EUROPE/ITALY - “Christ crucified and abandoned, the face of God who is Love and the way for humanity”: Encyclical “Deus Caritas est” focus of 30th spiritual Meeting for Bishop Friends of the Focolari Movement

Rome (Fides Service) - The 30th spiritual Meeting for Bishop Friends of Focolari Movement started on 11 February at the Centro Mariapoli in Castelgandolfo, outside Rome. The meeting sponsored by Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, Archbishop of Prague, will focus on the first Encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI “Deus caritas est”. The main conference will be given by Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, Archbishop of Florence. In line with the thought of the Holy Father, reflection will centre on Christ crucified as a source and model of love, focussing on the pain of feeling abandoned, so difficult to understand and yet so close to modern man, as Chiara Lubich says with spirituality of unity.
Other points of interest will include evangelisation of young people, collaboration among Church movements in view of a gathering at Pentecost in St Peter’s Square, opportunities for spiritual ecumenism, witness of life of bishops, priests and lay people. The Bishops taking part will meet Pope Benedict XVI for the first time at the Wednesday General Audience on 15 February. The meeting will close on Friday 17 February. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2006, righe 14, parole 180)