What is the Focolare Movement?

Answer

The Focolare Movement originated in 1943 in Italy as “a current of spiritual and social renewal” within the Catholic Church. Focolare (Italian for “hearth”) was founded by a woman named Chiara Lubich with a focus on the universal brotherhood of humanity and ecumenical unity. Lubich conceived the idea of Focolare after reflecting on John 17:21: “That all of them may be one.”

Initially, the Focolare Movement consisted of a community of women who resided together in Trent, Italy. Following the conclusion of World War II, many of these women dispersed to different cities to propagate the movement, primarily within the Roman Catholic Church. Focolare currently asserts to have around 120,000 followers in 194 countries. While most members are Catholic, the organization also includes adherents from other faith traditions such as Anglicans, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs. Additionally, the movement incorporates a segment of its activities aimed at “individuals of no religious affiliation,” such as agnostics and atheists.

The Focolare Movement advocates Marian theology. Chiara Lubich occasionally described her organization as “the Work of Mary,” envisioning that the Focolarini were introducing Jesus to the world, akin to Mary’s role. Focolare views Mary as the catalyst for unity: “In the image of Mary, this Movement is like her cloak, which embraces all the diverse manifestations of the Church and humanity, as it has been endowed by God with the ability to unite them as a family. This endowment, this charism, renders the Movement akin to Mary in her maternal and unifying function” (Chiara Lubich, from www.focolare.org/en/movimento-dei-focolari/un-popolo/, accessed 7/19/2017).

The objective of the Focolare Movement is to “embody the gospel” to transcend all divisions and foster global peace. This is an admirable aspiration, and all Christians should strive to adhere to the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, Focolare is not

About evangelizing the world or seeking converts to Jesus Christ; it is about bringing together everyone who believes in “God,” whether or not they accept Jesus (see John 14:1). But faith in a generically defined “God” is no virtue (see James 2:19).

Focolare is about seeking peace not on the basis of shared faith in Christ but on the basis of common humanity (see Jeremiah 6:14). It is about exalting Mary as the universal mother. It is about promoting Catholicism even as it dialogues with other world religions; it has been unofficially affiliated with Catholicism since its start, and officially since 1990.

True Christian unity is built upon the truths of the Bible, including salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Jesus made the exclusive claim to be the way, the truth, and the life and said that no one can come to the Father except through Him «Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. », (John 14:6). The apostles taught there is no other name under heaven by which people must be saved «Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. », (Acts 4:12). Because the Focolare Movement embraces religions that hold to different gods and different ways of salvation, it cannot be considered a biblical Christian movement.

Paul describes true Christian unity in Ephesians 4:3–6: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” World peace is a laudable goal, but not at the expense of truth. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is also the Truth.