ECCLESIAL MOVEMENTS FOR THE NEW EVANGELIZATION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2001 (VIS) - More than 1,300 priests, deacons, seminarians and ministers of other Churches and ecclesial communities are gathering at the Mariapolis Center in Castelgandolfo for the 10th International Theological-pastoral Meeting promoted by the Focolare Movement on the theme "Ecclesial Movements for the New Evangelization."

The meeting began this morning at 9:30 and ends on June 28 with a concelebrated Mass at 12 noon presided over by Cardinal Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. Participants are from 44 countries and represent, in addition to Catholics, the Orthodox, Anglicans and Evangelical Lutherans.

Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, opened the meeting with a talk on "The New Evangelization, with Special Reference to the Experience of the Focolare Movement." Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, presided at a concelebrated Mass to end the morning session. Tomorrow morning, Cardinal James Stafford, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity will read a Message from the Holy Father and then speak on "The Contribution of Ecclesial Movements to Evangelization in a Secularized World."

Founders of various ecclesial movements are expected to be present. In addition to the Focolare, the movements represented include Schoenstatt, Communion and Liberation, the Sant'Egidio Community, the Neocatechumenal Way and Renewal in the Spirit.

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