IRD Activities

• Catholic Church

  Communion between Ecclesial Movements and new Communities is something new in the history of the Church, but it has spread rapidly in all parts of the world. Over the years, the dialogue among movements has opened new horizons. Since the beginning of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich had opportunities to meet several people who were the bearers of charisms. This communion is also built in other ways. Movements gather together for moments of prayer, they take part in common projects also at social and political levels, practice mutual hospitality, attend one another’s meetings and celebrations, and reserve space for this dialogue in their press

• Christian Churches

  The Focolare has a particular ecumenical lifestyle. Within the Movement there are Christians from approximately 350 churches and ecclesial communities who whilst being rooted in their own church are at the same time able to create links between Christians in a variety of other churches. The Movement aims to make a real contribution to breaking down the walls that separate the Churches removing prejudices and providing the space where the different types of ecumenical dialogue can bear fruit. This ‘dialogue of life’ enables Christians to give witness to the possibility of living together

• World Religions

  In view of the current world scene which is profoundly transforming itself into an increasingly multicultural and multi-religious society, the Focolare Movement is committed to promoting dialogue between religions, because the religious pluralism of the world should not be a cause of division and war, but contribute to the building of brotherhood and world peace. The spreading of the Focolare Movement has, in fact, contributed to opening a dialogue with all the main religions of the world through its contacts with the followers of these religions, but also in contact with their leaders and members of vast movements

• Persons of no Religious Affiliation

  In Italy, other parts of Europe and South America there are dialogue groups made up of a mix of people of those who have a faith and others with no particular religious affiliation. The members of these groups all have the desire to work together to create fraternity within the family of humanity. The dialogue serves to develop and deepen the promotion of human values shared through life and reflection referring to such themes as ‘secularism and faith’ or other contemporary topics. Some people from the groups are involved in initiatives that are cultural or provide solidarity in some way for those in need. This is a dialogue that is all encompassing, it isn’t sectarian or restricted to specific times and places as it comes from an openness to one another that is rooted within the heart of thought and action

• Culture

  One development of the charism of unity has been the beginning of a dialogue marked by reciprocity, with the world of culture and all of its various disciplines and expressions: politics, economy, art, media, education, psychology, sociology, medicine, law, architecture, environmental science, and sport. It is promoted by international secretariats and by small nuclei of people which are emerging in different lands through meetings, seminars, convention, forums, and workshops. Their purpose is to offer a set of ideas, of cultural contributions, but also existential and constructive experiences. This dialogue is open to all who feel the urgency of the challenges that we are facing today, in order to elaborate a line of thought and a doctrine in each of the various fields, inspired by the paradigm of unity. And this does not mean uniqueness, but, rather, a discourse with a plurality of thoughts, perspectives, and ideas from yesterday and today, and not only for the sake of comparison, but in order to generate an innovative result for the culture.

Main Focus Countries of Activities

World - World - World - World - World