March 2009

President Niwano Sends Message to Focolare Movement on First Anniversary of Its Founder's Death

On March 14, a ceremony titled "With Chiara-A Continuing Dialogue" to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Ms. Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, was held at the Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo, a suburb of Rome, with the participation of some 3,000 people. Ms. Lubich died on March 14 last year. The head of Rissho Kosei-kai's External Affairs Group (Interfaith), Rev. Keiichi Akagawa, read out a message from President Nichiko Niwano.

In his message President Niwano praised Ms. Lubich's virtues and paid respect to Ms. Maria Voce, Focolare's new president, and other Focolare members for keeping alive Ms. Lubich's founding spirit. He also expressed hope for further dialogue and cooperation between Rissho Kosei-kai and the Focolare Movement, and emphasized that joining Ms. Lubich's spirit of love and unity with Rissho Kosei-kai founder Rev. Nikkyo Niwano's spirit of compassion and the One Vehicle can make members of both organizations a great force for world peace.

Memorial services for Ms. Lubich were held by Focolare members and leaders of other faith communities in 350 cities around the world. In Rome on the same day, Cardinal Paul Poupard, a former president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, presided at a memorial Mass at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. In Tokyo on the 8th, Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi presided at a memorial Mass at Kojimachi Catholic Church (Saint Ignatius Church) in Tokyo.

March 14, 2009

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