Catholic lay movement leader Chiara Lubich dies

ITALY: THOUSANDS OF people are expected to attend the funeral of Chiara Lubich, founder of the international Focolare movement, at the St Paul's Outside the Walls Basilica in Rome at 3pm this afternoon. The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Bertone, will preside. One of the most influential women in contemporary Catholicism, Chiara Lubich was 88 when she died last Friday at her home south of Rome.

She had been in poor health for some time. The Focolare movement currently has more than 140,000 core members and 2.1 million adherents in 182 countries. It attempts to spread Christian values by strengthening traditional families and promoting ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue.

On hearing of her death Pope Benedict wrote of her "long and fruitful life" characterised by "constant commitment for communion in the Church, for ecumenical dialogue and for fraternity among all peoples". Since Friday thousands have been filing past her remains in Rome.

Among those from Ireland who have expressed their condolences were President Mary McAleese, Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times