33-40 COMMUNIQUE 3-Summer 2022.XCORR1.qxp_Culture 6/17/22 3:36 PM Page 33
Summer 2022
Issue 3
The spark is becoming a flame DEAR FRIENDS, In the past several years, the Praised be the Lord Jesus world has seen Christians, and Christ, who has brought us out all people, pitted against one of darkness into His Light! another – by the Covid panSometimes it looks as if the demic, controversy over vaccidarkness is still pressing in nations and bodily autonomy, around us, but the Light is, after and now a conflict between all, within us, and it is up to us Russia and Ukraine. Unitas is to shed that light into the surworking in Ukraine as well, to rounding world. This is why we bring relief to the victims of first conceived of our Unitas: war, a war Pope Francis himCome, Rebuild My Church iniself vocally opposes. Unitas is tiative and set it into motion last now planning a roundtable in year, and that is why we continAssisi, a forum in which reliue to expand its work in three gious and lay leaders can bring statue of the Shrine of Our Lady main areas of “Unity”: unity of The fresh insights to the quest for of Lebanon in Harissa, east of Beirut each soul with God; unity withpeace. in the Catholic Church; unity between Catholics and the Our work to bring the Light into the darkness is now more Orthodox, our brothers in faith and sacrament. important than ever. Our Unitas Centers, centers intended to foster unity As the great hermit saint of Lebanon, St. Charbel reminds between each soul and God, are coming into being through diaus: “Every person is a torch of light; our Lord created him to logue we are conducting with leaders in Assisi and the United illumine the world.” States. We intend them to be loci of worship, spiritual enrichIn Christ, ment and theological insight that welcome Catholics from all walks of life. We continue to pursue the cause of unity within our Editor, Inside the Vatican magazine Church, principally through covering key issues for all Founder and President, Urbi et Orbi Communications Catholics in our flagship publication, Inside the Vatican magazine, and through online discussions, videos and guest appearances on other platforms. One example: our release of “The Franco Tapes” grappled with important debates within TABLE of CONTENTS Catholicism; they are now available on our YouTube channel. Unitas Update………......................2 With regard to unity with the Orthodox, Lebanon has beReflection……………......................4 come a focus for us. It is a place where Catholics and Orthodox can walk together even as events in Ukraine and elseLebanon Report……........................5 where pull them apart. Unitas is working with our friends in People………………........................6 Lebanon, both Catholic and Orthodox, to help struggling Christians to thrive again, and remain in the land where Jesus Pilgrimages………….......................7 Himself once walked. Even Muslims and Christians can learn Digital Platforms……......................8 to respect one another if Lebanon becomes once again, in the words of John Paul II, “a message of peace.”
URBI ET ORBI COMMUNICATIONS u 14 W. MAIN ST., FRONT ROYAL, VA 22630 +1.202.536.4555 u UrbiEtOrbiCommunications.com. 1