Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 December 2005 — Page 13

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2005

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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AL-ISLAM IN AMERICA First International Congress of Communion and the Law

Federal District Court Judge Stephen C. Robinson (right) of the Southern District of New York and Judge David A. Shaheed of the Marion County Superior Court both participated in the International Congress in Castelgondolfo, Italy.

By JUDGE DAVID SHAHEED Guest Columnist

With Allah’s name, the merciful benefactor, the merciful redeemer. For those familiar with Chiara Lubich, the founder and charismatic spiritual leader of the Focolare Movement, it should be no surprise that she has expanded her influence to legal professionals. In recent years Chiarahas reached out to professionals in a variety of disciplines to encourage them to incorporate her concept of “mutual love” into their work. Over 750 law students, judges, law professors and practicing lawyers from around the world traveled to the Mariopolis Center in Castelgondolfo, Italy, in response to her invitation to participate in the First International Congress of Communion and the Law. The official title for the Congress was, “Relationships in the Law: is there a place of fraternity?” Many of us in America became familiar with the Focolare community after they presented Imam W. Been Mohammed, leader of the largest community of American Muslims, with the Luminosa Award in 1997. The award was presented for his efforts over many years to clarify Islam’s position regarding other faith communities through his lectures and participation in interfaith dialogue. The following year, Imam Mohammed invited Chiara Lubich, the leader of the Fo-

colare Movement, to address members of his community at the historic Malcolm Shabazz Mosque in Harlem, New York. Her address at that mosque inaugurated a Mus-lim-Christian dialogue that far surpasses the dialogue with any other religious community. Chiara Lubich, a Catholic, began reaching out to other denominations of Christianity first. Later, she expanded that dialogue to include Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and most recently Jews. However, according to the leadership in the Focolare community, the most vibrant dialogue is the dialogue with the Muslims in America. After welcome to the congress and appropriate introductions were made, Natalia Dallapiccolo, one of the early companions of Chiara Lubich, read Chiara’s statement to the congress, which set the tone for the meeting and presentations that followed. Chiara said, “Many see in the so-called ‘golden rule,’ common to many religions - do not do to others as you would not have them do to you - the moral basis of the old precept neminem laedere (do no harm). Today it is also the basis for the protection of inviolable human rights. But, I would like to propose that you open your reflection to an even higher and vaster dimension.... Law, right from its inception, has been perceived as the set of rules governing societal life, indeed as

the order of society itself. I would like to see this regulating function vivified by the new commandment of mutual love, to encourage the complete fulfillment of people and the relations they establish. Thus, through your normative functions, as in the daily relations that the legal practice encompasses, you can contribute to making humanity one family.” The remainder of the congress comprised a wellcrafted balance of academic papers and the sharing of pro-

fessional life experiences. The academic papers or formal presentations were meant to show that the concepts of “relationships” and “fraternity” were not foreign to the legal field and its historic foundations. Notwithstanding the fact that the legal professionals came from many different countries and legal systems with different laws and procedures, the formal presentations were meant to bridge those differences so that all could embrace

the ideal presented without being overwhelmed by perceived jurisdictional barriers related to existing doctrines in each participant’s home country. The sharing experiences provided practical applications of the concepts of “relationships” and “fraternity” in the legal workplace. Professor Agnes Berhard ofAustria discussed “The Elements of Fraternity in Constitutional Law.” Later that afternoon, Cesar Guzman Barron of Peru showed how conflicts in Peru had been resolved by seeking alternative solutions that considered all parties’ interests instead of pursuing the ultimate victory through the courts. Professor Marco Aquini of Angelicum University in Italy discussed “Fraternity and Human Rights: Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of International Human Rights.” Touching upon the family issues that are common in all countries, Adeline de Latalade, a judge in Paris, spoke about her work as a family court judge. Judge Munir Cury of Brazil discussed international adoptions within the social context of Brazil. In the criminal justice context, Attorney Douglas Ammar of Atlanta, spoke about the Georgia Justice Project, which helps criminal defendants, offenders and their families navigate the criminal justice system from the court rooms in Georgia to prison and back into society. Professor Gerald F. Uelmen of Santa Clara Univer-

sity School of Law presented his experience with drug courts in California. Perhaps the most moving presentation was that of an ex-of-fender from Austria, who after spending 25 ofhis first 42 years on Earth in various prisons, became a part of the Emmaus Community, which helps ex-prisoners with their social reintegration into society. With the help of Emmaus he was able to marry and is now an instructor in the Emmaus Community helping other ex-offenders. The congress ended on Nov. 20 with an open dialogue on the themes of the congress moderated by former Italian Supreme Court Justice Giovanni Caso. Although there was general acceptance of the principles presented at the congress, it was acknowledged by at least one responder that these ideals would be swimming against the tide in America. The dean of a law school in the United States commented that the traditional notions of individual freedoms, glorification of selfinterests and profit-directed business decisions, which frame the environment of a legal education and practice oflaw in America, are in conflict with “communion” and “fraternity” as presented. None could argue, however, that Chiara Lubich has started a dialogue within the legal profession that has the potential to change peoples’ lives around the globe.

The source of Vision

By DR. MYLES MUNROE StreamingFaith.com From AOL Black Voices

If you are going to be successful in your vision, you must have a daily, dynamic personal prayer life with God. Why? Because you need continual communion and fellowship with the source of vision. Remember that you were born to consult God to find out his purpose for your life so that you can discover your vision. Yet as the “Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 1:8 NKJV), God is not only the author of your vision, but also your continuing support as you progress toward its fulfillment. You will never achieve your vision without prayer, because prayer is what keeps you connected to the visiongiver. Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches...Apart from me, you can do nothing.” If you stay in touch with God, you will always be nourished in both life and vision. Sometimes, in the pursuit of your vision, you will grow weary emotionally and spiritually if things don’t seem to be working out for you. When you have been pressed, criticized, and opposed, you can become weak in faith. That is when you must

Dr. Myles Munroe

stagger back to your prayer closet and say, “God, I want to give up,” so that you can hear him say to you, “What you began will be finished.” Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Prayer is the place where you can take all your burdens to God and say, “God, I have to make it,” and he will say, “I’m with you. What are you afraid of?” “The Lord is my light and my salvation? whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life? of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1). God will bring you through your difficulties and give you the victory through prayer based on his word. There are many days (and nights) when I stumble into my prayer room and say, “God, if you won’t help me in this, I want you to take me home to you.” Visions can be very demanding. It can be difficult running a business. It can be tough trying to start a new company. It can be hard trying to pursue a new aspect of your vision or doing something that no one else has ever done before. It can be stressful trying to go to school to earn a degree. Sometimes, you will feel, “Am I ever going to make it?” That’s a good time to run to God. Prayer means getting away from the noise and confusion of life and saying, “God, I’m not going back out there.” Yet if you will let him encourage and refresh you, by the time you have finished praying, you will be saying, “I’m ready to go again!” Dr. Myles Munroe is the founder,president, and senior pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, a network of ministries headquartered in Nassau, the Bahamas. He is an international motivational speaker, bestselling author, and business consultant.

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