Ecclesial movements’ work to promote peace should be “an effort to witness” that it is possible, according to Maria Voce, president of the Focolare movement.
Voce spoke with CNA May 14, at the end of her trip around the world to visit Focolare communities and to preparing for the movement’s assembly, which will take place Sept. 1-28. The assembly will lead to the election of a new president and board, six years after the death of their founder, Chiara Lubich.
While Voce was in the Middle East, Pope Francis called for the Sept. 7 day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria. “The meeting was strong because the moment made it strong,” she said. “The Pope told me that he had really been inspired by the Holy Spirit in promoting and announcing that evening of prayer, and that he strongly felt the need to do it. It seemed to us that our trip had helped the Pope’s effort for peace.”