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The WCC, and the Focolare movement founded by Chiara Lubich will hold a round table discussion addressing the theme of “Peace and justice, fruits of unity” on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Lubich’s last visit to Geneva and five years after her passing away.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Focolare movement founded by Chiara Lubich will hold a round table discussion addressing the theme of “Peace and justice, fruits of unity” on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Lubich’s last visit to Geneva and five years after her passing away.

During her first visit to the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, the president of the Focolare movement Dr Maria Emmaus Voce invited the staff of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and other ecumenical organizations to live out the words of Jesus Christ so "that they give us that unity which bears witness to God in the world."

Recalling the charisma of Chiara Lubich as a "flame of love that began to shine in the midst of the ashes and destruction of war" in a tribute to the founder of the Focolare movement, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia shared the "deep sorrow" of her many friends on the WCC upon the news of her death. Chiara Lubich, who dedicated herself to the promotion of peace, church unity and inter-religious dialogue, died on 14 March aged 88 at her home near Rome, Italy.

At today's ecumenical Vespers service presided by Pope Benedict XVI, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia underlined the importance of "a church that is one and united in its witness" to a world marked by violence and disunity.  The service in Rome marked the conclusion of the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Following an invitation from the public information team of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Henri Tincq, who has been in charge of religious news at the prestigious French daily "Le Monde" since 1985, interviewed Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser. The interview took place in Geneva, on Wednesday, 29 October 2003, as Raiser approached the end of his term as general secretary of WCC. This interview can be freely reproduced. A high-resolution photograph is also available free of charge (see below).

Chiara Lubich, the founder and president of the Focolare movement for spiritual and social renewal, will visit Geneva, 25-28 October 2002. Lubich's message of "spirituality for unity" in all areas of life and humanity is of great interest to the organizations hosting her visit: the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Protestant Church of Geneva, and the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.