All faiths praise Lubich

The tributes paid to Chiara Lubich following her death on March 14 are proof of the high esteem in which this remarkable Italian woman was held, not only by Catholics, but also by representatives of other faiths and denominations. Her funeral in Rome's San Paolo Fuori le mura basilica was attended among others by representatives from all major religions including Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs.

Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said that "with her life she has and continues to give much to the whole Church". Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams described her as "one of the great figures of the modern Church", adding that her writings "gave inspiration to hundreds of thousands". Cardinal Murphy O'Connor of Westminster said that we "are all indebted to her work with the Focolare Movement, especially in building friendship between Christians and with peoples of other faiths". Pope Benedict XVI praised her "constant commitment for communion in the Church, for ecumenism and brotherhood among all peoples". The Focolare Movement, which she founded during World War II in northern Italy today has 140,000 members and over two million followers in 80 countries. During the past 60 years the movement has built 35 little towns dedicated to Mary, known as 'Mariapolis', inspired by the monastic settlements of the Middle Ages. In 1964, the movement founded an ecumenical centre in Rome. Pope John Paul II held Lubich in such esteem that he twice invited her to address the synod of bishops in Rome.

May the light that this holy Italian woman lit continue to shine and lead the way towards understanding, brotherly love and unity among peoples of all faiths.