy in 1996, and since spread to politicians in other European nations and in Latin America.

The Italian Ambassador, HE Giancarlo Aragona, was also be present.

Copies of Chiara Lubich’s talk available on request.

For further information contact:
Frank Johnson on: 07867 766517 or Noreen Lockhart on: 07762 107008

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1 Note to editors:
Rt Hon Tom Clarke MP, Lord David Alton and Mr Alistair Burt MP will host the event

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Imagine a World Enriched by Diversity

‘Imagine a world … enriched by diversity’ (see Note 1) – an event organised by the Focolare Movement on Saturday, 19th June 2004 (10.30am to 5.30pm) in Westminster Central Hall – promises to be an extraordinary gathering of people, young and old, from all over the UK. Through a series of talks, reflections and the performing arts involving many different cultures, the day will bring together Christians from every denomination and representatives of the different faith communities – all united in a common purpose: to strive for a more peaceful, more united world.

At 4pm the keynote address will be delivered by UNESCO Peace Prizewinner, Chiara Lubich, on the theme: ‘What future for a multi-ethnic, multicultural, multifaith society?’. Baroness Shirley Williams will make a contribution to the day; other special guests include Bishop Tom Butler, and Dr Zaki Badawi.

Ms Lubich’s outstanding work for unity and dialogue has received international recognition from the European Community (Human Rights Award, 1998) and from UNESCO (the Peace Education Prize, 1996). In 1996 she was awarded the Gold Cross of St Augustine by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Carey. She has addressed Church leaders throughout the world, and spoken at major gatherings of Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. Chiara Lubich has also addressed politicians and has spoken at the United Nations and the European Parliament. On 22nd June 2004 she will address MPs and Peers in the Houses of Parliament.

At an age when most people would be slowing down, Chiara Lubich continues to gain energy and an ever greater capacity to explore new ways of crossing the divides. In a post 9/11 world, where we come face to face every day with so many situations of suffering and conflict, Chiara Lubich’s message could not be more timely.

For further information contact:
Frank Johnson on: 07867 766517 or Noreen Lockhart on: 07762 107008

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1Note to editors: Special guests at Westminster Central Hall on Saturday 19 June
Baroness Shirley Williams, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords
Dr Zaki Badawi, Chair of the Council of Imams and Mosques
Bai Sahib Mohinder Singh, Sikh leader of GNNSJ, based at Handsworth Gurdwara, Birmingham
Archbishop Mario Conti, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow
Bishop Tom Butler, Anglican Bishop of Southwark & Joint Chairman Interfaith Network
Baroness Kathleen Richardson, Moderator of the Church’s Commission on Interfaith Relations