Focolare Movement: Difference between revisions
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== Mariapolis == |
== Mariapolis == |
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Every summer the Movement holds local retreats termed Mariapolises, where members and newcomers come together to discuss the Movement and its spirituality. The first Mariapolis was held in 1949 in Fiera di Primiero, in the heart of Italy's Dolomite Mountains. Each year, over 200,000 persons attend a Mariapolis.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} At Mariapolis it's common to have |
Every summer the Movement holds local retreats termed Mariapolises, where members and newcomers come together to discuss the Movement and its spirituality. The first Mariapolis was held in 1949 in Fiera di Primiero, in the heart of Italy's Dolomite Mountains. Each year, over 200,000 persons attend a Mariapolis.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}} At Mariapolis it's common to have an Ecumenic prayer room, or a panel discussion with leaders from multiple faiths. These short summertime retreats are related to, the Permanent Mariapolises, 33 little cities that serve as Focolare centers. |
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== Criticism == |
== Criticism == |
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Revision as of 00:52, 23 July 2010
The Focolare Movement is an international organization that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brotherhood. Founded in 1943[1] in Trento, northern Italy by Chiara Lubich as a religious movement, the Focolare Movement, though primarily Roman Catholic, now has strong links to the major Christian denominations and other religions, or in some cases, with the non-religious. It is also called the "Opera di Maria," or "Work of Mary". The Focolare Movement operates in 182 nations and has over 100,000 adherents.[2][3] The Movement's name comes from the Italian word for "hearth" or "family fireside".[4]
History and charism
The movement was founded by Chiara Lubich, together with a small group of friends in a bomb shelter during WWII.[5] Their stated goal was to establish a strong dialogue between faiths.[6]
Areas of outreach
The movement currently has 18 branches and six mass movements.[citation needed]
The group is credited with negotiating Emmanuel Milingo's return to the church after his 2001 elopement.[7]
Mariapolis
Every summer the Movement holds local retreats termed Mariapolises, where members and newcomers come together to discuss the Movement and its spirituality. The first Mariapolis was held in 1949 in Fiera di Primiero, in the heart of Italy's Dolomite Mountains. Each year, over 200,000 persons attend a Mariapolis.[citation needed] At Mariapolis it's common to have an Ecumenic prayer room, or a panel discussion with leaders from multiple faiths. These short summertime retreats are related to, the Permanent Mariapolises, 33 little cities that serve as Focolare centers.
Criticism
Focolare Movement is also criticized as a "sect within the Catholic church"[8]. The Movement has the following sect/cult characteristics[9]:
- personal cult of the leader
- hidden rigid hierarchy
- efficient internal communication system
- secret knowledge,revealed to the followers in steps of initiation
- extensive activities in new members recruitment
- member indoctrination
- high ambition for the influence in the Church and in society
Many former Movement followers have been witnessing the pressure of ego destruction, which eventually results in depressions and mental breakdowns.
References
- ^ "Rights prize goes jointly to Italian, Turkish, Ulster activists", Associated Press Worldstream, June 05, 1998, retrieved February 19, 2010
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Fang, Tony; Liang, Alice (February 14, 2001), "ROC PRESIDENT AWARDS FOUNDER OF FOCOLARE MOVEMENT", Central News Agency - Taiwan, retrieved February 19, 2010
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "UNESCO peace prize for founder of Focolare movement", Deutsche Presse-Agentur, August 12, 1996, retrieved February 19, 2010
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ focolare - Dizionario Inglese-Italiano WordReference.com
- ^ Briggs, David (June 20, 1997), "Focolare founder preaches unity in love", Associated Press AM Wire, retrieved February 19, 2010
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Chiara Lubich foundress of Focolare Movement dead at 88", Deutsche Presse-Agentur, March 14, 2008, retrieved February 19, 2010
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Zambia; Milingo Returns to Vatican Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo Has Returned to the Vatican.", Africa News, February 22, 2004, retrieved February 19, 2010
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "website for and by ex-members"
- ^ "Gordon Urquhart, Jesus wept..."