Focolare Movement reaches out to Catholics in Pakistan

(Feb.23,2010): In Pakistan, Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore has urged the Focolare Movement, little-known in the country, to reach out to local Catholics. The prelate told Focolare members that most educated Catholics are not Churchgoers, and requested them to evangelize in parishes and dioceses. The archbishop made the request during a homily on Sunday,
Feb. 21, shortly after the arrival of Focolare president Maria Voce at the Renewal Center in Youhanabad, the largest Christian enclave in Pakistan on the southern outskirts of Lahore. The prelate praised the international lay movement, which aims to foster unity and dialogue among all people, for “alleviating the spiritual hunger” in the Church.
Maria Voce is visiting Pakistan on the last leg of her first Asian tour and met 325 Pakistani and overseas Focolare members at the Renewal Center. The movement was founded in 1943 in Trento, Italy, by Chiara Lubich and has spread rapidly across the world. However its presence in Pakistan has remained small. Voce’s Asian tour included South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand. Her Pakistan visit coincided with the 45th anniversary of the movement’s arrival in the majority-Muslim nation. Voce held a meeting with Focolare council members in Lahore on Monday. She is to return to Italy on Wed. Feb 24.